New African Union Science Commissioner Begins Term
ADDIS ABABA – Mohammed Belhocine (Prof) begins his new role as the African Union Commission Commissioner for the Education Science Technology and Innovation (ESTI).
The Algerian public health specialist has taken over from Sarah Anyang Agbor (Prof) of Cameroon five months after his appointment by the Executive Council during their 39th meeting in Addis Ababa in October, 2021.
The official handing over ceremony of the office between Belhocine and Anyang took place last Friday under the auspices of the Secretary General of the Commission, said the African Union said in a statement today.
Belhocine, a medical scientist and professor of internal medicine and epidemiology, has a solid background as a practitioner and teacher.
The 70-year old also has experience in leading various United Nations agencies including as director of World Health Organization’s regional Africa office division of non-communicable diseases.
Belhocine is the second Commissioner from the Northern Africa region after Nagia M. Essayed (Prof), who served as commissioner from March 2004 to Feb 2008.
He took oath via videoconference on Monday, 17 January 2022.
Last Saturday, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, organized a farewell lunch for Prof Anyang in his residence during which he described her as “a widely respected & formidable academic, a servant leader who led with humility & great wisdom”.
Prof Anyang “propelled the Continental agenda for Science, Education, and Technology & Innovation to new heights, paying particular attention to youth participation in all its aspects,” he added.
