The Executive Committee of the African Astronomical Society (AfAS) plays a pivotal role in monitoring the organization’s advancement towards its strategic objectives and initiatives. This committee is tasked with providing comprehensive oversight across the organization. Additionally, they are charged with supervising the implementation of policies and upholding robust governance practices within AfAS.
Mandate and Role of the EXCO
The AfAS Executive Committee (EXCO) provides strategic leadership and acts as the Management Authority of AfAS through general oversight of activities.
It provides independent, impartial, high-level strategic advice/decision-making to the AfAS Secretariat and Committee/Project Chairs to help AfAS realize its Vision and Mission.
The EXCO is the decision-making body for the organization’s operations/activities and is responsible for managing all the organization’s operations and finances.
The EXCO is accountable to the AfAS General Assembly and reports activities to it.
Membership and Composition
The EXCO is composed of seven (7) elected members plus ex-officio members.
Elected members are mainly senior astronomers with PhD degrees and at least 10 years of post-qualifying experience, or senior managers in related disciplines. They must be based in African institutions.
The seven members should broadly represent African demographics (regional representation, age, experience, gender) and the higher education sector/astronomy facilities across Africa.
Selection Guidelines** include six (6) astronomers/scientists (with at least four having senior university/management experience) and an Early Career PhD astronomer (no more than three years post-qualifying experience, no older than 35).
Ex officio members include the Executive Officer and the AfAS Project Manager (non-voting), a senior representative of the main funder (non-voting), the Directors of AfAS if not elected EXCO members (voting rights), and the immediate past President or a designated member of the previous Committee.
Committee Members
Amare Abebe Gidelew – President
Yin-Zhe Ma – Vice President
Youssef Moulane – Young Astronomer
Kenda Knowles – Executive Committee Member, Director
Joyful Elma Mdhluli – Executive Committee Member, Director
Patricia Ann Whitelock – Executive Committee Member, Director
Benedicta Woode – Executive Committee Member
Charles Mpho Takalana – Advisor
Kevin Govender – Advisor
Thembela Mantungwa – Acting Executive Officer
Takalani Nemaungani – Ex officio member (DSTI representative)
Thebe Rodney Medupe – Ex officio member
Yunus Monjoo – Ex officio member (Project manager)
Yasser Abdel-Had – Executive Committee Member
Edward Jurua – Executive Committee Member
Maram Kaire – Executive Committee Member