Physics Professor and Head of the Department of Physics and Electronics at Rhodes University Makaiko Chithambo has been elected a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS), marking a major recognition of his contribution to physics on the continent.
The African Academy of Sciences brings together top scholars from across Africa. Fellowship is awarded through a rigorous peer-reviewed process involving expert evaluation, voting by current Fellows, and final endorsement by the AAS Governing Council.
In a letter to Professor Chithambo, Secretary General of the AAS Governing Council Professor Friday Okonofua, wrote: “The Governing Council has made its decision on nominations, and I am pleased to inform you that you are now an elected Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences. The AAS Fellowship recruitment follows a rigorous evaluation by the AAS Membership Advisory Committees in various fields of specialisation. The recommendations of the Membership Advisory Committees and the votes by the Fellows were compiled and submitted to the AAS Governing Council for final review and endorsement.”
As a Fellow, Professor Chithambo will contribute to shaping science policy, support research programmes, serve on expert committees, and help identify and nominate future Fellows across Africa.
He will be formally inducted at the next AAS General Assembly Meeting and join a network of scholars committed to advancing science, technology, and innovation for the benefit of the continent.
Regarding the announcement, Professor Chithambo said: “I am truly humbled to have been elected a Fellow of this Academy. I’ve always believed in the power of collaboration between researchers in Africa and the importance of supporting each other to succeed, despite the challenges we face. It’s possible to achieve meaningful progress even with limited resources—you just have to make smart, deliberate choices. As a Fellow, I intend to draw on my experience in international science policy and my global networks to support students and fellow African academics wherever I can.”
Rhodes University congratulates Professor Chithambo on this outstanding achievement and celebrates his continued impact on science in Africa.