“Raw resources alone will not change conditions in Africa”
Dr. Osama O. Awadelkarim

As technology advances, it is all about making components ever smaller units until they can only be seen by the msot powerful microscopes. Nanotechnology is the science of tomorrow, here, today. It is the delicate art that manufactures machines and computers that are smaller than the head of a pin.

Osama O. Awadelkarim is a Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics and Associate Director for the Center of Nanotechnology Education and Utilization at the Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Awadelkarim has authored/coauthored close to 200 articles in journals, books, chapters in books, and conference proceedings. Born in 1954 he is currently a Jefferson Science Fellow and a Senior Science Advisor in the African Affairs Bureau and the Oceans and International Environment and Scientific Affairs Bureau at the U. S. Department of State. Married to his Professor wife, Dr. Awadelkarim is a father of three children. From his hectic schedule of academic tours in Africa, which included a meeting with Ethiopia’s business community at Hilton Addis on June 26th, he did manage to give the following interview to Capital’s, Tedla Desta.
Excerpt follows.

Capital -What was the purpose of your visit to Ethiopia?
Dr. Osama O. Awadelkarim -The purpose of my visit is to get to know Ethiopian scientists and examine ways of enhancing their collaboration with American scientists and researchers. I have visited the University of Addis Ababa, Hawassa University, and Adama University. I have interacted with staff members in Faculties of Science, Engineering and Technology. Overall, my visits were all very good and I learnt much about the university environment in Ethiopia. As part of this trip I also went to Sudan, I am now in Ethiopia and will go to Tanzania.
The fellowships are named for Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States and the nation’s first Secretary of State.  Jefferson was an eminent citizen-scientist whose interests, experimentation, and promotion of scientific discovery epitomized the positive contribution of scientists in government.

Capital - What did you notice about the science and technological development of Ethiopia compared to Africa and the world?
Dr. Awadelkarim -I have visited several countries in Africa, namely South Africa, Botswana, Nigeria and Sudan. In these countries I visited universities and I find that the Ethiopian universities compare very well with universities in these countries. I am also impressed by the enthusiasm of the Ethiopian professors and students. However, the lack of support and funding for science and technology is one of the complaints that the staff mentioned in the universities I visited. I would also like to say that I heard these complaints in other African countries too and not only in Ethiopia. I sincerely hope that politicians and the private sector pay attention to this issue and support universities’ research in science and technology. This is the only way for Africa to develop and catch -up with the developed world.

Capital - How important is science and technology to Africa?
Dr. Awadelkarim- Science and technology is very important to the prosperity of Africa. Raw resources alone will not change conditions in Africa. Raw material needs to be used in manufacturing and science and technology must be supported to allow for innovation. Countries with relatively low natural resources, such as South Korea and Japan, are relying entirely on science and technology and their human resources. Countries that have economies based on science and technology are clearly very advanced and Africa must follow the path of science and technology.

Capital - What is the contribution of Africans to the Science and technological development of the US?
Dr. Awadelkarim -American scientists of African origin are contributing significantly to scientific advancement in the U. S. Several of those scientists are well known in their areas of expertise. You probably know a few years back Professor Ahmed Zowel of Caltech who is originally Egyptian, won the Nobel Prize in chemistry. That is a clear testimony to the excellent research conducted by African scientists in American universities.

Capital- How did your meeting with the business community at the Hilton go?
Dr. Awadelkarim -My meeting with the business community was a good opportunity for me to rally that community for the support of science and technology research. From the questions and comments made by the attendees, I think the message got through to them. I had asked for their direct financial support as well as support in getting the word to policy makers on behalf of scientists and researchers. I had also made it clear that the private sector’s role in the development of science and technology is fundamental.

Capital-What is Nano Technology and how does it apply to Africa?
Dr. Awadelkarim- Nanotechnology is an enabling technology that allows for man-made things of extremely small size features. Nano is the Greek word for the dwarf and in mathematical terms a nanometer is one billionth of a meter. This is a length range of the order of that of molecules and very close to that of atoms. Therefore nanotechnology means the design and engineering at the scale of molecules and atoms. After the first industrial revolution of the engine in the 19th century and that of the digital and communication age which started in the middle of the last century, nanotechnology is expected to be the third and biggest science and industrial revolution. Nanotechnology will generate new wealth and new industries and will make old wealth and industry diminish. It will impact all aspects of our life from health to transport to energy to environment to materials to leisure. Africa has missed in the first two scientific and industrial revolutions and can not afford to miss on this one.

Capital- What future do you see in the relationship between Ethiopian and US universities? And in what regards can you personally assist?
Dr. Awadelkarim- The cooperation between Ethiopian and US universities in the areas of materials and natural sciences is very little. More cooperation will be very beneficial for both sides and I am here to try to promote this relation. I will be working on certain proposals to enhance this relationship with Ethiopia and other African countries. However, Ethiopian scientists working in the U. S. have a big role to play in this respect too. I hope that scientists and academics working here in Ethiopia begin contact and discussions in this direction with Ethiopian scientists in the U. S.

Capital-Any message you want to pass?
Dr. Awdelkerim- I would like to thank the U. S. Embassy for hosting me and planning my program in this very useful manner. I would also like to thank the science and technology staff in the Ethiopian universities for receiving me and giving me the opportunity to speak to students and researchers. However, I do hope that the Ethiopian Government and the Ethiopian private sector render support available for the science and technology community in Ethiopia.