Strategic Plan: 2006--2010 PDF  | Print |  E-mail
Documents - Strategic Plan

Background 

The Federation of African Societies of Chemistry (FASC) was established on 23 February 2006 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The founding ceremony was attended by representatives of African chemical societies, regional chemistry associations, IUPAC, RSC, members of the Executive Committee of the Chemical Society of Ethiopia (CSE), members of the Organizing Committee of the 22nd Annual Congress of CSE and the founding of FASC, former presidents of CSE, heads of Chemistry Departments in Ethiopian universities, sponsors of the FASC-founding meeting and invited guests.

FASC aims at promoting the advancement of chemical sciences and the practice of chemistry that could be instrumental to the fulfillment of the development aspiration and objective of the people in Africa. FASC seeks to achieve its aim primarily through networking African chemical societies among themselves and with sister international and regional societies, as well as with international and regional initiatives that aim at the promotion of sustainable development in Africa. 

Development Strategies 

The Strategic Plan is anchored on the following three development strategies:

1. Enhancing member chemical societies’ positions as the source of the highest quality chemical information.

2. Assisting member chemical societies to promote the development of a community of highly-skilled practitioners of chemistry.

3. Supporting member chemical societies in their efforts to foster their respective societies’ belief and investment in chemistry.

Main Line of Action 

The three development strategies of FASC will be implemented through various main line of actions (MLA) corresponding to each of the development strategies. 

1. Enhancing member chemical societies’ positions as the source of the highest quality chemical information.

1.1.            Through publications (print and/or electronic)

1.2.            Through researching into and producing high quality and cost effective materials for both theoretical and experimental chemistry.

2. Assisting member chemical societies to promote the development of a community of highly skilled practitioners of chemistry.

2.1.            Through short-term training in the various fields of chemical sciences.

2.2.            Through networking with scientists in various fields of chemistry.

2.3.            Through fostering and promoting reforms in chemical education to ensure that it reflects current practices and teaching strategies that help students learn chemistry.

2.4.            Through competitive award programs in the various fields of chemical sciences.

3. Supporting member chemical societies in their efforts to foster their respective societies’ belief and investment in chemistry.

 

3.1.            Through popularizing the works of distinguished chemists that have made valuable contributions to society’s development.

3.2.            Through encouraging member chemical societies to bring about the integration of science into policy development so that national policies take into account the needs of science.

3.3.            Through providing products and services to students, teachers, policy makers and the public with messages about the value of chemistry education to their societal well being. 

The MLAs serve as the guiding principles for FASC and for each of the Working Groups established by the FASC General Assembly. Each Working Group will identify specific actions/projects to be implemented in line with one or more of the MLAs. If need arises, two or more Working Groups can work together in order to implement the MLAs. Collaboration of the Working Groups with other Groups/Divisions/Parties of international and regional chemical societies that have similar aims is highly encouraged.  

Immediate Priority Areas 

Since FASC is just established, it seems imperative to identify some immediate priority areas that should be accomplished in the year 2006. Some among these are:

  • Establishing the FASC Office.
  • Establishing linkages with international, regional and national donors and professional associations.
  • Formulation of Working Groups and facilitating the identification of priority areas for each group.
  • Conducting a survey on the status of chemical societies in Africa.
  • Formulation of projects/programs and identification of funding sources.

Financial Requirement

1. Establishing the FASC Office

The cost estimate is based on the assumption that the FASC Office will be in Addis Ababa/Ethiopia and that FASC will get its Office free of rent and some basic facilities.
  • Computers and printers                                                             4,600 USD
  • Fax machine, copier, scanner and telephone sets                        2,000 USD
  • Tables, Chairs            and Shelves                                             1,650 USD
  • Personnel                                                                                  5,000 USD
  • Miscellaneous                                                                           1,000 USD
  • Contingency (10%)                                                                   1,425 USD

                                                                             Sub-Total:    15,675 USD

2. Establishing Linkages with Donors and Professional Associations

  • Website development and hosting                                             2,000 USD
  • Miscellaneous                                                                          1,000 USD
                                                                        Sub-Total:          3,000 USD 

3. Formulation of Working Groups and Priority Areas

 
  • Stationery and communication cost                                          1,000 USD
                                                                                Sub-Total: 1,000 USD 

4. Conducting Survey Study

 
  • Researchers                                                                            4,000 USD
  • Stationery and communication                                                 1,000 USD
                                                                                Sub-Total: 5,000 USD 

5. Project Formulation

 
  • Writing project proposals                                                        6,000 USD

                                                                               Sub-Total: 6,000 USD

                                                 

                                                   Total Required Budget:      30,675 USD 

Suggested Working Groups The following Working Groups are expected to be established at the first annual General Assembly meeting:

i.    Analytical Chemistry

ii.   Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products

iii.  Materials Chemistry

iv.  Green Chemistry

v.   Environmental Chemistry

vi.  Chemical Education

vii. Industrial Chemistry

viii.Food and Agricultural Chemistry

ix. Biochemistry

x.  Geochemistry

xi. Theoretical and Computational Chemistry

Each Working Group will have a Chairperson who will be a member of the FASC Executive Committee.