President Kagame Meets with African Scientists to Discuss Advancements in Materials Research and Technology

The meeting took place on the evening of December 18, 2024, where the President engaged in discussions with these experts in science and technology on various topics aimed at advancing knowledge and technology necessary for the development of materials used in various industries.

The group was led by Prof. Wole Soboyejo, the CEO of the AMRS Board of Directors. The scientists were in Rwanda to attend the 12th AMRS International Conference, which brought together over 500 professionals from diverse fields. These included researchers, industrialists, and university professors, all focused on exploring how various materials can be advanced to keep up with the rapid technological progress happening globally.

A statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) by the Office of the President noted that the group discussed advancing scientific knowledge, building collaborations among different institutions, and identifying what is needed to promote research, particularly research that advances Africa.

Among the topics discussed were the development of materials for medical, agricultural, energy, construction, and infrastructure use. They also focused on materials for environmental conservation, water and electricity distribution to citizens, mining, and processing of valuable minerals, as well as the development of advanced technology and industrial materials.

AMRS is an African organization dedicated to promoting the development of materials for various sectors across the continent. It brings together researchers committed to sharing knowledge and advancing the development of materials.

AMRS was founded in 2000 during a conference that brought together scientists from Africa and the United States, held in Pretoria, South Africa. This event was supported by the United States National Science Foundation (NSF) in collaboration with the South African National Research Foundation (NRF). The event attracted over 70 participants from 15 countries across Africa and the Americas. In 2002, the African MRS was officially launched in Dakar, Senegal, where the first conference was held. Since then, the conference has been hosted in various countries including Rwanda, Morocco, Tanzania, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Botswana.