Executive Director of the Eswatini Economic Policy Analysis and Research Centre (ESEPARC), Dr Thula Sizwe Dlamini, has won the 2018 TWAS Regional Prize for Science Diplomacy.
The regional prize awarded by The World Academy of Sciences Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Partner (TWAS-SAREP), which is hosted by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), is aimed at fulfilling TWAS’ objective of recognising, supporting, and promoting scientific capacity and excellence in the developing world.
Dr Dlamini has been awarded the prize for his contributions to the application of diplomacy in science and technology, to industry or to human well-being in the developing world and also his collaborative efforts on trans-boundary research projects contributing to, or made possible by, good international relations in the developing world.
The TWAS Regional Prize – Science Diplomacy seeks to honour an outstanding scientist who has collaborated on trans-boundary research projects contributing to, or made possible by, good international relations in the developing world. The ideal candidate must have made significant contributions to the application of diplomacy in science and technology to industry or to human well-being in the developing world.
Asked about the award, Dr Dlamini said ‘To GOD ALMIGHTY be the Glory’ and mentioned that it was such a great honour for him to have been chosen for the award.
According to TWAS-SAREP, awareness creation of ‘Science Diplomacy’ in the research and diplomatic communities is of critical importance in Africa, hence steady intergovernmental relations contribute and can be viewed as a guarantor of successful research collaborations, which builds trust amongst diverse and various stakeholders in developing countries.
The 2017 TWAS regional prize was won by Cameroonian Professor Wilfred Mbacham Fon, who was honoured for his outstanding efforts to promote public understanding and proliferation of science and technology across Africa and beyond. Prof Mbacham, who was nominated by the Cameroon Academy of Science, was awarded for providing substantial data sets for policy considerations in Cameroon and initiating major projects that have brought more than $6 million worth of funds to the University of Yaoundé I for research and capacity building.
