Each year since 2014, the African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD) has enabled the discussion of pressing and emerging challenges to development facing Africa. Through the forum, decision-makers from across the continent contribute a regional perspective to key global UN events, such as the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Forum and the High Level Political Forum (HLPF).
This year, for the first time, the IAEA took part in the ARFSD, organizing and hosting a side event on Building Human and Institutional Capacities in Africa in the Peaceful Use of Nuclear Science and Technology with the support of the United Nations Economic Commission of Africa (UNECA) on 25 February, and taking part in a high-level panel discussion on Opportunities in Advanced Energy Technologies on 2 March.
Engaging with the 8th Session of ARFSD
The side event focused on capacity building to the practical application of nuclear science and technology in support of a green, inclusive and resilient Africa.
More than fifty regional stakeholders attended, listening to experts from Egypt, Kenya and the IAEA share their expertise and talk about their work to enhance academic programmes, support knowledge and data-sharing, and attract Africa’s youngest talents to the nuclear field.
“With the support of my university and others like it throughout the region, the AFRA Regional Cooperative Agreement is currently working towards developing a comprehensive human resources development (HRD) plan and strategy for all Members States, designed to achieve a critical mass of nuclear scientists in the region,” said Professor James Kahindi, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Pwani University in Kenya. “In particular we wish to create awareness and promote STEM subjects among the youth, and especially young women, right from secondary school all the way to Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral levels.”
Dina Husseiny, Director of Radiology and Medical Imaging Technology at Misr University for Science and Technology (MUST) in Cairo, said: “We need to face the fact that there is a dearth of interest among youth in STEM subjects, and women remain underrepresented in scientific fields,” she said. “With IAEA support, our university is now promoting STEM awareness to secondary school students, and developing new, modern curricula which include e-learning modules and technologies which facilitate learning.”
