The TWAS Regional Office for sub-Saharan Africa (TWAS-ROSSA) is hosted by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and aims to enhance the visibility of TWAS, identify eminent scientists for membership and awards, assess TWAS activities in the region, and organize activities in critical science and technology areas. TWAS-ROSSA provides networking opportunities, prizes, and fellowships for young scientists and has over 108 Fellows and 50 Young Affiliates across sub-Saharan Africa. Science academies are independent organizations that bring together eminent scientists to advance scientific knowledge and provide evidence-based science advice to address national and global challenges.

1. The World Academy of Sciences Regional
Office for sub-Saharan Africa
TWAS Opportunities and the importance of
mobilising Young Scientists in sub-Saharan
Africa, by Kholani Mbhiza

2. Introduction
 Hosted by ASSAf since 2015 and was previously
hosted by the African Academy of Sciences (AAS)
 TWAS-ROSSA is aligned to a sub-programme: Africa
Collaborations that facilitates ASSAf’s relations and
activities in the continent.
 TWAS-ROSSA objectives:
 Enhance the visibility of TWAS among senior, young and
promising scientists, policymakers, and the media
 Identify eminent scientists in the region and nominate them for
TWAS membership, as Young Affiliates and for awards;
 Assess the vitality and effectiveness of TWAS’ activities in the
region;
 Organise activities in areas of S&T of critical importance to the
region.

3. Regional Offices
There are over 108 Fellows and 50+ Young Affiliates and
Alumnis in sub-Saharan Africa from all Science Disciplines.
TWAS Young Affiliates NetworkTWAS Young Affiliates Network
 Regional Prize (3000 USD)
 Regional Young Scientists’ Prize
(2000 USD)
 AU-TWAS Prize (2000 USD)
 Visiting Scientists/
Fellowships/Scholarships
 Scientific Meetings: Regional Young
Scientists’ Conference; Science
Diplomacy Workshops; BioVision
Forum/Conferences
 Regional Prize (3000 USD)
 Regional Young Scientists’ Prize
(2000 USD)
 AU-TWAS Prize (2000 USD)
 Visiting Scientists/
Fellowships/Scholarships
 Scientific Meetings: Regional Young
Scientists’ Conference; Science
Diplomacy Workshops; BioVision
Forum/Conferences

4. TWAS-ROSSA Linkages
Network of African
Science Academies
(NASAC) which has 24
affiliated academies
Network of African
Science Academies
(NASAC) which has 24
affiliated academies
Madagascar has 2
TWAS Fellows; and 1
Young Affiliate
Madagascar has 2
TWAS Fellows; and 1
Young Affiliate
Madagascar's National
Academy of Arts, Letters and
Sciences (1902)
Madagascar's National
Academy of Arts, Letters and
Sciences (1902)
Participation of Women in our scientific
activities/leadership and governance is
very critical most especially in our
continent. Thus establishment of OWSD
national chapter is key to facilitate this
process
Participation of Women in our scientific
activities/leadership and governance is
very critical most especially in our
continent. Thus establishment of OWSD
national chapter is key to facilitate this
process

5. What is an Academy of Science?
• An assembly / fellowship of intellectuals / scientists
dedicated to the advancement of scientific knowledge
within the society.
• The two fold mandates for any science academy are:
 to honour distinguished scholars in the country where they
operate in all fields of scientific enquiry
 to generate evidence-based solutions to national and
global challenges
• The mandates of academies span over one government
department/ministry to civil society and science advice to
all matters that affect society through evidence based.

6. National Science Academies
• Merit-based Academies of Science have a crucial and
collaborative role to play in supporting the implementation
of STI policies.
• Academies of Science are independent organisations of
individuals that bring together, as members, the most
eminent scientists (nationally, regionally or globally) and
that elect new members only on the basis of merit and
accomplishment.
• Most of them are established through an Act of Parliament
and work with or closely with the Ministry/Department of
Science and Technology.
• An academy of science provides science advice that is
evidence-based, multi-sectoral (includes scientists,
professions, business, government) and is without vested
interests

7. Power of Science Academies
 Excellence: Members are most accomplished scientists
elected by peers on merit
 Independence: Power to express independent,
objective, unbiased and evidence-based opinion on
topical science-based issues
 Mobilisation: Power to mobilise best scientific minds to
give expert advice on critical problems
 Networking and Diplomacy: Power to reach out to all
other academies and act jointly to address Global and
Regional Challenges
 Every African Country should have a Senior Academy
of Science and a Young Academy.

8. Important functions of an active academy
• Recognise and reward scientific
excellence and achievements
• Foster next generation of science
leaders: (nurture and mentor young
scientific talent, prizes, research grants
and conferences for young scientists)
• Facilitate linkages with scientific
communities abroad; and Disseminate
and exchange scientific knowledge
• Recognise and reward scientific
excellence and achievements
• Foster next generation of science
leaders: (nurture and mentor young
scientific talent, prizes, research grants
and conferences for young scientists)
• Facilitate linkages with scientific
communities abroad; and Disseminate
and exchange scientific knowledge
• Promote public understanding of
science (discussion meetings,
public lectures, media and science
centres)
• Promote science education
• Promote public understanding of
science (discussion meetings,
public lectures, media and science
centres)
• Promote science education
• Act as boundary organisation to
link best scientists with leading
development practitioners, in
public and private sectors, to
address sustainability problems
• Collaborate with private sector to
facilitate development, transfer
and diffusion of affordable green
technologies
• Compile and disseminate
successful experiences in the
application of S & T to sustainability
problems
• Act as boundary organisation to
link best scientists with leading
development practitioners, in
public and private sectors, to
address sustainability problems
• Collaborate with private sector to
facilitate development, transfer
and diffusion of affordable green
technologies
• Compile and disseminate
successful experiences in the
application of S & T to sustainability
problems
• Independent, credible, expert advice
on issues of national importance:
(R&D policy and funding, application
of scientific research and new
technologies)
• Advice on critical issues of national /
regional / global concern
• Independent, credible, expert advice
on issues of national importance:
(R&D policy and funding, application
of scientific research and new
technologies)
• Advice on critical issues of national /
regional / global concern

9. Conferences, Workshop & Networking Events
 TWAS-ROSSA and its partners provide opportunities for
networking with peers, experts, policy makers and etc.

10. Conferences, Workshop & Networking Events
 Publicising and creating awareness of TWAS
opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa

11. Contact Details
Prof Roseanne Diab
ASSAf Executive Officer & TWAS-ROSSA Coordinator
roseanne@assaf.org.za
Mr Stanley Maphosa
ASSAf International Liaison Manager
stanley@assaf.org.za
Ms Phyllis Kalele
Senior Liaison Officer, Africa Collaborations
phyllis@assaf.org.za
Mr Kholani Mbhiza
TWAS-ROSSA Secretariat
twasrossa@assaf.org.za
+27 12 349 6638
Website: www.twas-rossa.org.za
Twitter: @TWAS_ROSSA
Facebook: The World Academy of Science Regional Office for sub-Saharan Africa.