NWU academic elected as fellow of African Academy of Sciences

Prof Simeon Materechera, an academic and director of the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Centre (IKSC) on the North-West University's (NWU's) campus in Mahikeng, has been elected to serve as a fellow of the African Academy of Sciences (ASS).

The purpose of the AAS, an Africa-wide scientist organisation, is twofold. It firstly serves to honour African scientists who have become internationally renowned through their efforts in their respective fields. Secondly the AAS aims to encourage the development of the research and technology base throughout the continent.

Fellows are Africans who live on or off the continent. They are elected by AAS fellows based on their achievements, including their publication records, innovations, leadership roles and contributions to policy.

"Prof Materechera's election is based on a series of reviews conducted at various levels following his nomination", says Prof Nelson Torto, the executive director of AAS. "AAS fellowship recruitment follows a rigorous review and evaluation process which is done by independent reviewers as well as 10 membership advisory committees in different fields."

"I feel honoured to be elected into the fellowship of the academy and I am grateful for the recognition I have received for my work," says Prof Materechera. "This nomination would not be possible without the inspiration from my colleagues and family. They give me the strength to challenge myself to perform better at each stage."

Prof Materechera's field of expertise is agricultural and nutritional sciences and he specialises in soil science. He oversees the teaching and research activities of the IKSC and is also involved in the supervision and mentoring of postgraduate students.

Prof Materechera has been involved in various networking activities and regularly collaborates with peers, organisations and institutions involved with research, teaching and learning, and community engagement.

He has published various book chapters, conference presentations, monographs, commissioned research reports and peer-reviewed journal articles and serves on the editorial boards of a number of journals.