Outlook
Dec 15, 2010
9
campus news
Interview with Dr. Saouma Bou Jaoude
Professor appointed as fellow in the academy of sciences for the developing World Nader Al Ahmadieh Staff Writer It’s not unfamiliar news to hear that a member of the AUB community, whether faculty or student, has earned a special achievement or has made a special contribution to his or her community. In fact, many examples have been recorded over the years, where AUB members have stood out and shined in various fields, having fulfilled the statement of living life more abundantly. Recently, another one of these achievements has been added to the records, where Education professor Dr. Saouma Bou Jaoude has been elected as a fellow in the academy of sciences for the developing world. Outlook had the opportunity of meeting with Dr. Bou Jaoude to discuss his newly earned position. Dr. Saouma, congratulations on your newly appointed position. Can you give us a small overview of this? Thank you. Well, I have been elected as a fellow in the academy of sciences for the developing world, also known as TWAS. TWAS is an international organization, which was founded in 1983 by the Pakistani Noble prize winner Abdus Salam and is now based in Italy. This organization aims to promote scientific excellence and develop education in the South; it’s powered by the joint collaborative efforts of its fellows who work in different countries of the world and constitute almost 85% of the members. TWAS has strong associations with organizations
like UNESCO and ICTP and works on objectives such as responding to the needs of young scientists, encouraging scientific research and others. What things did you do or what kind of work did you accomplish for you to get accepted into this worldwide organization? The funny part is that I was not expecting to be elected in TWAS, although a couple of years ago I won an award from them, the regional prize for material and school science curriculum. The method to get in is that someone nominates you for the position, and then would ask for your CV, and they would take a look at the work that you’ve been doing over the past years. Afterwards, they would decide whether to elect you or not, so it’s an electionbased membership. So, after I was nominated, I sent my CV, and after a while I got a letter from Jacob Palis that congratulates me for being elected as a fellow in TWAS. Since election is based on work in the past years, as you said, can you give us a brief summary of your work over these past few years? Well, my work over the past years can be categorized under three titles: research, teaching and service. My recent research over the years was related to the teaching of evolution and its methods. As for teaching, I teach education courses here at AUB,
Photo by Nader Al Ahmadieh
science education courses in particular, and I have master’s students working on their thesis. With regards to the service, and that means the service you do for your career, I review magazine articles [and] conduct teacher workshops. I am a member of the executive committee of supreme education, which is based in Qatar. Also, I conduct teacher workshops in Egypt, Oman, Qatar, Lebanon and Jordan. Concerning TWAS, what are your future plans or work projects with this organization?
Actually, no work is planned yet; my fellowship position is still new and I am waiting for my initiation first, which will take place next year in a conference in Morocco. Then, after that is done, I would see what plans I would have. Dr. Bou Jaoude, what is your personal impression or feeling after having accomplished this achievement, which is like an award, considering the importance of an organization like TWAS? It feels good to know that your
work is being recognized and it gives you more incentive to keep working as hard as usual. Being appreciated is like a validation of one’s work; you feel like you’re doing something right, and in academia you don’t usually have that kind of thing. On behalf of myself and Outlook, I would like to thank you for your time. Congratulations again, and we wish you more great achievements in the future. You’re most welcome.
“Being appreciated is like a validation of one’s work; you feel like you’re doing something right, and in academia you don’t usually have that kind of thing.” - Professor Saouma Bou Jaoude