Algerian professor Malik Maaza received the African Union prize of scientific excellence: “Kwame Nkrumah 2017”.
Algerian professor Malik Maaza received on Sunday, in Addis Ababa, the African Union prize of scientific excellence: “Kwame Nkrumah 2017” awarded each year to researchers and African Scientists for their research work in various fields of technologies and human sciences.
Mr. Maaza was honored by the African Union and the UNESCO for his research works in nanotechnology in South Africa where he leads a research centre in Pretoria. The ceremony took place during the opening session of the 30th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union.
On this occasion, Mr. Maaza was also congratulated by the Prime Minister, Ahmed Ouyahia, who is representing the President of the Republic, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, at the African Union Summit taking place in the Ethiopian capital.
Mr. Maaza who was congratulated the new current African Union President, Paul Kagame, also received a cheque of U$D 100,000 as a token of appreciation for his efforts towards the promotion of science and research in Africa.
In a press statement, Mr. Maaza said that he felt honored by this distinction which motivates him to make more efforts to train other young researchers in Algeria and Africa.
Mr. Maaza studied in Algeria at the University of Oran, before going to France for further studies and working in other countries.
He said that he often stays in Algeria for training programs in favor of Algerian Universities and other research centers. In this respect, he welcomed the research policy carried out by Algeria, which he said, “encourages university students to do research works.”