It’s eight days to one of Africa’s biggest science and technology events. The annual Africa Science Week (ASW) organized by the Next Einstein Forum’s (NEF) is scheduled to kick off this month across 35 countries with different timelines.
The event which is a celebration of science and technology on the continent is expected to host thousands of individuals – from students, to scientists to technologists – actively engaging in coordinated science events across the continent throughout September, October and December 2018.
The ASW wants to encourage citizens to get involved, participate in the NEF’s 1mil1 campaign and become interested in science and technology, and how it impacts their daily lives. For this maiden edition, the NEF’s ASW will be held in 35 countries: Zambia, Sudan, Benin, Angola, Uganda, Eswatini, Guinea Bissau, Lesotho, Malawi, Zimbabwe, the Gambia, South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, Rwanda, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Tunisia, Morocco, Kenya, Nigeria, Togo, Mali, Cape Verde, Congo Brazzaville, Guinea, Niger, Namibia, Somalia, Senegal, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia.
Led by NEF Ambassadors, this signature program is designed for many age groups and provides an opportunity for citizens to engage in everyday science. The program is designed to instill a curiosity of learning and interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) pursuits among the public and allows young Africans, especially women and girls, to become excellent scientists and technologists.
NEF Ambassadors will work with local partners both in the academic and private sector to make it a success.
Looking to the Future, The NEF hopes to extend Africa Science Week to at least 35 countries in 2018 and all 54 by 2020. It also hopes to build strong partnerships with existing science organisations and pooling resources.
For more info on the event, click here.