Technology. promoting excellence. in Science, and Innovation

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1 promoting excellence in Science, Technology and Innovation

2 Vision To have a society living in harmony with Nature using appropriate Science and Technology Mission To promote excellence in the fields of Science, Technology and Innovation for human development and welfare

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4 Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology Introduction The Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) is celebrating its 10 th Anniversary in, a young academy in terms of its number of years of existence, but one which true to its mission, has been active in promoting excellence in the fields of Science, Technology and Innovation for human development and welfare. MAST is proud that it has been able to federate the small, but vibrant community of scientists and technologists of Mauritius and its Diaspora on a common platform. In, it took the initiative of opening the membership of the Academy to social scientists so that the social perspective is also integrated in the discussion forum. Willing to encourage young scientists to participate in the exchange of ideas, MAST is assisting in the establishment of a Young Academy of Science, in Mauritius, in collaboration with the Global Young Academy (GYA), the voice of young scientists around the world from over 60 countries. Despite its short history, the Academy considers itself as a key learned society in Mauritius in reporting and sharing professional opinions for national agendas for the promotion of science. During the last decade, it has also enhanced its networking capacity by establishing strong linkages with other Academies around the world and more particularly the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC), of which it is a member. 2

5 MAST intends to consolidate its role as a thinktank to address issues on national and regional importance. The Academy s vision, as it heads towards the 2 nd decade of its existence, is to give new impetus into stirring up interest in science, encouraging excellence in scientific research, connecting and bringing together government, industries, academic and research experts to help the country meet its global challenges. Beyond Mauritius, MAST intends to pursue and strengthen its established links and collaboration with leading international organizations, private Foundations and Academies all over the world. Such relationships ensure that the Academy participates in discussions on issues of global importance. To mark the 10 th anniversary of the Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology, the Council has decided to organize two events on the theme: The role of Science and Technology in Smart Cities and other cities in Mauritius. The first event targets students and academia and the second one is intended for professionals and civil society. Both events will highlight the science and technology behind six major development projects which will have considerable impact upon the Mauritian society. Additionally, MAST has chosen to illustrate its activities and highlight its accomplishments over the last decade in this publication. We wish you pleasant reading. Jean Claude Autrey President 3

6 Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology A Brief History On 20 February 2006, a group of scientists and technologists with wide experience met for the first time at the Mauritius Research Council to discuss ways and means to set up an Academy of Science for Mauritius. Most countries had an Academy of Science, while Mauritius had none. The objective of the proposed Academy was to act as an independent, highlevel, thinktank on science and technology issues that affect the country, and to advise those in government and private sector accordingly. The proposed academy was to be purely a scientific and technological organization having membership of local and overseas Mauritians willing to contribute to its development process. It was stressed that the Academy would be apolitical while members were free to espouse any political views and seek the support, where necessary, of any government in power. After a few meetings and a lot of exhortation to potential members to participate, an Executive Council of nine members was elected, with Professor S. Jugessur as President and Dr A. Suddhoo as Secretary. The group drew up with a draft constitution that was sent to the Registrar of Associations. The Association was duly registered on 24 May. After registration, the group formally launched the Academy on 20 July at the Ranjiv Gandhi Science Centre, Belle Village, with the then Prime Minister Dr N. Ramgoolam, in the presence of Dr D. Balasubramanien the Secretary 4

7 General of the Academy for the Developing World (TWAS) and President of the Indian Academy of Sciences. Both guests were inducted as Honorary Fellows of the Academy, and fourteen other Mauritian members were inducted as the Founding Fellows of the Academy. This event was widely publicized in the country, and foreign academies were informed of its setting up. Immediately after the launch, the Executive Council started working on a 3year Strategic Plan for the period, which was launched at the University of Mauritius on 21 March, in the presence of a few dignitaries, including the then Prime Minister. On that occasion, another two Honorary Fellows were inducted, namely, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Infrastructure, Dr R. Beebeejaun, and Professor Joel de Rosnay of Cité des Sciences, Paris, along with other new Fellows and Members. Cooperation agreements have been signed with several international Academies and Councils including the global Inter Academy Panel (IAP), the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), the Indian National Science Academy (INSA), the Council of National Science Academies in Africa (NASAC), the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC). MAST members work jointly with these academies and councils on cooperative projects and members are invited to participate in each other s meetings and events. MAST members have contributed by presenting papers in workshops on topics such as Biotechnology, 5

8 Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology Water Resources, GMOs, Sustainable Agriculture, Climate Change and Health and have also contributed in NASAC publications as authors and editors. Recently a local Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Aeronautical Society of Mauritius (AeSM). Joint meetings are organized to promote space science and technology. The Founder President donated a significant sum to MAST to enable it to recognize young researchers in fields of science and technology. The Founder President s Award to young research scientists was launched in in collaboration with University of Mauritius (UoM). The first award was made in the field of Energy and the first winner was Mr Reezwan Khodabacus, student at UoM. In, out of the four Policy Booklets produced by NASAC a Communication Event for the one on Climate Change was held in Mauritius, in collaboration with ASSAf and NASAC. The Founder President s book on Science Based Development, Policy Issues has also been submitted to government to help them in the formulation of their policies. One of the first activities of the Council was to set up and launch the MAST website in collaboration with Mauritius Telecom in. The website was totally revamped in and is now hosted by the University of Mauritius. The Academy has been regularly publishing a newsletter cum journal, initially only a newsletter. Every year one or two issues of the MAST Newsletter and Journal are produced, with Dr Michael Atchia as editor, and disseminated 6

9 electronically worldwide, with hard copies sent to selected Mauritian policy makers. MAST is assisting in the setting up of an Academy of Young Scientists, in association with the Global Young Academy to encourage research and application of Science and Technology. The young scientists will work independently and participate in activities of the Global Young Academy. Social scientists are in demand when development projects are being implemented. Highly qualified such scientists are few. Hence MAST enlarged its mandate to include Social Scientists in its fold, by amending its Constitution accordingly. Recently it has also reviewed the conditions for induction of new members and associate members. As a young Academy, MAST has played significant role in mobilizing scientists and technologists in Mauritius. Their contribution has impacted on government policies on science education, energy awareness and development, water resources management, and on research. The collaboration with Mauritian institutions like the Mauritius Research Council, the Mauritius Sugarcane Industry Research Institute, the University of Mauritius, the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre, the Mauritius Institute of Education, the different relevant Ministries, together with regional and international Science Academies has been of great importance in improving the Science and Technology landscape in this island. Professor Soodursun Jugessur Founder President 7

10 Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology Events and Milestones Innovation seminar, Réduit, Mauritius On 21 February, the Academy organized a seminar on Innovation, with the participation of experts from the University of Mauritius, the Mauritius Research Council, and the Private Sector. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Planning, launched the seminar which was held at the University of Mauritius. The results were to form the basis for a National Innovation Policy. 8

11 Réduit, Mauritius 3year Strategic Plan The Strategic Plan consisted of five thrusts namely: capacity building in science and technology popularization of science and technology strengthening regional and global collaboration contribution to the formulation of a national science and technology policy development of a database of Mauritian scientists and technologists, science and technology institutions, resources, products and processes 9

12 Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology f Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), Réduit, Mauritius Understanding between MAST and the The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) established a framework of cooperation between ASSAf and MAST and was signed at the Regional Training Centre, Réduit on 8 June, by Professor S Jugessur on behalf of MAST and Dr R Diab on behalf of ASSAf. The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) aspires to be the apex organization for science and scholarship in South Africa, recognized and connected both nationally and internationally. ASSAf s strength resides in the quality and diversity of its Membership; internationally renowned scholars elected by peers, who give of their time voluntarily in the service of society. The Members are regarded as the brains trust of the nation. ASSAf uses its Members as a collective resource for evidencebased solutions to problems. The contracting parties agreed to use their best endeavours and in good faith to identify opportunities for collaboration. The collaboration between the contracting parties can take place, with mutual consent, by means of: exchange of scientists, research workers, specialists and scholars; exchange of scientific and technical information; joint identification of research projects and their formulation and implementation; 10

13 joint science and technology research and development programmes for industry and other fields; exchange of knowledge and knowhow; sharing of facilities for research and development as may be mutually agreed upon; and other forms of cooperation as may be mutually agreed upon. International Conference on: The Impact of Climate Change in Relation to Food Security in Africa, Nairobi, Kenya This International Conference, organized by the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) with the support of the Netherlands Royal Academy of Arts and Science (KNAW), took place in Nairobi, Kenya, on 2325 February. It was one of the first conferences to provide inputs for a NASAC Policy Booklet on Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience in Africa, which was published in. 11

14 Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology International Conference on Water Management Issues in Africa organized by MAST for NASAC, Réduit, Mauritius A conference on Water Management Issues in Africa was organized by MAST for NASAC at the Mauritius Sugarcane Industry Research Institute from 28 to 31 March, with the participation of 16 African Science Academies, as well as the Dutch and German Science Academies, with over 200 participants. The objective of the conference was to exchange ideas and experiences on water management issues in Africa amongst researchers, policy makers, governmental institutions, nongovernmental organizations, the private sector and other stakeholders. The recommendations were related to the following issues: provision of safe drinking water; ensuring access to adequate sanitation; transboundary water basins; water for food security, hydropower for energy security, meeting growing water demand, water pollution and the need to enhance capacity to address water challenges. 12

15 Summit of South Asian Academies, INSA, New Delhi, India MAST was invited by the Indian National Science Academy to participate in a Summit of South Asian Academies in New Delhi from 6 to 9 September. Three members from Mauritius attended the Summit, namely, Professor Soodursun Jugessur, Dr Yousuf Maudarbocus, and Dr Michael Atchia. The Summit was attended by almost all countries of the region, and important papers on Science and Technology Issues, and International and Regional cooperation, were presented. Participants also had the occasion to see a demonstration of biofuel driven vehicles, and a special talk on the Nano car developed by Tata s in India. Professor Soodursun Jugessur gave a talk on Science, Technology and Social Issues, that highlighted the need to stress on humane aspects of S&T Development and appropriate curricula for their teaching. 13

16 Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology Strengthening the Dialogue between Science and Policy, Halle, Germany MAST participated in a joint EASACNASAC Workshop on Strengthening the Dialogue between Science and Policy held from 17 to 19 September in Germany. The Workshop was held at the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina in Halle, Germany. The Workshop objectives were: To enable member academies of NASAC and EASAC to share experiences of their past interactions with policymakers and the wider public To discuss good practice in some of the more specific activities which belong to a dialogue between science and policymakers and the wider public and To scope possible common interests and to develop mechanisms for any future collaborations between the two networks. Participants were representatives from member academies of NASAC (Network of African Science Academies), EASAC (European Academies Science Advisory Council) and FEAM (Federation of European Academies of Medicine). 14

17 Summit of South Asian Academies, INSA, New Delhi, India MAST again participated at the second South Asia Science Academies Summit at the Indian National Science Academy, INSA in New Delhi, India from 24 to 27 September. Two MAST members: Professor Seewant Bhoojedhur and Dr Michael Atchia attended the summit, which was preceded by a one day workshop on The Role of Women in Science and in Research. Almost all the academies of South Asia attended the summit and the presence of MAST at this event was important to link Africa and Asia. IAP General Conference, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil IAP, the Global Network of Science Academies, has a membership of over 130 academies worldwide. It holds triennial General Conferences on specific themes. The General Conference hosted by the Brazilian Academy of Sciences in February in Rio de Janeiro focused on Grand Challenges and Integrated Innovations: Science for Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Development. At the General Assembly which followed the General Conference, Professor Mohammad Hassan, of Sudan, and Professor Volker ter Meulen, of Germany, were elected as cochairs for a period of three years. MAST was represented by its President, Dr Y. Maudarbocus. 15

18 Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology Annual Meeting of African Science Academies (AMASA), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Ever since the Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) joined the Network of African Science Academies, members of the Mauritian Academy have been attending AMASA on a regular basis. Apart from holding a conference on a specific theme, AMASA always hosts the NASAC General Conference. AMASA9 held in in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, addressed the subject of Biodiversity and Biotechnology for National Development. At the NASAC General Assembly which followed, the then MAST President, Dr Yousuf Maudarbocus, was elected on the NASAC Board as Vice President for a period of 3 years. 16

19 MAST hosts visiting scientist from India, Réduit, Mauritius Dr Amritesh Chandra Shukla, from the Department of Horticulture, Aromatic and Medical Plants Mizoram University, India spent two weeks, from 3 to 15 November in Mauritius. His visit was in the framework of a scientific bilateral exchange programme between the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and MAST. The scientist was based in the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius, where he delivered lectures and undertook laboratory work. Our energy transition, Réduit, Mauritius On 6 March, MAST organised a special scientific meeting on energy in the Bonâme Hall, MSIRI, Réduit. On this occasion Dr Khalil Elahee gave a lecture on the theme: Our Energy Transition: What next? 17

20 Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology During this event ten scientists were inducted to the Academy. The Founder s President Award, which had recently been introduced, rewarded the best degree dissertations at the University of Mauritius for the year in the field of Energy. Three prizes were presented as follows: The best dissertation went to Mr Reezwan Khodabacus for his dissertation entitled: Optimization of Solar Water Heater with Gas Water Heater as Booster while the dissertations entitled: Investigation into alternative wastes resources for energy production with emphasis on agricultural and forestry wastes by Ms M.F. Hardoyal and Design and optimisation of photovoltaic system for a commercial building by Mr Y. Surnam were also rewarded. 18

21 Celebrations of the 10 th Anniversary of the Academie Hassan II des Sciences et Techniques, Rabat, Morocco The President of MAST, Dr L Jean Claude Autrey, attended the above celebrations that were organized to showcase the Moroccan Academy which had substantial resources to carry out its objectives and which was under the patronage of King Mohamed VI. The Academy had impressive facilities, employed a staff of 30, and had a library with prestigious volumes for example, a treatise of engineering by Leonardo da Vinci. There were several scientific sessions and the President made a presentation in the one entitled: Implications dans le règne microbien et végétal cultures transgéniques Situation en Afrique. Contacts were made with the officials of the Academy and areas of collaboration identified. It was highlighted that the Academy offered many scholarships for postgraduate studies with generous support that could be of interest to Members of MAST and students from Mauritius. During the meeting which was attended by representatives of some 20 African science academies, the joint Statement by the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) on the issue of Climate Change for presentation at 19

22 Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology the COP22 Conference in Marrakech in November was finalised. MAST is a party to the Statement. Council of MAST decided that an Accord Cadre would be signed with the Academie Hassan II des Sciences et Techniques to define the framework for collaboration in general while for specific projects, additional clauses would be signed. Communication Event: Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience in Africa Policymakers Booklet, Ebene, Mauritius A communication event took place in July for the Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience in Africa Policymakers Booklet. There were 60 participants including 20 foreign delegates from Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Keynote address was delivered by Prof Jacqueline McGlade from the UNEP. The Event was organized by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), in collaboration with the Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology (MAST), German National Academy of Sciences (Leopoldina), the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC), and the Gender in Science, Innovation, Technology and Engineering (GenderInSITE). The Opening Ceremony was chaired by the Hon M R Alain Wong Yen Cheong, MSK, Minister of Civil Service and Administrative Reforms, Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development, and Disaster and Beach Management. The Policy Makers Booklet was launched at the COP21 in Paris last year and now we have reached its dissemination phase. The Booklet has as principal objective to assess the status and make recommendations that African governments may consider when dealing with the important challenge of climate change and resilience in Africa. 20

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25 350 th Anniversary of the Académie des Sciences de France, Paris, France The Académie des Sciences de France celebrated its 350 th Anniversary on 27 September in the grandiose set up of the Auditorium of the Musée du Louvre in Paris. The event was grace by Mr. François Hollande, President of the Republic of France. On that occasion, the Académie organised a Journée Mondiale des Sciences which extended the whole day with an account of a history of the Academy and conferences on various themes including the Complexity of Science and Sciences Academies; Health and Demography; Digital, Robotics and Employment; Environment, Resources and Recycling; the Universe: which tools to understand it. It was a successful event attended by representatives of 57 science academies from around the world. Dr Jean Claude Autrey, MAST President and Professor Romeela Mohee, Secretary of MAST, attended the above celebrations. They met with Mrs Catherine Brechignac, Secrétaire Perpétuel of the Académie des Sciences de France. Potential areas of collaboration were explored. It was agreed that MAST would submit a project to Groupe Interacadémique pour le Développement (GID) on the Global theme on sciences and a convention would eventually be signed by MAST and the Academie des Sciences de France. At the meeting, the items discussed related to the workshop «Emploi de Jeune» held in Dakar earlier in the year. The President of MAST also proposed that the theme of the conference in Africa could be «Le role de la femme dans le developpement». The President and Secretary of MAST signed the Common Statement about Science, or la Déclaration Commune de la Science that has been signed by representatives of all science academies worldwide. A medal was given to MAST on the occasion of the 350 ème anniversaire de l Academie des Sciences. 23

26 Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology 2 nd Africa Young Academies Regional Conference, Réduit, Mauritius The 2 nd Africa Young Academies Regional Conference was held from 24 to 26 October in Mauritius. The theme was Empowering the Next Generation of Scientists in Africa. MAST was a party to the Conference which was attended by 39 participants from 21 countries namely: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Germany, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Pretoria, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Officials were from Government of Mauritius, The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Network of African Science Academies (NASAC), African Academy of Sciences, Global Young Academy (GYA) and Robert Bosch Foundation. The GYA the voice of young scientists around the world from over 60 countries will continue to work closely and act organically with its international and African partners in order to strengthen science and the research environments in Africa as well as help facilitate efforts towards capacity and competence building of young scientists. Aware of the role that young African scientists can play to enhance Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) and drive the continent toward a knowledgebased economy, the GYA remains an active facilitator and supporter of its African partners and members to materialize its three main objectives: 1. Supporting the establishment and synergizing of National Young Academies 2. Capacity and competence building in Africa 3. Leveraging Science Policy in Africa It was decided that MAST would sponsor the creation of a Young Science Academy in Mauritius in order to pave the way to the future development of science in the country. 24

27 NASAC Women for Science Working Group, Nairobi, Kenya The meeting of the Working group was held from 45 August and was attended by Assoc. Prof Marie Françoise Driver, member of MAST. The objectives of the workshop were to: Inform participants about NASAC and the objectives and activities for the Women for Science Working Group (WfS WG) Discuss the role of women scientists in various science academies in the continent to share experiences and propose ways to enhance their participation and visibility in academy framework. Share information on the project for Publication on a volume on Inspiring Stories of Women Scientists in Africa so as to identify the selection criteria and process for implementation under the leadership and guidance of the WfS WG. Identify specific synergies that can be pursued by the NASAC WfS WG in partnership with the Organisation of Women Scientists in Developing World (OWSD) and Gender in Science, Innovation, Technology and Engineering (GenderInSITE). Chart the way forward on other programmatic activities that the NASAC WfS WG can undertake in Africa so as to fulfill the Group s mandate. 25

28 Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology Booklet on Harnessing Modern Agricultural Biotechnology for Africa s Economic development, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Dr Asha DookunSaumtally, MAST Second vice President attended the launching event of NASAC policy booklet on Harnessing Modern Agricultural Biotechnology for Africa s Economic development from 21 to 22 April, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The booklet has been well distributed amongst local stakeholders. 26

29 Visit of Professor Sir Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, Réduit, Mauritius On 1 March, the Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology in collaboration with the University of Mauritius welcomed Dr, Sir Venkatraman (Venki) Ramakrishnan, an eminent scientist and Noble prize winner in Chemistry, for his studies on the structure and function of the ribosome. He was accompanied by H.E. Mr. Jonathan Drew, British High Commissioner in Mauritius. Sir Ramakrishnan is the President of the Royal Society, an independent scientific academy of the UK and the Commonwealth, dedicated to promoting excellence in science. He has a very rich and exceptional scientific career in the fields of physics and molecular biology; having worked at Yale University in New Haven, Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York, and then at the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, at the University of Cambridge, UK. He has won several prestigious awards besides the Noble prize in Chemistry, and amongst others the LouisJeantet Prize in Medicine in and the Heatley Medal awarded by the British Biomedical Society in. In, he received India s second highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan and was knighted in, for his distinguished contribution to Molecular Biology. In, he won the Spanish JiménesDiàz prize. After a welcome address made by Dr Asha DookunSaumtally, second Vice President of MAST, and Mr Preeaduth Chitamun, Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the University of Mauritius, 27

30 Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology there were three presentations by Professor Romeela Mohee, Secretary of MAST, the Acting ViceChancellor of the University of Mauritius, Dr Tanika Devi Jawaheer and Dr Vidushi NeergheenBhujun member of the Global Young Academies. These were followed by an interactive session with Dr Ramakrishnan, where MAST members and other invitees had the opportunity to interact with him. Before leaving, souvenirs were presented to Dr Ramakrishnan by MAST and the University of Mauritius. Dr Ramakrishnan also gave to MAST a copy of a drawing of the Dodo and the Guinea Pig. Commonwealth Science Conference, Singapore The Commonwealth Science Conference, held in Singapore from 13 to 16 June, was attended by more than 400 participants covering a wide range of scientific disciplines. The programme included a mix of plenary lectures, panel discussions and parallel sessions on the themes of infectious diseases, the future of the oceans, sustainable cities and low carbon energy. This conference was organized by the Royal Society in collaboration with the National Research Foundation of Singapore and one of the plenary lectures was delivered by Professor Venkataraman Ramakrishnan, President of the Royal Society. As in previous years, this Commonwealth Science Conference was characterized by a few very highlevel presentations on latest scientific discoveries. Mauritius was represented by Dr Yousuf Maudarbocus, Vice President of the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC), one Associate Professor from the University of Mauritius and two promising Ph.D. students. 28

31 Booklet on Food Security and Nutrition in Africa, Nairobi, Kenya Dr Y Parmessur, Associate Member of MAST participated in the Editorial Team Meeting for a policy booklet on: Food Security and Nutrition in Africa produced by NASAC. The meeting was held from 17 to 18 January in Nairobi, Kenya. Distinctions The Publication by NASAC on Inspiring stories of women scientists in Africa dedicated to narrating the stories of outstanding women scientists who have progressed and succeeded in their fields included the career and achievements of Dr Asha DookunSaumtally, Second Vice President of MAST. The Publication will serve as an inspiration to young women and women in general. The Booklet Science in Africa on Outstanding scientists on the continent which has been published in by the Department of Science and Technology of South Africa included two members of MAST: Assoc. Prof Marie Françoise Driver from the University of Mauritius and Dr Yogesh Parmessur from the Mauritius Sugarcane Industry Research Institute. 29

32 Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology MAST Presidents and Council Members PRESIDENTS of MAST Founder President, Professor Soodursun Jugessur (from ) President, Dr Yousuf Maudarbocus (from ) President, Dr Louis Jean Claude Autrey (from to date) COUNCIL President, Professor Soodursun Jugessur 1 st VicePresident, Dr Louis Jean Claude Autrey 2 nd VicePresident, Professor Seewant Bhoojedhur Secretary, Dr Arjoon Suddhoo Assistant Secretary, Dr Gias Lallmahomed Public Relations Officer and Editor, Dr Michael Atchia Treasurer, Dr Ahmud Yousuf Maudarbocus Assistant Treasurer, Professor Soonil Dutt Dharam Vir Rughooputh Member, Professor Muhammad Abed Peerally Member, Dr Benjamen Claude Ricaud Member, Professor Indur Fagoonee COUNCIL President, Dr Louis Jean Claude Autrey 1 st Vice President, Professor Seewant Bhoojeedhur 2 nd Vice President, Dr Asha DookunSaumtally Secretary, Dr Linda Mamet Assistant Secretary, Dr Salem Saumtally Treasurer, Professor Yashwant Ramma Assistant Treasurer, Dr Deoraj Caussy Public Relations Officer and Editor, Dr Michael Atchia Members: Founder President, Professor Soodursun Jugessur Immediate Past President, Dr Yousuf Maudarbocus Professor Gulamhussen Mohamedbhai 30

33 MAST s Global Network The members of NASAC (established in December 2001) are: African Academy of Sciences (AAS) Académie Algérienne des Sciences et Technologies (AAST) Académie Nationale des Sciences, Arts et Lettres du Benin (ANSALB) Académie Nationale des Sciences du Burkina (ANSB) Botswana Academy of Sciences (BAS) Cameroon Academy of Sciences (CAS) Académie Nationale des Sciences et Technologies du Congo (ANSTC) Ethiopian Academy of Science (EAS) Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) Kenya National Academy of Sciences (KNAS) Madagascar s National Academy of Arts Letters and Sciences Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) National Academy for Côte d Ivoire Hassan II Academy of Science and Technology in Morocco Academy of Sciences of Mozambique (ASM) Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) Académie des Sciences et Techniques du Sénégal (ANSTS) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) Sudanese National Academy of Science (SNAS) Tanzania Academy of Sciences (TAS) Académie Nationale Des Sciences, Arts Et Lettres Du Togo (ANSALT) The Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS) Zambia Academy of Sciences (ZaAS) Zimbabwe Academy of Sciences (ZAS) MAST has developed bilateral working relations with the following well established science academies: Leopoldina; The German National Academy of Sciences. Royal Society, UK L Académie des sciences, Paris American Academy of Science (AAS) Indian National Science Academy (INSA) Royal Netherlands Academy of Sciences 31

34 Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology University of Mauritius REDUIT 80837, MAURITIUS TEL: FAX: WEBSITE: SPONSORS This Publication was supported by: Sotramon Limitée, COURTS Mammouth, MSJ Limited Unicorn and E.A.L MAN HIN & SONS LTD STREAK DESIGNS

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