She was a key note speaker at the Madagascan National Academy of Arts, Letters and Sciences (AcNALS) in Antananarivo in Madagascar during multiple IFS events in 2008. Recently, in 2013 she was involved in the Africa-wide Women and Young Professionals in Science Competitions where IFS partnered with CTA, FARA ANAFE, RUFORUM and the NEPAD in planning and coordinating the Africa-wide science competition.
Professor Gurib-Fakim backed and supported the consortium to help African women and young professionals in science, in order to raise their profile and reward their scientific contributions and technological innovations, and to showcase the demonstrated impact of their work on development, and to help them attract further funding to support their work (see IFS Annual Report 2013 p.48-49). Most recently in May of this year she was actively reviewing IFS research proposals.
In a recent SciDevNet interview, she reported: “We know that science and technology have been very important tools for improving livelihoods, creating wealth and, of course, changing the destiny of many countries”. She hopes to build on a literacy base to advance research and science-led development in Mauritius.
On behalf of everyone at IFS may I send our very best wishes to Ameenah Gurib-Fakim for a successful Presidency.