2013 has been auspicious for TWAS. We celebrated the Academy’s 30th anniversary with a year of activities, culminating in the 24th TWAS General Meeting in Buenos Aires. We initiated some valuable new programmes and projects. And we looked to the future, with growth in our fellowships and prize programmes and accomplishments in our science diplomacy initiative.
The foreword of the TWAS Annual Report is typically devoted to the president’s review of the year just ended. But 2012 was the sixth and final year of President Jacob Palis in this office, and it seemed an appropriate time to reflect on all that we have accomplished together in these years, and on some important work that waits ahead, left in very good hands of new President Bai Chunli and the new Board and Council.
This Annual Report, which covers January to December 2011, overlaps with my first year in office as executive director of TWAS: I took up the post in April. This transition year has been an opportunity for me to get to know TWAS, to take stock of the successful programmes that TWAS has been running so effectively, and to consider how we might continue to improve and expand these activities.
The TWAS 21st General Meeting, held in Hyderabad, India, showcased the enormous progress in science and science-based development that has taken place in India over the past several decades. A broad assessment of the state of TWAS’s portfolio of activities carries a similar upbeat message. Yet, TWAS also faces compelling challenges–both old and new.
A major objective of TWAS is to develop a culture of scientific excellence in all countries. Since the inception of TWAS in 1983,many developing countries have embraced science and technology as a pillar of their social and economic development strategies. Countries such as Brazil, China and India – but also Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, South Africa and others – have demonstrated the benefits of investing in research and are widely touted as models for other countries to follow.