The 2010 TWAS-AAS-Microsoft Award for Young

The 2010 TWAS-AAS-Microsoft Award for Young Computer Scientists working in Africa Please read the information provided below to ensure that the candidate you are nominating fulfils all the requirements

GENERAL INFORMATION TWAS, the academy of sciences for the developing world – www.twas.org – is an autonomous international organization founded in Trieste, Italy in 1983. TWAS represents the best of science in the developing world. Its principal aim is to promote scientific capacity and excellence for sustainable development in the South. The administration and financial operation of TWAS is undertaken by UNESCO in accordance with an agreement signed by the two organizations. The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) – www.aasciences.org – is an honorific society that aims facilitate the development of scientific and technological capacity for science-led development in Africa. Founded in 1991, Microsoft Research is dedicated to conducting both basic and applied research in computer science and software engineering. Its goals are to enhance the user experience on computing devices, reduce the cost of writing and maintaining software, and invent novel computing technologies.

TWAS-AAS-MICROSOFT AWARD FOR YOUNG SCIENTISTS Microsoft Research, in partnership with TWAS, the academy of sciences for the developing world and AAS, the African Academy of Sciences, has established the TWAS-AAS-Microsoft Award for Young Scientists for the three year period 2009-2011.

PURPOSE The prize has been established to recognize young scientists working and living in Africa whose research in computer science has had or could have a positive impact in the developing world.

AWARDS Each year three winners will be selected from three different African countries. Each winner will receive EUR 7,000, generously contributed by Microsoft Research, of which EUR 2,000 may be spent at the recipient's discretion and EUR 5,000 shall be earmarked for further research. Each prize also carries a certificate bearing a citation highlighting the major contributions for which the prize is awarded. The prizes will be presented to the recipients at a special ceremony to be held each year in Nairobi, Kenya, and organized by TWAS and AAS.

ELIGIBILITY Nominees can be any nationality, but must have been resident and working in Africa for at least the two years immediately prior to their nomination. Nominees must have received their most recent degree (Master of PhD) within the previous 10 years. Employees of TWAS, AAS and Microsoft Research as well as employees of other industry research laboratories and anyone involved in the administration of this award, are not eligible. NOMINATIONS Nominations are invited from national science academies, previous winners, senior academics (heads of departments, heads of universities), members of TWAS and AAS, academics invited by Microsoft etc. Self-nomination or nomination by selection committee members is not accepted.

SELECTION PROCESS The selection process will be administered by TWAS in collaboration with AAS. The assessment will be based on past achievements in the field, rather than future plans, with the exception that where two candidates are deemed to be equal, the strength of proposed research programmes may be considered to select a winner. ENQUIRIES Additional information and nomination forms are available from the TWAS Secretariat ([email protected], www.twas.org/>Programmes>Prizes). Nominations for the 2010 prizes should be sent to:

TWAS-AAS-Microsoft Award for Young Scientists c/o TWAS, the academy of sciences for the developing world ICTP campus Strada Costiera 11 34151 Trieste, Italy Tel: +39 040 2240387 Fax: +39 040 22407387 E-mail: [email protected]

DEADLINE: 31 July 2010 TWAS–AAS–Microsoft Award for Young Computer Scientists working in Africa Nomination form 2010 Deadline: 31 July 2010 If you wish to complete this form electronically, save it in the format SURNAME_Initial.doc (eg SMITH_D.doc if the candidate's name is David SMITH), and send it to: [email protected]. Since we also need to have your signature on file, please then print out the first page of the nomination form, sign it and fax it to +39 040 2240689. If you opt for postal submission, print out the completed nomination form, sign it and send it by post to: TWAS-AAS-Microsoft Award for Young Scientists TWAS, the academy of sciences for the developing world ICTP campus - Strada Costiera, 11 34151 Trieste Italy Please note that the following three documents must be submitted: 1. This nomination form; 2. The candidate's curriculum vitae including his/her full list of publications; 3. Two reference letters. Nominator:

SURNAME: Name:

Position/Title:

Address (Institution): Phone:

E-mail:

Please provide a short explanation of why you are nominating this candidate and why you believe that his/her work had/could have an impact on the developing world:

Signature: Date:

Candidate:

SURNAME: Name:

Position/Title: Date of birth: Town and country of birth:

Address (Institution): Phone:

E-mail: Gender: Male Female Nationality: Present: Previous (if applicable):

One-page write-up of the candidate's major scientific accomplishments:

One-page write-up of the candidate's future research proposals:

Candidate's biographical information Biographical sketch of the candidate (2 pages max):

Degrees obtained: Date obtained: Awarding institution: BSc

Other awards:

Professional appointments: From - to: Employing institution:

List of 10 most significant publications (a complete list should be attached as separate file): 1. 2.

10. Referees (please provide the contact details of two referees)1: Surname Name E-mail address Postal address

1 Referees must send signed letters as attachments via e-mail directly to TWAS. The subject line must contain: "TWAS-AAS-Microsoft Award for Young Scientists"/ nominee’s surname. Alternatively, letters should be sent by post in sealed envelopes.