Africa’s leaders have recognised Professor Oluwole Daniel Makinde as one of the continent’s top scientists.
Prof Makinde recently scooped the African Union Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Continental 2011 Award, which recognises him as the top African scientist in the category of basic sciences, technology and innovation.
The annual award highlights the achievements of African scientist who are making an impact on the continent, through their research and other related activities.
This prestigious award celebrates Prof Makinde’s contribution to the upliftment of previously disadvantaged groups in Africa in the area of mathematical science research and training.
Prof Makinde, who recently received the award at the African Union-Head Office in Addis Ababa, said it will go a long way in boosting his research and training of upcoming African scientists.
“The impact of this AU Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Award on the rest of Africa is enormous. It raises the profile of innovative research in mathematical sciences in Africa and acts as a stimulus for scientific, engineering and technological advancement of the continent,” he said.
Prof Makinde, whose career spans 25-years, has concentrated his research on the use of mathematical theories to gain insights into the dynamics of engineering and biological systems that are of industrial, environmental, medical and social interest.
A senior professor and Director of Postgraduate Studies at CPUT, Prof Makinde said research, mathematics, science and technology are vital for the development of the African continent.
“Unless a country or a group of countries are well equipped with the necessary mathematical skills and knowledge to unlock its enormous scientific and technological potentials, they will be lagging behind in the race of development,” he said.
“It is the level of research in mathematical sciences that determines the level of the science and technological advancement of any nation. The foundation of science and technology, which is the basic requirement for development of a nation, is mathematics.”
To date, he has produced over 200 journal articles, authored several books, chaired numerous international conferences and is also one of the university’s top researchers.
For the past three years, he has scooped the CPUT award for best senior researcher.
By Candes Keating
Written by CPUT News
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