African Union establishes science advisory panel

The African Union (AU) has established an eight member high level advisory panel on science, technology and innovation. The panel is co-chaired by Kenya's Professor Calestous Juma and Egypt's Ismael Serageldin.
The team of experts will guide the AU on the review process of the continent's science and technology Consolidated Plan of Action which was adopted by African Ministers of Science and Technology in 2005.
The plan of action was endorsed by AU heads of state and government in 2006.
The panel of experts will hold its first meeting on the 8th to the 9th of this month in Egypt to assess progress made in science and technology and its report will be presented at the next conference on science and technology to be held later this year in the Republic of Congo.
In an interview with ZBC News, co-chair of the panel, Professor Calistous Juma said Africa is taking stock of its achievements in science and technology since the consolidated plan of action adopted by science ministers in 2005.
The CPA is Africa's common framework for advancing science, technology and innovation through the creation, improvement and mobilisation of human resources, infrastructure and promotion of cluster research and development programme.