Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune hosted a meeting with members of the High Council of the Algerian scientific diaspora on Sunday. The council's coordinator, Elias Zerhouni, was present along with notable figures such as Yasmine Belkadi, director of the Pasteur Institute, Karim Zaghib, a lithium battery specialist, and Belgacem Haba, an inventor with over 1,000 patents. The meeting was also attended by General Saïd Chanegriha, the head of the Algerian People's National Army.
The High Council of the Algerian scientific diaspora was established following a presidential decree published in the Official Journal ten days prior to the meeting. The council's primary objective is to harness the expertise of Algerian scientists and intellectuals worldwide to contribute to the country's scientific and economic development. This initiative aims to transition from sporadic contacts to a permanent institutional partnership.
Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Kamel Baddari praised the patriotism of Algerian scientists abroad who responded to the country's call to contribute to its renaissance. He emphasized that Algeria has a vast reservoir of brains and expertise capable of propelling the country's modernization process. Baddari highlighted that the council's creation will enable the mobilization of diaspora expertise in strategic areas.
The five strategic domains identified for the council's focus are cybersecurity, energy security, health security, food security, and water security. These areas are crucial for Algeria's development, and the involvement of the scientific diaspora is expected to provide a significant boost. The council's coordinator, Elias Zerhouni, stated that the objective is to mobilize Algerian scientific, technical, and technological expertise established abroad.
The meeting between President Tebboune and the High Council members marks a significant step in Algeria's efforts to tap into its diaspora's potential. The council's establishment demonstrates the government's commitment to leveraging the expertise of Algerian scientists and intellectuals worldwide. This initiative is expected to have a positive impact on Algeria's scientific and economic development.
Yasmine Belkadi, director of the Pasteur Institute, and Karim Zaghib, a renowned lithium battery specialist, are among the notable figures who attended the meeting. Belgacem Haba, an inventor with over 1,000 patents, also participated in the discussions. The involvement of such prominent experts is expected to bring valuable insights and expertise to the council's work.
The Algerian government is keen to capitalize on the expertise of its scientific diaspora to drive development and modernization. The High Council's establishment is a key step in this direction, and its work is expected to have a lasting impact on Algeria's scientific and economic landscape. The council's success will depend on its ability to effectively mobilize and harness the expertise of Algerian scientists and intellectuals worldwide.
Key points
- Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune met with members of the Algerian scientific diaspora's High Council to discuss ways to harness their expertise for the country's development.
- The High Council's establishment aims to transition from sporadic contacts to a permanent institutional partnership between the Algerian government and its scientific diaspora.
- The council will focus on five strategic domains: cybersecurity, energy security, health security, food security, and water security.
