Berhanu Abegaz
Executive Director, African Academy of Sciences
Prof Berhanu Abegaz is the Executive Director of the African Academy of Sciences, a position he has held since 2011. Previously, he was Professor of chemistry of the University of Botswana for 17 years (1994-2011) and Addis Ababa University for 21 years (1973-1994). Abegaz has contributed to the rapid growth and development of the Academy that has been witnessed in recent years. During this time the Academy has secured recognition by the African Union and NEPAD, the technical executing agency of the Union. The number of Fellows and in particular women fellows has increased significantly. Abegaz has assisted in articulating the three important functions of the Academy, namely, recognizing excellence; providing think-tank functions, and engaging in programmatic activities. One of the achievements of the Academy under his leadership has been the development of partnerships with global funders and the establishment of AESA, the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa.