Image: Radio Algérienne, [CC BY 3.0], via YouTube
Algeria’s Mohamed Belhocine woos journalists in first media briefing
The African Union’s incoming commissioner for education, science, technology and innovation used his first public appearance last week to extend a hand to the continent’s journalists.
“You are the link between us and public opinion. You are most welcome at any time to contact my department,” Mohamed Belhocine (pictured) told a 2 February media briefing on the sidelines of the 40th ordinary session of the AU’s executive council.
“My department is open and I would like us to be partners in the work to make the work of the department known,” he said.
Belhocine’s comments prompted Esther Tankou, head of information at the AU’s information and communication directorate, to quip: “We are very happy to see an open, media-friendly commissioner.”
Belhocine briefed the media on two long-running initiatives of his department: The Pan African University and Africa’s Outer Space Flagship programme, which aims to position the continent as a global space industry player.
There were no agenda items on science, technology and innovation at the AU heads of state summit that followed the executive council meeting because the political grouping in charge of those deliberations failed to hold its annual meeting last year.
The grouping will definitely meet this year, an AU official assured Research Professional News this week. But no date has yet been set.