How NASAC Membership is Strengthening Madagascar’s Scientific Voice
For over a century, the Malagasy Academy of Letters, Arts and Sciences has stood as a beacon of intellectual and cultural life in Madagascar. But in recent years, a quiet transformation has begun, one shaped by the Academy’s membership in NASAC.
Joining NASAC has opened new horizons for the Academy, giving Madagascar’s scholars access to a wider African and global scientific community. Through this network, the Academy has moved beyond its traditional national focus to engage in shared research priorities that span the continent from biodiversity and sustainable development to science policy and education.
“Our collaboration with NASAC has made us more visible, more connected, and more aware of the scientific challenges facing Africa as a whole,” said a representative of the Malagasy Academy. “It has changed how we see our role as a national academy.”
One of the most immediate impacts has been access to new information and opportunities. Through NASAC’s regular updates and calls for participation, members of the Academy have learned about international grants, awards, and collaborative projects.
Beyond individual benefits, NASAC membership has strengthened the Academy institutionally. It has encouraged the integration of English, NASAC’s working language, alongside Malagasy and French, broadening the Academy’s communication capacity and positioning it for greater engagement in African and global dialogues.
Participation in NASAC’s capacity-building workshops and policy discussions has also helped the Academy align its strategic direction with continental priorities. Exposure to themes such as science advice for governments, climate resilience, and innovation in higher education has inspired new thinking within the institution, fostering a more outward-looking, partnership-oriented approach.
For a country often seen as geographically isolated, NASAC membership has served as a vital bridge, connecting Madagascar’s scientific community to its peers across Africa. Through NASAC, the Malagasy Academy has gained not only visibility but also a stronger sense of belonging to a continental movement advancing science for development.
“Being part of NASAC reminds us that our work in Madagascar contributes to something larger in the collective progress of African science,” the Academy representative added.
Looking ahead, the Malagasy Academy envisions deeper collaborations with other African academies, co-developing projects, mentoring young scientists, and sharing knowledge that reflects both Madagascar’s unique heritage and Africa’s shared scientific future.
Through NASAC, the Malagasy Academy is no longer working in isolation. It is part of a network that empowers, connects, and amplifies African scientific voices, including Madagascar’s.