Science academy to improve welfare
Dec 10, 2006
The Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS) which was launched in 2000, is an autonomous body that brings together scientists from different disciplines.
By Franklin Muyonjo
The Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS) which was launched in 2000, is an autonomous body that brings together scientists from different disciplines.
UNAS’ vision is to emerge as an eminent body of scientists, offering independent evidence-based advice for the prosperity of Uganda.
Initially, the academy depended mainly on membership fees to run its activities, but in 2004, it won a competitive 10-year $3m grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through the US National Academies. This was under the African Science Academy Development Initiative (ASADI).
Under ASADI, the US National Academies is directly engaging African academies of science in building their capacity to provide independent, evidence-based advice to their governments and countries on health-related matters. The science academies of Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda were chosen to participate in the programme intensively.
The potential for success was the primary reason UNAS was selected for the intensive partnership. Other reasons for this selection included the academy’s wise and dynamic leadership, enthusiasm of Uganda’s politicians, among others.
The Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS) which was launched in 2000, is an autonomous body that brings together scientists from different disciplines.
UNAS’ vision is to emerge as an eminent body of scientists, offering independent evidence-based advice for the prosperity of Uganda.
Initially, the academy depended mainly on membership fees to run its activities, but in 2004, it won a competitive 10-year $3m grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through the US National Academies. This was under the African Science Academy Development Initiative (ASADI).
Under ASADI, the US National Academies is directly engaging African academies of science in building their capacity to provide independent, evidence-based advice to their governments and countries on health-related matters. The science academies of Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda were chosen to participate in the programme intensively.
The potential for success was the primary reason UNAS was selected for the intensive partnership. Other reasons for this selection included the academy’s wise and dynamic leadership, enthusiasm of Uganda’s politicians, among others.