The Cameroon Academy of Sciences (CAS) is a non-governmental organization that supports the progression of science and technology for the economic, social, and cultural development of Cameroon.[1] It was established in 1990 by a group of Cameroonian scholars during a symposium on agriculture and agricultural research in Sub-Saharan Africa in Douala, Cameroon.[2] The academy provides unbiased advice to the government and other stakeholders on issues related to science and technology.[3]
History
The idea of creating a national academy of sciences in Cameroon was first proposed in 1972 by the Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research.[2] In 1982, the council proposed a draft decree for the creation of the academy.[2] However, it was not until 1990 that the academy was formed by a group of Cameroonian scholars during a symposium on agriculture and agricultural research in Sub-Saharan Africa in Douala, Cameroon.[4] The symposium was organized by the International Foundation for Science and the Third World Academy of Sciences.[4]
The founding members of the academy, 25 scientists from various disciplines, elected Jean-Pierre Tignol as the first president of the academy.[4] The academy was officially inaugurated on 10 February 1993 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, by then Prime Minister Simon Achidi Achu.[5] The academy received its legal status as a non-governmental organization in 1992 and was affiliated with both the Ministry of Scientific and Technical Research and the Ministry of Higher Education.[3]
