Prof. Hassina Mouri of U.J. elected as first African female President of world’s largest scientific organisations

Prof Hassina Mouri

The University of Johannesburg (UJ)’s Professor Hassina Mouri, is the first African female geoscientist to be elected as the President of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS).

The IUGS is one of the world’s largest scientific organisations.

Founded in 1961, with members representing over a million geoscientists, IUGS promotes and encourages international co-operation and participation in the study of geological problems, especially those of worldwide significance. It also supports and facilitates international and interdisciplinary cooperation in the Earth sciences.

In her role, Prof Mouri’s work will see her help to position African experts as thought leaders within the global science system.

“I am truly honoured and grateful to National Research Foundation (NRF) South Africa for the trust placed in me to nominate me for such a prestigious position and for all members of the council for their support of my nomination. It is indeed a great privilege and an honour to be given the opportunity to lead such a prestigious union,” commented Prof Mouri.

A Professor in Medical Geology, Prof Mouri is a metamorphic geologist by training.

In 2013, she started developing the discipline of Medical Geology with a focus mainly on issues related to the African continent. She has presented her work at several international conferences, and published in several international journals.

In 2020, she became the first African female to be appointed as the Vice President of IUGS.

Prof Mouri has studied and worked in different institutions on three continents (Africa, Europe and America), is the former chairperson of the South African National Committee for the IUGS (2017-2020) and former member of the advisory board of the South African Journal Of Science (SAJS).

She currently serves as a convener on the NRF rating researchers panel (Earth Science) and was appointed to the recently established “International Science Council South Africa National Governing body”.

Adds Prof Annah Moteetee, Executive Dean, Faculty of Science: “Prof Mouri’s presidency marks a new chapter in global leadership, and UJ is proud to be the home of such pioneering talent. Her trailblazing achievement speaks to UJ’s values of empowerment, transformation, and academic excellence. She is an inspiration to the next generation of leaders. We celebrate this moment of African leadership on the world stage.”