Summary of the symposium

The Second Mali Symposium on Applied Sciences "MSAS 2002" was held at Centre Aoua K&eacuite;ita (Opening Ceremony)and the Faculty of Science and Technology (FAST) of Bamako University from Monday, July 8 to Friday, July 12, 2002. Continuing the pattern of the first symposium "MSAS 2000", the meeting was an international gathering of scientists, engineers and students interested in different fields of applied sciences. The conference was attended by 73 participants from 10 countries and featured 41 presentations including invited lectures, contributed papers, and tutorials. The symposium was also attended by Malian officials including the Minister of Education and his cabinet, the Rector of University of Bamako as well as the Coordinator of the Tokten (Transfer of Knowledge Through Naional Expatriates) Project.

A part from the technical presentations, participants discussed cooperation, the efficiency of short courses as well as ways to build bridges between academy and industy.

The conference was organized by MaliWatch with the cooperation of FAST and Malian Mathematical Society (MMS), and targeted three objectives : (1) to promote research activities within the fields of science and technology in Mali and Africa; (2) exchange perspectives for research collaboration between Malian researchers and others in Africa, Europe and North America within the fields of science and technology; and (3) offer advanced courses to students.

Abstract booklets of the Symposium papers have been prepared and distributed to the participants. The proceedings will be published by the end of the year.

The conference did not have any official sponsors. Most of the financial support was provided by MaliWatch, and more specifically by MSAS Executive Committee members with the cooperation of CERES Gallery. Before the closing ceremony a roundtable was organized. The purpose was to allow each participant to describe an area of interest in research and collaboration with other researchers, and to give his/her impression on the symposium and possibilities for enhancing future meetings. The organizers and participants expressed their appreciation the high level of the presentations. All articles presented at the symposium as well as the invited speakers, the list of participants, and the scientific and organizing committee members are reported in the MSAS web site (cf. www.maliwatch.org/MSAS).

Recommendations and Appreciations

Based on the discussion between the participants and the organizers the following recommendations have been retained in order to improve the forthcoming symposia.

• There should be a clear policy of information and explanation of MSAS to the local students and researchers at least three months before the meeting.
• There should be an active local organizing committee that will be in touch with the international organizing committee in a regular basis.
• The organizers should consider extending the symposium to social sciences.
• A greater involvement of the government and the university in organizing the forthcoming meetings.
• Industrial partners should be present in the forthcoming meetings and actively participate in the discussions.
• A bilateral cooperation between Tokten and MSAS.
• Extend the co-organization of the symposium to other faculties and Institutes.

The participants had also clearly enjoyed the successful events. In particular, the following points were highly appreciated.

• The participation of researchers from 10 different countries;
• The participation of English speaking researchers whose presentations were translated into Fench;
• Social event at Jasmine restaurant on Wednesday evening;
• Workshop Academy/Industry;
• Technical presentation of Malian graduate students with four awards for the best papers;
• Meeting with several Mali officials who promised an active role in the forthcoming meetings.

Acknowledgement

The organizers would like to thank Prof. Abdoul K. Sanogo, Prof. Gaoussou Traoré, Dr. Karim Samaké, Dr. Aboubacrine Ag Assadeck, and Dr. Oumar Doumbia of FAST for their hospitality. They thank the TOKTEN project for having taken care of the accommodations for two members of the MSAS co-ordination. Thanks also go to Prof. Daouda Sangaré, Prof. Nouzha El Yacoubi and Prof. Wilfred Gangbo who could not make it to this year symposium but gave relevant advice to the organizers.

The steering committee was especially honoured by the participation of the invited speakers (Prof. Adedoyin from Botwswana, Dr.Schonebroom and Ms. Boger from USA and Prof. Blaise Somé from Burkina Faso). We thank them for their participation and advice. We also thank all the other participants of the symposium.

We are grateful to the Office de Radio et Tlvision du Mali (ORTM) for helping us advertise about the symposium. Especially, we would like to thank Baly Idrissa Sissoko (TV Director) and the journalists Issouf Touré and Manga Dembélé.

We are also grateful for the support and the contribution of other individuals on Malilink (the Malian Worldwide Network on the Internet) and all those who have purchased MSAS Tee-shirts. We thank the volunteer students: Fatoumata Camara (FSJE), Fatoumata Cissé (FSJE), Seydou Houssouba (FSJE), Moussoda Touré (FAST), Adama Touré (ENI), Aicha Koné (FAST), Nagnouma H. Kéita (FAST), Fatoumata Traoré (FAST} and Mariam Sissoko (FAST). The symposium would have never been possible without their help.

Many thanks to the Distinguished Professor Diola Bagayoko who did a great job in helping to prepare the conference and to invite guest speakers. Special thanks go to the Family of Oumar Sacko (Lafiabougou) for doing a big and organized work in helping us with catering food to the attendants. The Steering Committe expresses the deepest sympathy to Prof. Alhousseini Bretaudeau (IPR), who had a car accident just before the beginning of MSAS. He is one the brains behind MSAS and one of the main supporter and advisor. We wish him to get well.

MSAS Coordination

Last modification on October 09, 2002