Advancing Scientific Collaboration Between Africa and the United States

The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) partners with the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to foster international research collaborations across continents.

Fifty outstanding African scientists, engineers, and medical professionals will engage with 50 counterparts from the U.S. to discuss exciting advances and opportunities in their scientific fields through the U.S.-Africa Frontiers Symposium. The symposium, taking place from 12-14 October 2022 in Nairobi, Kenya, will provide a platform for scientific exchange and dialogue among early-to-mid-career researchers from Africa and the U.S., including the African science diaspora, with the aim of facilitating research collaboration within and beyond the region.

The U.S.-Africa Frontiers Symposium will catalyze the convergence of research, innovation, and cross-pollination of ideas across five main disciplines, namely, Artificial Intelligence, Materials Science, Biodiversity, Infectious Diseases, and Climate Change and Food Security.

“The AAS recognizes that international collaborations are crucial for the advancement of Science, Technology, and Innovation in Africa. The Symposium provides a platform for early career researchers to network and create partnerships to advance science on the continent” says Professor Felix Dapare Dakora, President of the African Academy of Sciences.

According to Professor Catherine Ngila, Acting Executive Director of the African Academy of Sciences, “The Symposium will showcase excellent science from across all disciplines and will enable early career researchers to share experiences and exchange ideas on how they can work together to transform lives in Africa through science.”

The U.S.-Africa Symposium responds to an urgent need to strengthen international research collaborations across disciplines, geographies, and sectors to help find solutions to pressing global challenges. Details of the symposium are available at: U.S.-Africa Frontiers program.

Dr. Dalal Najib, Senior Director, Science and Engineering Capacity Development at NASEM, adds that “The U.S. National Academies have been conducting Frontiers symposia for the past three decades both domestically and internationally. These meetings convene brilliant young researchers in an interdisciplinary setting to exchange knowledge and build new collaborations. This year’s US-Africa Frontiers symposium is a very special event as it is the first regional Frontiers symposium bringing together African researchers with their US counterparts”

The symposium is sponsored by the Rutter Foundation, Office of Naval Research Global, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and IBM.

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NOTES TO EDITOR

About the African Academy of Sciences

The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) is a non-aligned, non-political, not-for-profit pan-African organisation whose vision is to see transformed lives on the African continent through science. Our tripartite mandate is recognising excellence, providing advisory and think tank functions, and implementing key Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) programmes addressing Africa’s developmental challenges.

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About the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM)

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine provide independent, objective advice to inform policy with evidence, spark progress and innovation, and confront challenging issues for the benefit of society.

Follow us on Twitter @theNASEM I Facebook National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine I Website www.nationalacademies.org/home