100 years of Physics in Africa – ‘Past, present and Future.’

This initiative is prompted by the 100th year of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP). The first agreement was signed in 1922; the first General Assembly was held in 1923.  This time last century, Modern Physics in Africa was in its infancy. Now, it is time to  flex our  muscles and take hold, change lives and unfold understanding. The elders and the youth of Physics are stretching their minds together.

Whether your country is a member of IUPAP or not, this is an excellent time to look back and look forward. One hundred years from now, perhaps Physicists will understand the vision we had for Physics contribution to the Sustainable Development of Africa. For example, how can Physics contribute to the 4th Industrial Revolution, gender and equity, food security, science education, health, energy, clean water, among other sustainable development challenges facing Africa.

Invitation to tell your story and desired future for Physics in Africa

There are many beautiful and inspiring stories on how Physics is thriving, changing lives, bringing development and impacting different parts of Africa, even producing world-class research and Physicists with bare minimum resources, but the World never gets to hear of these incredible success stories from Africa. An African proverb says, “Unless the lion tells the story, Tales of the hunt will always favour the hunter.”   This is your chance to tell your story, as the, IUPAP, looks forward to the next 100 years.  This a story about a story: about Physics and Physicists and Africa. It can be a paragraph or two or some pages.

Where will your story go

The collection of stories will be used to build a history of Physics in Africa and share the desired future for Physics in Africa.  The stories may be used as follows

  • Published on the 100 Years of Physics in Africa website as short stories.
  • Published with different newspapers, magazines, online platforms as a series of African stories on Physics.
  • Can be selected for inputs into the IUPAP centenary celebrations .
  • Combined and edited into a book on Physics in Africa.
  • Authors may be approached for Radio and TV interviews on their stories.
Instructions to participants
  1. Please download the suggested story template and guideline here.
  2. Complete the submission form and upload your story as a Word Document.

By submitting this story I give consent to SAIP to include and/or edit my submissions for the 100 Years of Physics in Africa project, and the SAIP will, in turn, give full credit to content creators