The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) on Tuesday hosted the African Institutions of Science and Technology (AISTs) Steering Committee meeting at its main campus Boardroom, bringing together leaders from three African science and technology institutions to advance cooperation across the continent.

The meeting brought together representatives from NM-AIST, the International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE), and the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) in Abuja, Nigeria. The AUST delegation joined the meeting virtually. Discussions focused on deepening collaboration, enhancing academic exchange, and supporting joint initiatives aligned with the institutions shared mission of strengthening Africa’s scientific and technological capacity.

Opening the session, Prof. Maulilio Kipanyula, Vice Chancellor of NM-AIST, outlined the historical connection among the three institutions and emphasized the importance of reinforcing their partnership. He noted that the collaboration reflects the vision of the late Nelson Mandela, who championed an Africa driven by home-grown innovation rooted in science and technology.

Speaking on behalf of 2iE, Prof. Diawl El Hadji Bamba, Director General of the institute, expressed his appreciation for the warm reception at NM-AIST. He emphasized 2iE’s commitment to working closely with partner institutions to advance education and contribute to Africa’s development through strengthened human capital.

Representing AUST virtually, Prof. Onwualu Peter Azikiwe, the university’s President, commended the Steering Committee as an important platform for shaping strategic directions that will enhance cooperation and deliver impactful results in science, technology, and innovation.

During the session, the institutions presented their historical backgrounds, key commitments, and ongoing activities, laying the foundation for a shared vision and coordinated future initiatives.

Following the meeting, the delegation from 2iE along with the NM-AIST Vice Chancellor and members of NM-AIST management toured key NM-AIST facilities. The tour included the C-Code Centre, the Library, scientific laboratories, the High-Performance Computing (HPC) facility, the Incubation Centre, and the DDI.