Johannesburg: Daya Reddy, an Indian-origin South African mathematician has been elected as the new president of the International Council for Science.
Mr Reddy has been voted by representatives of ICSU’s 120 national members and scientific unions attending the organisation’s General Assembly in Auckland, New Zealand.
ICSU is a non-governmental organisation with a global membership of 121 national scientific bodies and 31 international scientific unions.
South African science and technology minister Naledi Pandor joined the science community in congratulating Mr Reddy.
“It means a lot for South Africa and for Africa; it shows that our continent is being recognised for its skills, ability to lead and the role we are playing in global science,” she said.
Mr Reddy said he was particularly keen to ensure that ICSU becomes as inclusive as possible, so that, as the voice of science, the body could involve the entire community worldwide.
Mr Reddy obtained his PhD in civil engineering from the University of Cape Town, and a PhD from Cambridge University. He is president of the Academy of Science of South Africa and serves as co-chairman of the Inter Academy Council, which produces reports on scientific, technological and health.
