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The UN Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries and The Network of African Science Academies partnered to strengthen and establish academies of sciences in African least developed countries (LDCs). The Angola Academy of Science was established in December 2020 to support and advise the government in directing science and technology policies for the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

To further capture the impact of the work done, we asked the Academy鈥檚 perspective on the following questions.

Why was the institute set up in Angola and what value and potential does the Angolan scientific community see in such an institution?

The Government of Angola was challenged to set up the Angolan Academy of Science (AAS) since the National Development Plan (NDP) 2012-2017, but this goal was only achieved in the NDP 2018-2022.
To achieve that goal, the Angolan Government create an expert committee comprised of professors and researchers to set up The Angolan Academy of Science as a private association. The AAS was created with the aim to promote scientific excellence, public awareness of the importance of science, and science-based sustainable development in Angola.

Presently, the AAS is recruiting new members to fill the positions in governing bodies. When the AAS made the first call to new members, forty candidates applied, this is a signal of the recognition of the AAS by the Angolan scientific community. The Angolan Academy of Science has been in touch with other stakeholders within the country, such as Parliament Members, Government Members, Rectors of Universities, and researchers. All of them are looking for an opportunity to work with AAS. We feel that the AAS needs to assemble itself and take its place at the table.

Where does the Academy see its place in Angolan society and in supporting the Angolan government?

The purpose of the Angolan Academy of Sciences in Angolan society is to:
a) Promote, recognize, and reward scientific excellence.
b) Promote and disseminate the advancement of science in Angola.
c) Promote public awareness of the value of science in sustainable development.
d) Promote the dissemination of scientific knowledge.
e) Provide scientific advice to the Government on the development of public policies and other matters.
f) Promote scientific studies that are deemed relevant to society.
g) Provide scientific consultancy services to society.
h) Promote and disseminate the best practices in the field of science, considering both professional ethics and intellectual property.
i) Promote national and international scientific collaboration and mobility.

What are the Academy's plans moving forward, regarding which scientific areas to focus on, and how do these align with the development plans of the Angolan government?

First, the Angolan Academy of Science is not a research institution. As mentioned previously, we promote, recognize and reward scientific excellence. We will work more in promoting and disseminating the achievement of science in Angola and worldwide. So, the plans to move forward are, first, the addition of new members, electing the Academy President, and working on this development plan.

Note: The AAS will also carry out studies on social, economic, and environmental phenomena, aligned with the 5-year government plan of development, Africa Aspirations and Agenda 2030, which can contribute to the sustainable development of Angola, by mobilizing local experts.

 
How does the Academy see the contribution of the Technology Bank and NASAC going forward?

Technology Bank and NASAC are very important to help the national academies to implement their plans. For us, the already help we got has improved our work, and helped us to have more visibility, and impact on the general society.

We foresee a better relationship as we want to set up an executive secretariat to deal with all day-by-day work in the Academy. On the other hand, we would like to have the Science Prize, for Angolan scientists who, each year, exceed in the area of science. For all these activities, we want to count on the guidance, help, and funding of the Technology Bank and NASAC.

The Academies of Sciences are unique institutions capable of acting as a major interphase between government and civil society and providing authoritative and credible advice on issues related to science and technology to governments. They contribute to both the economy and society in developing national science and technology policy and sustainable development.

The Technology Bank and the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) have supported the establishment of science academies in Angola, Lesotho, Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi.