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NASAC

Science Advisory Portal
Science Advisory Portal
Programmes

Academy synergy building (ASBS)

VIRTUAL MEETINGS, WEBINARS

HOST: NASAC

SESSIONS: QUARTERLY

 1500 – 1700 Hrs (EAT)

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At glance

The Academy Synergy Building Sessions (ASBS) is a flagship NASAC initiative designed to connect and empower the secretariat staff of African science academies. These quarterly virtual meetings are crafted to enhance peer learning, foster professional development, and build a strong network-based corporate culture that champions excellence, efficiency, and cohesion within the NASAC community.

Overview

NASAC’s strategic objective is to ensure that the “voice of science” is heard by African and global policy and decision makers. The ASBS programme plays a critical role in this mission by interconnecting science academies, promoting best practices, and enabling effective collaboration. Key features include:

  • Virtual Engagement: Held quarterly from 1500 to 1700 hrs (EAT), the sessions allow participants to join from anywhere, ensuring inclusivity and wide-reaching impact.
  • Focused Peer Learning: Each two-hour session is dedicated to exploring topics aligned with NASAC’s strategic priorities, such as soft skills enhancement, effective secretariat management, and innovative approaches to science policy.
  • Targeted Audience: Exclusively designed for the secretariat staff of NASAC member academies and select invitees, these sessions are tailored to build internal capacity and reinforce network cohesion.

Programme Objectives

The ASBS sessions are structured to achieve several core objectives:

  • Enhance Collaborative Networks: Strengthen synergistic relations among NASAC members by facilitating regular interactions and information sharing.
  • Develop Professional Capacities: Provide a platform for sharing proven practices and insights, thereby improving the operational efficiency of academy secretariats.
  • Foster a Culture of Excellence: Promote a corporate culture characterized by excellence, efficiency, and cohesion, setting the stage for impactful science advisory roles in Africa.
  • Drive Innovation and Policy Influence: Equip academy secretariat staff with the tools and soft skills needed to effectively contribute to science, technology, and innovation policy discussions at both regional and global levels.

Meeting Format & Agenda​

Each ASBS session is meticulously planned to maximize engagement and learning:

  • Topic-Centric Sessions: Selected topics are directly aligned with NASAC’s strategic objectives. These topics are communicated ahead of each session to allow for thorough preparation.
  • Interactive Discussions: Sessions include dynamic question-and-answer segments where participants can delve deep into each topic. An interactive recap period is integrated to ensure key takeaways are well captured.
  • Peer Evaluation and Best Practices: A designated academy presents a concise viewpoint on the session’s topic, sharing real-life insights and strategies that have proven effective.
  • Open Dialogue: The format encourages open dialogue, allowing participants to exchange ideas, challenges, and success stories—fostering a vibrant learning community.

Key Benefits

The Academy Synergy Building Sessions offer a range of tangible benefits for the NASAC network and the broader African scientific community:

  • Robust Networking: Build strong inter-academy relationships that pave the way for future collaborations and joint initiatives.
  • Enhanced Professional Development: Regular exposure to peer learning sessions enhances individual skills and operational effectiveness.
  • Collective Problem Solving: Engage in constructive dialogue to identify solutions for common challenges, thereby strengthening the overall performance of science academies.
  • Strengthened Corporate Culture: By promoting shared best practices and a cohesive work environment, ASBS contributes to the development of a unified and dynamic NASAC community.
  • Increased Impact: Empowered secretariat staff are better positioned to support their academies as independent science advisers to governments, NGOs, and other key stakeholders.

📅 Save the Dates for 2025 Sessions:

    • Q1: Managing Stress and Navigating Workplace Conflicts – 6th March 2025
    • Q2: Strengthening Regional Teamwork – 5th June 2025
    • Q3: Leading Organizational Change – 4th September 2025
    • Q4: Effective Grant Management and Resource Mobilization for Academy Projects – 6th November 2025

Below are the topics that were chosen for the 2024 ASBS sessions. To see the report for each session, click on the links that are highlighted.

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