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 (South Africa) – President
Yin-Zhe Ma (South Africa) – Vice President
Youssef Moulane (Morrocco) – Young Astronomer
Meryem Guennoun (South Africa) – Execitive Officer
Kenda Knowles (South Africa) – Executive Committee Member, Director
Joyful Elma Mdhluli (South Africa) – Executive Committee Member, Director
Patricia Ann Whitelock (South Africa) – Executive Committee Member, Director
Benedicta Woode (Ghana) – Executive Committee Member
Charles Mpho Takalana (South Africa) – Advisor
Kevin Govender (South Africa) – Advisor
Thembela Mantungwa (South Africa) – Acting Executive Officer
Takalani Nemaungani (South Africa) – Ex officio member (DSTI representative)
Thebe Rodney Medupe (South Africa) – Ex officio member
Yunus Monjoo (South Africa) – Ex officio member (Project manager)
Yasser Abdel-Hadi (Egypt) – Co-Opted Member
Edward Jurua (Uganda) – Co-Opted Member
Maram Kaire (Senegal) – Co-Opted Member