Current and Past News Events
New York Times Africa
EBASI Potpourri
Download and open the above Potpourri pdf portfolio file for some selected EBASI documents and presentations
The Migration Policy Institute (MPI) “is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank in Washington, DC dedicated to analysis of the movement of people worldwide.”
“MPI provides analysis, development, and evaluation of migration and refugee policies at local, national, and international levels. It aims to meet the demand for pragmatic and thoughtful responses to the challenges and opportunities that large-scale migration, whether voluntary or forced, presents to communities and institutions in an increasingly integrated world.
Founded in 2001 by Demetrios G. Papademetriou and Kathleen Newland, MPI grew out of the International Migration Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Headquartered in Washington, DC, MPI has an office in New York, with a presence in the United Kingdom. In 2011, MPI established the Brussels-based Migration Policy Institute Europe, which builds upon the work that MPI has done for years in Europe.”
Philosophy of the MPI:
“MPI is guided by the philosophy that international migration needs active and intelligent management. When such policies are in place and are responsibly administered, they bring benefits to immigrants and their families, communities of origin and destination, and sending and receiving countries.”
A very interesting, informative, and relevant MPI article:
Jie Zong and Jeanne Batalova, Sub-Saharan African Immigrants in the United States, Migration Information Source, May 3, 2017,
https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/sub-saharan-african-immigrants-united-states.Professor Sekazi K. Mtingwa (EBASI Council Member) was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring by the National Science Foundation on behalf of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. The Award recognizes those with significant contributions to mentoring and significant contributions to participants in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Professor Anthony M. Johnson (Founding EBASI Council Member) was selected by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) as a Life Fellow, a special honor reserved for those who have distinguished themselves through sustained and lasting contributions to the IEEE.
Professor Malik Maaza (EBASI Council Member) received the African Union (AU) prize of scientific excellence. The Basic Science, Technology and Innovation Award recognizes Professor Malik Maaza as the pioneer and the architect of nanosciences and nanotechnology in Africa.The awards were presented by President Paul Kagame, newly elected Chair of the AU, and Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU Commission. The European Union (EU) was represented at the Opening Ceremony by Neven Mimica, European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development. The prestigious Award programme was launched by the AU in 2009 and the EU has been supporting it since 2012, with the allocation of USD 603,048 in 2017 alone. The Awards aim to encourage research contributing to the wellbeing and improved quality of life of African citizens.
Dr. Maaza was also Senior Research Scientist at iThemba LABS and won the NSTF-GreenMatter Award at the 20th NSTF-South32 Awards held on 28 June 2018. His Award recognizes his work on biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability and a greener economy over the last 5 to 10 years.
Professor Maaza also received the World Cultural Council (WCC) National Research Foundation (NRF South Africa) with the JOSÉ VASCONCELOS World Award of Education for 2018 for his positive impact on the cultural legacy of mankind.
Also see the announcement by the World Cultural Council which states that ``Professor Mâaza has worked tirelessly to raise funds worldwide in support of researchers from less affluent countries. He has helped scientists from war zones in Africa and the Middle East pursue their research and has organised periodic exchanges between renowned scientists of Israeli and Arabic origin, seeking to build bridges through science."
The WCC Jury was additionally impressed by Professor Mâaza’s promotion of female scientists in conservative communities. Indeed, ``His dedication to the cause of women in science is seen through his role as a member of the international as well as the Sub-Saharan juries of the L’Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science. He is a major player in promoting the role of women in science, especially those living in low and medium income countries. He is also a peace activist, using science as a powerful path for fostering human relations between young researchers.
His work as UNESCO Chair has had a huge impact on building capacities among the future generation of African scientists."
"Snapshots of Mathematics in Sub-Saharan Africa"
Edited by Allyn Jackson and Carol Shubin
Prof. Ronald E. Mickens, (Distinguished Fuller E. Callaway Professor of Physics at Clark Atlanta University and Founding EBASI Council Member) was awarded the 2018 Blackwell-Tapia Prize. The prize honors David H. Blackwell and Richard A. Tapia, two distinguished mathematical scientists who inspired generations of African American, Latino/Latina, and Native American students and professionals in mathematical sciences. It recognizes "a mathematician who has contributed significantly to research in his or her field of expertise, and who has served as a role model for mathematical scientists and students from under-represented minority groups or has contributed in other significant ways to addressing the problem of the under- representation of minorities" in mathematics. The prize will be presented at the Ninth Blackwell-Tapia Conference and Award Ceremony on Nov. 9- 10, 2018, at the Institute for Computational and Experimental Research in Mathematics (ICERM) at Brown University in Providence, RI.
Prof. Anthony M. Johnson (Founding EBASI Council Member) presented on March 7, 2018, an Invited Presentation entitled "A Career Encompassing Optical Physics, Diversity and Mentoring" at the American Physical Society March Meeting 2018, Los Angeles, California. His Abstract may be viewed at: http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/MAR18/Session/L06.2
Prof. Sekazi K. Mtingwa (EBASI Council Member) presented on March 7, 2018, an Invited Presentation entitled "Lightsources for Africa, the Americas & Middle East Project (LAAMP): An IUPAP and IUCr ICSU-Funded Project" at the American Physical Society March Meeting 2018, Los Angeles, California. His Abstract may be viewed at: http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/MAR18/Session/L16.1.
Prof. Sekazi K. Mtingwa (EBASI Council Member) has been elected Chair of the Lightsources for Africa, the Americas and Middle East Project (LAMMP) Executive Committee.
EBASI Council Member Prof. Kennedy Reed begins his three year term as IUPAP President and extends his condolences on the passing of Prof. Francis K. A. Allotey
In Memoriam
Prof. Francis K. A. Allotey
Prof. Joseph A. Johnson III.
Dr. K. Renee Horton, Prof. Malik Maaza, and Prof. Stephen C. McGuire were elected EBASI Council Members, December, 2017.
Prof. Ahmadou Wagué (Founding EBASI Council Member) was elected American Physical Society International Councilor. His term begins 1 January 2018.
THE WORLD ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (TWAS)
for the advancement of science in developing countries
Professor Aba Bentil Andam (EBASI Council Member) has been elected as the new President for the Ghana Academy of Arts (GAAS) and Sciences. Prof. Andam will be holding the office for two years from January 2017 to December 2018.
Ghana’s first female physicist calls for gender parity in science
CSIR assists women to embrace science
Ghana’s Arts and Sciences Academy Gets 2nd Female Boss
Prof. Sekazi K. Mtingwa (EBASI Council Member) will share the American Physical Society 2017 Robert R. Wilson Prize with theoretical physicists James D. Bjorken (professor emeritus at Stanford University and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory) and Anton Piwinski (scientist at the Deutsches Elektronen Synchrotron [DESY] in Germany) for Achievement in the Physics of Particle Accelerators for ground-breaking and outstanding theoretical work on particle beams in accelerators. We note that Dr. Mtingwa is the first African-American scientist to receive a Prize from the American Physical Society. He is also a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a Fellow of the American Physical Society and a principal partner at Triangle Science, Education & Economic Development, LLC, in Hillsborough, North Carolina, where he consults on issues relative to science, engineering and education.
Dr. Mtingwa also received the Distinguished Service Award from the American Nuclear Society at its November 9, 2015 ANS Winter Meeting for “members who have made outstanding contributions to the development and understanding of the goals and policies of the Society or who have made outstanding non-technical contributions to the nuclear science and engineering field”. Dr. Mtingwa initiated and led an important Nuclear Workforce Readiness study for the Panel on Public Affairs of the American Physical Society. The “landmark study detailed the workforce and infrastructure needs that will be required to continue the development of nuclear power as a viable energy source in the U.S.”.
Prof. Joseph A. Johnson III (Founding EBASI Council Member) was awarded the Bouchet Leadership Award Medal at the Bouchet Conference on Diversity and Graduate Education held April 2016 at Yale University. He is also a Fellow of the American Physical Society and a recipient of its Bouchet Award.
Prof. Sekazi K. Mtingwa (EBASI Council Member) has been elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) October, 2015. He is also a Fellow of the American Physical Society.
Dr. Mtingwa was also appointed to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel as a part-time technical judge in 2016. His areas of research include nuclear, accelerator and high energy physics, as well as nuclear energy policy. He is a principal partner at Triangle Science, Education & Economic Development, LLC, in Hillsborough, North Carolina, where he consults on issues relative to science, engineering and education, most recently organizing workshops to introduce university faculty and students to the big user facilities at the national laboratories.
Prof. Kennedy Reed (EBASI Council Member and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory physicist) has been elected president-designate of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP). The mission of the IUPAP is “To assist in the worldwide development of physics, to foster international cooperation in physics, and to help in the application of physics toward solving problems of concern to humanity”. Dr. Reed is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and also a Fellow of the American Physical Society. Prof. Reed received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring from President Barack Obama on July 9, 2009.
Prof. Francis Allotey (EBASI Founding Council Member and Ghanaian Mathematical Physicist ) has been elected vice-president at Large of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP). The mission of the IUPAP is “To assist in the worldwide development of physics, to foster international cooperation in physics, and to help in the application of physics toward solving problems of concern to humanity”. He is also a Fellow of the American Physical Society.
Prof. Milton D. Slaughter (EBASI Founding Council Member) has been elected to the permanent rank of Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Dr. Slaughter's Fellowship citation reads as follows: "For contributions to non-perturbative elementary particle and nuclear physics, and for the creation of effective educational programs involving minority and female STEM students". He is also a Fellow of the American Physical Society and a Charter Fellow of the National Society of Black Physicists. Prof. Slaughter was an Elected General Member-at-Large and Executive Committee Member of the American Physical Society Forum on Education (1993-1995 term) and Chair and Member of the American Physical Society Committee on Minorities in Physics (1989-1991).
Prof. Anthony M. Johnson (EBASI Founding Council Member) was a participant of a 5-member international delegation that proposed to the United Nations General Assembly on May 16, 2013 that the Year 2015 be declared the International Year of Light. Dr. Johnson is a past President and a Fellow of the Optical Society of America: a Fellow of the American Physical Society; a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science; a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; and a Charter Fellow of the National Society of Black Physicists.
Prof. Mohamed H.A. Hassan (EBASI Founding Council Member and former Executive Director of TWAS) was re-elected co-chairman of IAP, the global network of science academies February 28, 2013.
Prof. Jean-Pierre Ezin (EBASI Founding Council Member) and Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology, Department of Human Resources, Science and Technology, AFRICAN UNION presented the
Opening Remarks
Workshop on Establishment of a Continental Accreditation Agency for Higher Education in Africa,10 – 11 April 2013, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Prof. Francis K. A. Allotey (EBASI Founding Council Member and ICTP Scientific Council Member) received an honorary IOP fellowship. His citation reads ``For his inspirational role in the promotion of physics in Africa, in particular for his role in establishing the African Physical Society. " June 26, 2012.
Prof. Mohamed H.A. Hassan (EBASI Founding Council Member and former Executive Director of TWAS), has been awarded the Abdus Salam Medal for outstanding achievements and enduring commitment to TWAS. June 14, 2012.
Narrative of an Oral Presentation given during the March 2012 Meeting of the American Physical Society Boston, Massachusetts (~3 MB)
The creation and utilization of science and technology in most African countries lag behind those on the other continents. This gap must be closed if the nations of Africa ever hope to join the ranks of the world’s most economically competitive countries. Despite the high technological development of a few countries, such as South Africa, the vast majority of African countries are struggling in the high tech arena. Among international initiatives in Africa, the African Laser Centre stands out and must be supported by the governments of the participating institutions. Its genesis is the result of two independent efforts. One driven by the National Laser Centre (NLC) of South Africa and the other by the Edward Bouchet – Abdus Salam Institute (EBASI), which is affiliated with the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy.
2010 National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP) Annual Conference
February 13, 2010, Washington, D. C. , USA
Dr. Kennedy J. Reed was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring by President Barack Obama on July 9, 2009. The award recognizes the crucial role that such mentoring plays in the academic and personal development of underrepresented minority students studying science or engineering . In addition to a White House honor ceremony, Dr. Reed will receive an award of $10,000 to advance his mentoring efforts.
What: The Seventh International EBASI Conference
The Seventh EBASI International Conference on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development
Where: The Université Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar, Senegal.
The African Laser Atomic, Molecular and Optical Sciences Network (LAM Network) and The Edward Bouchet Abdus Salam Institute (EBASI) in collaboration with the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) and the Laboratory Atomes Lasers at the Université Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar (UCAD)
When: 10 to 16 January 2010
Details: Invited and contributed papers, poster sessions, exhibitions, and laboratory demonstrations open to scientists, engineers and medical professionals from all countries said Professor Ahmadou Wagué
What: International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) EBASI Presentation
Where: The Seventh EBASI International Conference on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development was held at the Université Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar, Senegal
When: 6 May 2009
Dr. Sekazi K. Mtingwa has been elected to the permanent rank of Fellow of the American Physical Society by his peers in the Division of Physics of Beams. Dr. Mtingwa's Fellowship citation reads as follows: "For his definitive treatment of Intrabeam scattering, his contributions to the wakefield acceleration, and his early recognition of the fixed target physics potential of the next generation electron-positron collider."
ICO/ICTP GALLIENO DENARDO PRIZE 2009
CHARLES S. BROWN MEMORIAL FUND
Joint Annual Conference, February 11-15, 2009, Nashville, TN, USA
National Society of Black Physicists and the National Society of Hispanic Physicists
Milton Dean Slaughter (Presenter), Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
Sekazi K. Mtingwa, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
Anthony M. Johnson, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA
Where: Accra, Ghana
When: 11-14 September 2007
What: US-Africa Workshop on Nanosciences
Where: Hosted by iThemba Labs in Cape Town, South Africa
When: January 27-28, 2007
Nanophysics.us for further details.
What: The Sixth International Edward Bouchet Abdus Salam Institute Conference
Where: Hosted by iThemba Labs in Cape Town, South Africa
When: January 24-26, 2007
iThemba Labs EBASI 2007 Website for further details.
What: The Fifth International Edward Bouchet Abdus Salam Institute Conference
Where: Tunisia, North Africa. First ever EBASI activity in North Africa. The chief local organizers of the conference were Dr. Taha Sboui (deceased) of the Tunisian Association of Applied Mathematics and EBASI Council Members Prof. F. K. A. Allotey and Prof. Jean-Pierre Ezin.
When: August 11-15, 2003
What: The Fourth International Edward Bouchet Abdus Salam Institute Conference
Where: Cotonou, Benin, West Africa. The focus of this conference was on the implications and relevance of current advances in pure and applied physics for emerging telecommunications technologies. The meeting was planned in conjunction with the Telecommunication Authority of Benin, the Institute for Mathematics and Physical Sciences (IMSP) of the National University of Benin, and the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP).
When: August 6-10, 2001
What: The Third International Edward Bouchet Abdus Salam Institute Conference
Where: Gaborone, Botswana. EBASI was the sponsor and principal organizer of the conference. The primary financial supporter of the conference was ICTP along with the government of Botswana and a number of local institutions in Botswana. The conference was hosted by the University of Botswana (Department of Physics) and by the Society of African Physicists and Mathematicians (SAPAM).
When: August10-14, 1998
What: The Second International Edward Bouchet Abdus Salam Institute Conference
Where: University of Ghana - Legon in Accra, Ghana. It was jointly sponsored by ICTP, NSF, and the Ghanaian government, as well as the MacArthur and Rockefeller Foundations. The conference was hosted by the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences and by the Society of African Physicists and Mathematicians (SAPAM).
When: August 6-10, 2001
What:
The First International Edward Bouchet Abdus Salam Institute Conference
Where: Trieste, Italy. This seminal conference was jointly sponsored by the ICTP and Black American Friends of the ICTP (a support group created as an implementing vehicle for this activity). The conference was supported in part by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and organized by Prof. Joseph A. Johnson III (EBASI Founding Council Member) and Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam. Nineteen scientific papers were presented. In addition, there were workshops and discussions on the state of physics and mathematics on the African continent, the needs of African and African American graduate students, and methods to establish permanent professional relationships.
When: June 9-11, 1988