|
[About USAFAS][ USAFAS Home][ EPS Home ][Contact Infromation] Physics of Materials and Material Science Conference Conference topics Workshop Proposals Conference Benefits Paper submission Frequently Asked Questions Program Committee Travel Information Conference Site Contact Information Upcoming Conferences Conferencesin Africa |
 [Program Committee][Call for Papers][Sponsors] [Registration][Travel Information][Workshop Proposals][Conf erence Site][Frequently Asked Questions][Join USAFAS]
US-Africa Fundamental and Applied Sciences Conference (USAFAS) First DraftDr. Abebe Kebede (Physics) I. background and rational" Scientific and technological capabilities are part of "human Capital". Among others the human capital include scientists engineers engaged in pure and applied research activities. The role of Fundamental and Applied Sciences has been expressed in several science and technology related conferences in Africa. For example, conferences sponsored by the International Optical Society (IOS) in Dakar, Senegal and the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) , Durban , South Africa clearly indicate the move by African institutions towards recognizing the vitality of fundamental and applied sciences for sustainable development in a particular technology revolution. Perhaps the most significant conference in Sub Saharan Africa is the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) 7th General Conference in Dakar, Senegal. It approved what it calls the "Dakar Declaration". The declaration proposes the establishment and development of centers of excellence in Africa to conduct basic [and applied] research through South-South and North-South co-operation. The declaration also proposes the establishment of regional and national innovation centers dedicated to exploring the relationships among the basic sciences, technology, policy and management in Africa and throughout the developing world. All these conferences expressed a persistent call for North-South collaboration for effective education. The International Conference on the Development of Science and Technology in Africa (UNIVERSITY OF NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA JULY 27-31, 1998) stressed the importance of partnerships and linkages among African educational and industrial institutions as well as their international counterparts. The importance of such partnerships is advocated by UNESCOâs Physics Action Plan which proposes to revitalize international co-operation with emphasis on the very difficult situation of universities in developing countries as well as to enhance communications among all physicists. A living example of such collaboration is the establishment of the Edward Bouchet ICTP institute by Professor Abdus Salam, in October 1988, with the purpose of facilitating scientific partnerships between African and African American physicists and applied mathematicians. Since its inception the Edward Bouchet-ICTP institute conducted several conferences related to fundamental and applied sciences with the intent of encouraging focused and impactful research at African Institutions in areas of microelectronics, quantum electronics, laser physics, environmental science and energy generation and storage. Despite such significant activities in a hand full of countries in Africa, the participation of US scientists, particularly those in fundamental and applied sciences, is limited. This might be due to the absence of concrete data about the capability of African institutions, expertise, potential research areas for US and African Scientists to collaborate. To our knowledge with the exception of South Africa, there is no single resource or information about capabilities, status of scientific research in Africa. At a recent workshop organized by American Physical Society , a group discussion on collaborations and scientific cooperation noted that the US and some European countries do not offer much in terms of support for physical science research in developing countries. This coupled with the lack of adequate local and governmental support diminished the role of science in shaping the development of these countries. Consistent with the mission of the National Science Foundation, the problems described above can be addressed through the establishment of US-Africa Fundamental and Applied Sciences Conference (USAFAS). It is the mission of NSF to "enable U.S. researchers and educators to advance their work through international collaboration" and to ensure that future generations of U.S. scientists and engineers gain professional experience overseas early in their careers". Through USAFAS conferences we propose to identify common priorities in areas of fundamental and applied sciences, which in turn would lead to effective collaborations in science education and research in Africa. The conferences emphasize the participation of qualified undergraduates, graduate students as well as women, minority and disabled scientists and engineers. USAFAS particularly focuses on designated research priorities to establish a base line for level of support and involvement US scientists and institutions who would be interested to fund African scientific programs The success of the conference will depend on
the support from prominent scientists in Africa and US as well as
from indigenous scientific and educational organizations. The emergence
of active African Scientific and academic societies, such as the Senegalese
Academy of Science (Senegal), African Academy of Sciences (Kenya), Ethiopian
Physical Society( USA and Ethiopia), Ethiopian Scientific Society (USA),
Ethiopian Chemical Society, Ethiopian Mathematical Association, Association
of African Universities (AAU), clearly show the need for organized collection
and dissemination of current scientific research in fundamental and
applied sciences.
I. Project SummaryThe interplay between the fundamental and applied sciences are leading toward better understanding of nature and improvement of quality of life. This proposal describes the establishment of an interdisciplinary conference called US-Africa Fundamental and Applied Science conferences, referred to in this proposal as the USAFAS. The conferences will create a unique opportunity for faculty members and students in US and African Universities to benefit from cutting age science education and research and the experiences of educators and researchers in the US and Africa. USAFAS will become a forum to devise strategies for a sustained development of these fields and to assess the capabilities and the potential of African institutions. As a result the conferences will pave the way for inducting African scientists into the global scientific community. The major goals of USAFAS areAs a result of scientific exchange and collaborations the quality of research , USAFAS conferences will enable US scientists and institutions to build effective partnerships with African institutions to empower African scientists by establishing consistent and lasting collaboration. The conferences will identify science education and research capabilities of African institutions. Most of all the USAFAS conferences will be the forum to share some of the highest quality academic and industrial faculty by facilitating the participation of leading scientists in these fields. The conferences will publish research papers and reviews in proceedings format. The conferences will be designed to stimulate quantity and quality of graduate programs at African institutions by initiating exciting interdisciplinary interactions across departmental, school, and institutional boundaries. This in turn results in critical technical skills that greatly enhance future research opportunities. The conferences introduce new teaching methodologies and the technologies associated with them. The conferences will encourage, the participation of women and minorities by providing support to qualified graduate students to participate in research at African Universities. III. Organization of USAFAS ConferencesUSAFAS conferences will be based in NC A&T State University and managed by the International Program Office. The director is Dr. A. Kebede. A standing International Advisory Board will be established to oversee the overall quality and effectiveness of the conference. Two additional organizing committees will be formed one at a host country the other in the US, which work towards a successful conference. Members of the committee are experts in the research areas relevant to a given conference topic. We plan to maintain a listserve and a website of USAFAS. The conference topics change depending on the level the level of interest set by preceding conferences and information gathered during an online discussion among potential participants. The conference will be held every two years at a selected city in Africa but every year in the USIV. Potential outcomes of USAFAS conferences
V. General topics of USAFAS future conferences
VI. Potential participants and sponsorsFinancial assistance will be sought from NSF, DOE, USDE, USAID and non-governmental organization which have a vested interest in science education research in Africa. Copies of this proposal will be submitted to such organization to solicit support for student and faculty travel in the host country and other parts of Africa. The organizations include ( not limited to )
VII. Reading Materials |