Young African Scientists

The Young African Scientists Programme facilitates capacity-building for young professionals and enables them to conduct creative and needs-based research that enhances linkages between science policy and scientific practice. IRDR young scientists contribute to groundbreaking catastrophe risk reduction work and serve as IRDR envoy at conventions and/or social media. In late 2016 the IRDR Young Scientists Program started. It currently consists of a group of 115 young researchers in 3 groups, from over 40 nations.

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) calls for the improved role of science and technology in evidentiary decision making. It also encourages the need for creativity and collaboration, which is related to experience and the different actors concerned. With its mission for collaborative and trans-disciplinary work, IRDR aims to promote capacity-building for young professionals and enable them to conduct a creative and needs-based study that reinforces linkages between science policy and scientific practice.

One of the objectives of the Young African Scientist Programme is to improve understanding among young scientists about the application of the Sendai Framework and offer opportunities for further involvement through the DRR Young Scientists Programme.

Top 10 African Scientists Programmes in Africa

1. The International Science Council; The Council convenes the scientific expertise and resources needed to lead on catalyzing, incubating and coordinating impactful international action on issues of major scientific and public importance.
2. The African primary Science Program; Revolutionary for its time, the African Primary Science Program (APSP) brought together professors and scientists from Africa to develop an inquiry-based science education program.
3. Academy of Science South Africa: was formed in response to the need for an academy of science congruent with the dawn of democracy in South Africa – an activist in its mission of using science for the benefit of society.
4. African Leadership Science Program: the program aims to grow the mid – African academics in the areas of thought leadership, team development, engagement and collaboration, with the intention of enabling them to solve complex issues that face both Africa and the global community.
5. The Royal Society Program: The Royal Society has a long history of promoting science in Africa by supporting collaborations, networks and exchanges between scientists and building the capacity of scientific institutions.
6. The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS): this is a Pan – African network of centers of excellence that enables Africa’s talented students to become innovators driving the continent’s scientific, educational and economic self – sufficiency.
7. Africa’s Next Generation Program: Each year in Lindau, Germany, the best young technology stars converge to collaborate with Nobel laureates and their peers. For this once-in-a-lifetime experience, 600 graduates and post-docs are selected from all over the world in a multi-stage selection process.
8. The African Union Science and Technology Division: contributes towards revitalized, quality, relevant, harmonized education systems responsive to the needs of Africa, taking into account Africa’s aspiration and capacity in terms of human and material resources.
9. Society for the Advancement of Science in Africa:  This is a multinational, non-profit organization comprising scientists, academic institutions, research institutions, government agencies, philanthropists and funding agencies dedicated to building an African scientific knowledge base and advancing science frontiers in Africa
10. The African University of Science and Technology: The African University of Science and Technology (AUST) is a Pan-African organization founded in 2007 in response to a request by several African Heads of State to give life to a request made by then South African President Nelson Mandela that the World Bank and the African Union work together to create strong Pan-African centers of excellence in order to improve the capability of sub-Saharan Africa.

Their Eligibility

To participate in any of the listed Young Scientist programs above, the following are the necessary criteria:

• You must be less than 40 years of age.
• You must be endorsed by an academic supervisor or HOD if you are a student.
• The subject of research needs to be related to science and technological innovations
• You must be affiliated with an academic program either as a young faculty or as a student.
• You must be a legal citizen of any country in Africa

Benefits/Value

Benefits of participating in these science programs include;

• The provision of access to the IRDR Scientific Committee(SC) for academic support and advice
• Opportunity to participate in the IRDR related training programs
• Provide participants with a link to IRDR network of professionals and Practioner
• Presents participants with a certificate for IRDR young scientist upon successful completion

Africa is a continent that has been hard hit by the brain drain. Thousands of skilled workers fled Africa searching for greener pastures, making the world desperate for human capital. Young research scientists’ programs were set up to put in place mental structures that will help in putting the African continent on a better scale.