ISC ROA, in collaboration with the National Academy of Science and Technology of Senegal (ANSTS), organised a one-day Science Seminar in Dakar, Senegal, on 22 March 2019. The Seminar was organized as a side event to the ISC RCA2. The theme of the Seminar was “Innovative and Emerging Technologies: A Paradigm shift in Doing Contemporary Science in Africa?”
The event was attended by several ANSTS members and other local scientists, and it was officially opened by the president of the Academy. The Seminar served as a platform where the RCA members would interact with members of the Academy as well as other local scientists on issues of priority to the host country as well as explore avenues for scientific collaboration. As an ex-officio member of the RCA and the ASSAf Executive Officer, Prof Himla Soodyall gave a presentation during the Seminar.
ISC RCA members made presentations on the ISC ROA Africa Science Plans; the IPCC Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate poverty; and on the Nexus between Science and Society. Counterpart presentations from the ANSTS centred around Digital Technologies particularly Artificial Intelligence with emphasis on Medical Imaging and Data and Algorithms.
Participants underscored the need for collaboration between scientific communities on the continent to leverage of each other’s strengths and harness efforts that address Africa’s numerous socio-economic problems through scientific research. Artificial Intelligence as an emerging technology was lauded as one potential tool for attaining this goal.
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