Professor Salim Abdool Karim, former President and CEO of the South African Medical Council (SAMRC) and now Director of the organisation’s HIV-TB Pathogenesis and Treatment Research Unit, is the newly elected Vice-President: Outreach and Engagement for the Governing Board of the International Science Council (ISC).
Karim was among the 14 world-renowned science scholars who were elected at the 2nd ISC General Assembly that took place from 11-15 October 2021. They are joining the incoming President of the ISC, Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, who takes up his presidency at the conclusion of the 2021 General Assembly, with the Council’s CEO also serving on the Governing Board as an ex officio member.
Established in 2018 following the merger between the International Council for Science (ICSU) and the International Social Science Council (ISSC), the ISC is an international non-governmental organization that works to provide a global voice for science. With its unique global membership of over 200 international scientific bodies including Unions and Associations, as well as regional and national scientific organizations including Academies and Research Councils, the Council works to catalyse and convene scientific expertise, advice and influence on issues of major concern to both science and society.
The new Governing Board, which is a central decision-making body of the Council, is expected to provide scientific and strategic leadership to the Council for the next three years. Amongst its responsibilities, the sixteen-member team, will develop priority activity and business plans for approval by the General Assembly, as well as monitor the implementation and performance of such plans.
Also Director and Co-Founder of the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), a close associate-organisation of the SAMRC, Karim’s immense scientific contributions to HIV prevention and treatment and very recently, COVID-19 research in South Africa and by extension in Africa and abroad, continues to earn him roles in various international science and health bodies. Recently, he got appointed to the newly formed World Health Organization (WHO) Science Council – here at home, he served as the chairperson of the South African ministerial advisory committee (MAC) on COVID-19 where he led a team of 49 public health experts.
The SAMRC congratulates Prof Karim on the recognition of his significant contributions to science, internationally and on his appointment to an organisation that seeks to be the mouthpiece of science on a global stage.
Governing Board of the International Science Council | Full List