A fresh milestone in rallying Algerian expertise based abroad was reached on Sunday with the commencement of operations of the High Council for the National Scientific Community Abroad. Organized under the high patronage of the President of the Republic, this newly formed advisory body aims to unite top Algerian talent from across the globe to support the country’s scientific, technological, and economic shifts.
The inaugural sessions of the High Council for the National Scientific Community Abroad commenced on Sunday at the Chahid Abdelhafid Ihaddaden Scientific and Technological Hub in Sidi Abdellah. Comprising 31 prominent scientists and scholars, including 24 attending in person and seven joining via videoconference, the Council signals the formal launch of this fresh institution.
Leading the opening event, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Kamel Baddari, maintained that “the establishment of this Council fulfills the pledges of the President of the Republic to provide our scientific community abroad with the chance to advance national development through their proficiency, guidance, and the transmission of modern technologies.”
He noted that this gathering extends far past a conventional institutional event, highlighting that “this date represents much more than a routine protocol. It serves as a foundational milestone and denotes the start of a critical phase in constructing a renewed and triumphant Algeria.”
The minister additionally pointed out the strategic weight of this body, which reports directly to the Presidency of the Republic. He explained that this arrangement grants it “a profound political significance” and reflects the acknowledgment of the status held by Algerian researchers stationed across the globe within the national growth strategy.
Consequently, this framework intends to build enduring links between diaspora researchers, domestic universities, and national research centers. It is also tasked with assisting in the creation of a national system for scientific and technological foresight, capable of accompanying the economic, industrial, and technical transformations undertaken by Algeria.
The High Council for the National Scientific Community Abroad brings together leading figures from global research, including Professors Elias Zerhouni and Belkacem Haba, alongside multiple experts situated in Australia, the United States, France, Sweden, and other nations, where they hold premier roles in the realms of science, technology, and innovation.
Serving as the coordinator of the founding committee, Professor Elias Zerhouni praised the initiative, characterizing it as a historic juncture in the relationship between Algeria and its specialized professionals overseas. He expressed that this new organization reflects “a potent political determination, driven by the President of the Republic, to link Algerian diaspora talents back to their homeland and dedicate their knowledge to the advancement of higher education and scientific research.”
Professor Zerhouni underlined the importance of moving beyond sporadic exchanges to establish a lasting and reliable framework for cooperation, one that can yield tangible initiatives for national advancement. He commended Algeria’s strides in higher education, specifically mentioning the expansion of the university network and the international achievements of its students. Lastly, he called for a better optimization of global networks and the insights of Algerian scholars to satisfy national priorities in innovation and technology transfer.
As a reminder, the establishment of the High Council for the National Scientific Community Abroad was approved during the most recent Council of Ministers gathering. This new consultative institution, linked to the Presidency of the Republic, enjoys administrative and financial independence.
On that occasion, the Head of State issued an appeal to all Algerian scientists, scholars, and experts residing worldwide to commit their capabilities to the national renewal project and help elevate Algeria to the ranks of the most developed nations in science, technology, and innovation.