UNIÃO AFRICANA

Directorate of Information and Communication

PRESS RELEASE N0. 34  /21 AU SUMMIT

African Union Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Awards 2013

Addis Ababa  27^th May 2013 – The African Union Commission offers Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Awards 2013 to nationals of the African Union (AU) Member States who have made remarkable achievements and support  the use and development of science and technology in Africa.

This year’s awards ceremony took place on Sunday 26^th May 2013, during the 21^st Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of States and Governments, at the AU headquarters,  Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 

The  Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Awards 2013 were presented on behalf of the assembly  by Mr. Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the African Union, to Prof. Nabil A. Ibrahim from Egypt, recipient of the Basic Sciences,Technology and Innovation Award and to Prof. Michael John Wingfield from South Africa, recipient of the Life and Earth Sciences Award.

In her remarks at the occasion, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, AUC Chairperson, said that the Commission has generated tremendous momentum in deploying science as a tool for development in Africa. She added that, with the support of its development partners, the Commission has launched a number of programs including the African Union Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Awards, “as a way to strengthen science and technology capacities; to popularize science among our citizens; to empower those who are engaged in research; to celebrate their achievements and excellence; and to promote all efforts to transform scientific research into sustainable development of the continent” she added. (Please find full speech of the Chairperson on the AU website www.au.int)

Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Prof. Michael John Wingfield urged Africa to commit to build the continent’s capacities. “We call upon the leaders of Africa, to join forces and to seriously commit to building capacity in science and technology”. He said what is needed is sustained support over a long period. “A key issue in developing science and technology is clearly education, not only education at the tertiary level but at every level from grade school and upwards”.