International award winning scientists tip local counterparts

The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) award winning scientists have tipped their Rwandan counterparts on how to be successful in the field of science. The 27th TWAS General Meeting which was concluded last week in Kigali saw the awarding of the best performing scientists for 2016 in nine fields of agricultural sciences, biology, chemistry, earth sciences, engineering sciences, mathematics, medical sciences, physics and social sciences. Each year, TWAS awards prizes worth $15,000 (about Rwf12 million) to scientists who have been working and living in a developing country for at least 10 years. The awards go to individual scientists from developing countries in recognition of their outstanding contributions to scientific knowledge in sciences, its application as well as technology for sustainable development. In separate interviews with The New Times last week, the successful scientists had tips to give to their Rwandan counterparts. MN Hounkonnou, is a Benin mathematician and winner of the CNR Rao, a TWAS prize that acknowledges distinguished scientists from the world’s scientifically lagging and least developed countries who have made significant contributions to global science. He said there is need for Rwandan scientists to continuously work hard, investing in science as a way to secure the future. “It is important to believe in science. Believing and investing in science is to work for a better future. Science induces development and development reduces poverty,” he said. He also recognised Rwanda’s efforts in science. “I think Rwanda is now on the right path to development in technology and innovation. In few years the results will be visible and the development of the country will be ensured,” he said. Marian Nkansah, a Ghanaian chemist, is the first-ever winner of the Fayzah M. Al-Kharafi Prize, an annual award that recognises exceptional women scientists from scientifically lagging countries. She said that making achievements in science does not necessarily mean having sophisticated equipment, but rather using the limited equipment at their disposal. “They should believe in themselves, know that science is the same, it knows no colour, it knows no race. You can do great work without sophisticated equipment. You can use the little you have. I have seen enthusiasm and eagerness to make a difference in science here in Rwanda,” she said. The award she won recognised her research for shedding light on the health risks raised by the human exposure to hazardous heavy metals in routine activities of daily life. Bijay Singh, a Nepali biomaterial scientist, winner of the Atta-ur-Rahman Prize advised local scientists to make efforts to go to developed countries, learn from them and come back and make a difference in the field of science. “Studies in developing countries are not so advanced. So, it is good for Rwandan young people go abroad and get some knowledge from developed countries and come back and apply it in their country. When you study only in your country you have very narrow knowledge,” he said. Bijay is a chemist and a principal investigator at the Research Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology at Kathmandu, Nepal. He won the prize for his outstanding results in the field of biomaterials, a new type of carrier molecules that may encapsulate several compounds and direct the delivery of drugs, genes and vaccines with pinpoint accuracy. Chinese scientist Li Feng-Min, a 2015 joint award winner in agricultural sciences donated his prize money of $7500 (over Rwf6million) to needy young Rwandan scientists. “I come from North Eastern China where there is a lot of under development. So, I know how hard it is for a student to learn without enough equipment. I have requested that the money be used for the science students in need,” he said. Professor Muhammed Hassan, the executive director of TWAS, said that as a result of hosting the event, Rwandan scientists will be intimately linked with TWAS network. “The meeting has inspired admiration for the scientific wealth in Rwanda. We are beginning to realise that there is wealth of science in Rwanda than we have never realised before,” he said. Closing the event, Dr Papias Musafiri Malimba, the Minister for Education, expressed gratitude to the TWAS team for trusting Rwanda with hosting “a prestigious science event.” “The benefits of bringing such a meeting in Rwanda are tremendous. We recognise the opportunity TWAS offers to scientists in developing countries for example PhD scholarships, post-doctoral research fellowships, regional conferences, prizes and awards,” he said. “I am confident that the knowledge learnt from TWAS, will have a multiply effect which will ensure that it will be passed on for the benefit of all our institutions.” editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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International award winning scientists tip local counterparts