Foster science leadership to advance sustainability

The Global South faces pressing challenges in sectors such as water, climate, and food security, demanding stronger scientific and sustainability leadership. Academic institutions across Africa are at the forefront of fostering this leadership, but there is a growing need for more coordinated agendas and regional collaborations.

In an interview during the Sustainability, Research and Innovation Congress (SRI 2024) Africa Satellite event,

Professor Maano Ramutsindela,  a professor of human geography in the department of environmental and geographical science at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the Future Africa Research Chair in sustainability transformations at the University of Pretoria, emphasises that “leadership is required in all dimensions of life – and science is no exception,” highlighting the need for coordinated agendas and regional collaboration in African universities.

He advocates for interdisciplinary approaches, stating, “We need multi-disciplinary approaches and we need leadership that would help us understand the challenges.” Ramutsindela also stresses the importance of investing in science for societal benefit, urging African leaders to recognise the potential of science for economic growth. This leadership can guide effective research collaborations, as seen in organisations like the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA).

Read the full article published in University World News on 5 September 2024.