Future Africa and ISC Regional Engagement Project

Future Africa and ISC's Collaborative Scoping and Mapping Project

The positive developments and persistent challenges in African science entail that the global science system must collaborate with the continent. As part of this process, Future Africa and the International Science Council initiated a 2-year collaborative project to convene a consortium of partners to collaborate on leading a pan-African scoping and development process with the following objectives: 

• Review the current state of African sciences and science systems and the associated opportunities and challenges posed.
• Explore collaborative avenues to accelerate African science system development, and enhance its voice, visibility, and influence in the global science arena.
• Ascertain interest and commitment of African science system leadership to collaborate in pursuing next-level action to advance African science systems.
• Explore the institutional presence, the complementary role, and support of the ISC and other international multilateral institutions in advancing African science.

Milestones

• Comprehensive stakeholder mapping exercise
• Desk research
• Open consultations – through surveys, interviews, and hybrid convenings across multiple sectors and regions
• Communication, including reporting
• Drafting of a fundraising prospectus and strategy

Value Proposition to STI African Stakeholders

• The possibility to expand their own pan-African and global networks, for example, through meetings with stakeholders on the continent.
• To have influence in ISC's development and strategy that is relevant to Africa.
• To be part of the conceptualisation of a global platform for African science.

Expected Outcome

• A report and proposal to the ISC Governing Board will be provided by January 2025, to coincide with the ISC’s General Assembly.
• The report will suggest recommendations on collaborative avenues to accelerate the development of African science and enhance its voice, visibility, and influence in the global arena.
• The report is also expected to provide recommendations on the ISC’s future role and institutional presence in Africa, as well as an envisioned and feasible implementation pathway.

Steering Committee and Implementation Team

The Steering Committee will provide strategic guidance to the scoping and mapping exercise. Members include: 

1. Daya Reddy, Acting-Vice Chancellor, University of Cape Town, South Africa (chair)
2. Oladoyin Odubanjo, Executive Director, Nigerian Academy of Sciences/INGSA, Nigeria
3. Lisa Korsten, President, African Academy of Sciences, South Africa
4. Christian Acemah, Executive Director, Uganda National Academy of Sciences, Uganda
5. Isabella Aboderin, Director, Perivoli Africa Research Centre (PARC), University of Bristol, UK
6. Nokuthula Mchunu, Deputy-Director, African Open Science Platform, South Africa
7. Mavoarilala Claudine Ramiarison, Director de Research – Technical advisor and Project coordinator, Madagascar Ministère de l’Enseignement Superieur et de la Recherche Scientifique Madagascar
8. Dorothy Ngila, Director, Strategic Partnerships, National Research Foundation, South Africa
9. Jackie Kado, Executive Director, Network of African Academies, Kenya
10. Priscilla Kolibea Mante, Global Young Academy steering committee co-chair & Professor of Neuropharmacology, KNUST, Ghana
11. Ahmed Bawa, Professor, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
12. Kevin Govender, Director, International Astronomical Union (IAU) Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD), South Africa

The implementation team will be responsible for the implementation of the process. Members include:

1. Heide Hackmann, Director, Future Africa
2. Farai Kapfudzaruwa, Research & Strategic Partnerships Manager, Future Africa
3. Jason Owen, Future Literacy Manager, Future Africa
4. Clarietta Chagwiza, Senior Postdoctoral Fellow, Future Africa
5. Alison Meston, Communications Director, International Science Council

Stay Informed 

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• For inquiries, email Dr Farai Kapfudzaruwa (farai.kapfudzaruwa@up.ac.za)