Date: 16 November 2022

It is not the first time that they meet. Professor Hubert Gijzen, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Regional Director and Representative of the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa and Dr. Peggy Oti-Boateng, recently appointed Executive Director of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS), have worked together before, notably at the UNESCO Regional Office of Harare, Zimbabwe.

“It’s like coming back home”, threw, joyfully, Dr. Boateng. The scientist with an engineer background used to be the Senior Science Program Specialist and the Coordinator of the African Network of Scientific and Technological Institutions (ANSTI) at the Regional Office for Eastern Africa in Nairobi, and in 2018 took the position of Director for Science Policy and Capacity Building in Paris where UNESCO has its headquarters. After retiring in 2022, she accepted the opportunity to become the ED of the AAS, established in 1985. “It is a wonderful opportunity to give back to Africa and to revive ANSTI. We can do a lot in this region and I am excited about this new assignment and possible partnership with UNESCO”, she explained.

The African Academy of Sciences elects distinguished scholars into its membership from all over Africa. AAS works in three key areas: environment and climate change (including water), health (main sector) and finally, science technology and innovation (training young scientist as entrepreneurs among other missions). The institution is funded by the European Union and being an affiliate of the African Union, also speaks on its behalf.

Prof. Hubert Gijzen showed enthusiasm over the possibilities of working with Dr. Peggy Oti-Boateng. “If we team up in various areas - and we can map them up in the coming months – then we can do the whole trajectory together, from the inception of the idea to the development of the concept notes, the resource mobilization, the development of projects and the implementation”, he explained.

In its effort to implement a more impact-oriented, larger and consolidated programmatic approach, embodied by a Regional Support Strategy and priority programmes in different area of work, UNESCO opens a new road for its partnerships. “Campus Africa” and “Water in times of Climate Change” are good examples of programmes that could be developed under a joint flag with AAS. Indeed, they come very close to its mandate. “We see an enormous potential to collaborate”, highlighted the Director.

During the meeting, Prof. Said Irandoust a Chemical Engineer from Sweden, presented his work to shape “Campus for Africa”. The concept is to mobilize academic institutions, research institutions and utilize the power of connectivity to develop high quality and relevant educational, training and capacity building programs in Africa.

Professor Hubert Gijzen and Dr. Peggy Oti-Boateng have identified other possible promising partnerships, to name a few: the establishment of Science Desks to build the capacities of African Science Journalists and the organization of an African Science Festival. Also, the promotion of capacity building on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) indicators as well as the promotion of STEM education and STI programmes on youth and gender empowerment.

The enhancement of inclusive knowledge and capacity strengthening for climate action, biodiversity, natural heritage, water and disaster risk reduction is also a priority on their agenda.

Finally, the two institutions will be keen to launch joint flag projects on topics such as: advancing regional and international cooperation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies and reinforcing research leadership and capacity development in Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts in Africa.

Original article published by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), linked here.