1. The main theme has been the improvement of oilseed crops with particular emphasis on sesame
Project leader of a national research programme on witchweed (Striga hermonthica), a weed parasite on sorghum (Feb. 1980 – Nov. 1983). Ten research scientists and a number of graduate students participated in this project which was financed by the IDRC (Canada).
The main theme has been the improvement of oilseed crops with particular emphasis on sesame.
2. Project leader of a national research programme on witchweed (Striga hermonthica), a weed parasite on sorghum (Feb. 1980 – Nov. 1983). Ten research scientists and a number of graduate students participated in this project which was financed by the IDRC (Canada).
1. Editor-in-Chief of the University of Khartoum Journal of Agricultural Sciences since its inception in 1993
2. Member of the Advisory Board of Discovery and Innovation, which is published by the African Academy of Sciences in collaboration with the Third World Academy of Sciences, since 1988
3. Scientific advisor to “Sudan Journal of Basic Sciences (Series B., Biological Scences)”, published by Sudan Institute for Natural Sciences, Sudan
4. Member of the Advisory Board of “Al Buhuth,”, published by the National Centre for Research, Sudan
5. Chief Editor of Sudan Agricultural Journal (1970-1975) and member and secretary of its editorial board (1968-1970)
6. Editor and member of the Advisory Board of the Sudan Journal of Food Science and Technology for three years
7. Member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Arab Scientific Research (1979-83) and Chief Editor of the same (1984-1986). The journal was published (in Arabic) by the Federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils (FASRC) between 1979 and 1986.
8. Editor of The Young Researcher – a popular scientific magazine for children (1976-79)
9. Participated in writing and edited the following national papers :-
i.Sudan paper to the UN Desertification Conference (1977)
ii.Sudan paper to the UN Conference on Technical Cooperation
Among Developing Countries (1978)
iii.Sudan paper for UNCSTD (1979)
10. Participated in editing eleven proceedings of conferences and workshops published by the Federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils (1984-1990), as well as a guide to research centres and a guide to the periodicals in the Arab world
11. Edited the proceedings of the Agricultural Conference held in Khartoum in March 1996
12. Edited a Training Manual for FAORNE (1997) entitled “Assessing On-farm Implication of Economic Policy”, 145p
13. Revised and edited a report on the “Olive-sub-sector in Syria” for FAORNE (July/Aug., 1999) and a report on Agricultural strategy in Syria (2000)
14. Edited a report on “Vegetables in Abu Dhabi” for FAORNE (Aug.,1999)
15. Participated in writing and editing a book entitled “Agriculture in the Sudan” (in Arabic, 1999), published by the Ministry of Agriculutre and Forestry, Sudan
1. Leader of a team that formulated the oil seeds programme for the Arab world as part of the Arab Food Security Programme. The study was sponsored by the Arab Organization. for Agric. Development (AOAD), 1980.
2. Member of a team that carried out a technical and socio-economic study of the Gash Scheme, Sudan. AOAD, 1978.
3. Member of a team that carried out a technical and economic feasibility study for the development of 500,000 acres in the Damazin area, Sudan, 1975.
4. Leader of a team that studied the problems of mechanized crop production in the Gedaref region, Sudan, 1975.
5. Consultant to the IFC mission that re-evaluated the Seleit Food Production Scheme, Sudan.
6. Wrote a technical report to AOAD on the problems of oilseed production in the Arab world, 1991.
7. Member of a 3-man mission that wrote an evaluation report to AOAD on the Oilseed Development Project which was funded by UNDP and executed by AOAD in Sudan and Yemen, 1995.
8. Leader of AOAD Mission for the preparation of “A Principal Frame for the Development of Production and Industrialization of Oil Seeds in the Arab world”. (Nov./Dec., 1996). 203p.
9. Leader of the Terminal Evaluation Mission of the UNDP financed project “On-farm Research in Traditional Rain-fed Areas in the Sudan”. (Feb./March,1997)- UNDP, Khartoum, Sudan.
10. International Consultant to the “ Sudan Programme Development Mission”, (March/April/May,1997)-FAORNE
Other Activities in the University of Khartoum:
1. Head of the Department of Agronomy (July, 1972 – July, 1974), and acting Dean on several occasions.
2. Member of the University Senate (1967, 1972 – 1974, 1979-1983, 1990-to date) and served on its Advisory Committee for Academic Affairs and its committee on Honorary Degrees (1992-1994).
3. Member of the Faculty Board of Agriculture and member of the Faculty Research Board.
4. Representative of the Shambat Campus (Faculties of Agriculture and Veterinary Science) on the Staff Affairs Committee (1972 – 1973).
5. Member of the Board of the University Farm (1972-1974).
6. Chariman of the committee that reveiwed and recommended reforms of the Univ. of Khartoum Senate.
7. Member of the Steering Committee that organized the UNESCO conference on “Teaching of Tropical Agronomy”, which was held in the University of Khartoum in 1972.
8. Member of the Post-graduate Studies Committee of the University of Khartoum (1972/73).
9. Representative of the Faculty of Agric. on the Graduate College Board (1973-1974 and 1979-1981).
10. Convenor of the Faculty Board sub-committee for evaluating the criteria of classifying the B.Sc. (Agric., Honours) degree, and wrote the final report (1968).
11. Member of the committees that revised the syllabi in the Faculty of Agriculture.
12. Member of the Arabicization Committee of the Faculty of Agric., Univ. of Khartoum.
13. Represented the Sudan in the FAO/UNEP/IBPGR conference on Crop Genetic Resources (Rome; April, 1981).
14. Member of the Development and Planning Committee of the Univ. of Khartoum (1998-1999), and chairman of its sectorial committee on Agric., Vet. Science, Forestry and Animal Production (1998).
15. Chairman of the committe that studied and evaluated the cultural agreements between the University of Khartoum and foreign teaching and research institutions (1992).
16. Member of a committee that studied the status of the research institutes and centres of the University of Khartoum.
17. Member of the Board of Directors of the Scientific Research and Cultural Relations of the University of Khartoum.
18. Member of a committee that carried out a situation analysis study of the University of Khartoum, and chairman of its sub-committee on scientific research (2004-2005)
Extra-curricular Activities while in the University of Khartoum:
1. Member of the Agricultural Research Council (National Council for Research), 1972-79, and convenor of its Plant Production sub-committee from 1973 to 1976.
2. Member of the Sudan Atomic Energy Commission. Was one of the Sudan delegates to the meeting of the Board of Governors and the General Conference of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) which were held in Vienna in September, 1974.
3. Member of the Steering Committee of the First National Conference on Agriculture which was held in 1972. Was the co-author of one of the six working papers presented to the conference.
4. Member of the Steering Committees of the Agricultural Conferences held in April, 1975 and 1976, and co-editor of several contributions made to the 1975 conference.
5. Represented the University of Khartoum on several committees of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, e.g., Senior Scholarships Committee, Promotion Committee.
6. External examiner in Crop Science to the University of Zambia (1974, 1975 and 1976).
7. External examiner to Shambat Institute of Agriculture (1968 and 1973 – 1976).
8. Member of the Task Force for Research Planning in Universities (Sudan – UNESCO – UNDP Project on Evaluation and Promotion of Science Policy in the Sudan).
9. Leader of a four-man team that formulated the degree structure, the courses and the manpower and material requirements of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, Sudan.
10. Member of one of the national committees of the “Education Sector Review” (Ministry of Education). Prepared a working paper on “Agricultural Education in the Sudan : Past, present and future”.
11. The only Sudanese on a committee of five experts that worked for five years (1981-1985) to produce the Arabic Agricultural Dictionary; 16 volumes were published (AOAD).
12. Member (1976-79) and Chairman (1980-83) of the Committee for Evaluating Higher Degrees (National Council for Higher Education).
13. Consultant to the FAO on “The Role of Universities in Strengthening National Agric. Research Systems (NARS) in the Developing Countries” (Rome 1990/1991). Prepared for the Consultation and wrote the background documents and final report.
14. Member of the Board of Directors of the National Research Centre, Sudan, and of its Executive and Finance Committee (1992- to date).
15. Member of the Agricultural Council, Sudan (1997- 2004).
16. Member of the committee that formulated the 2002 – 2027 Sudan Strategy for Field Crops.
17. Member of the Advisory Council for the Economic Committee of the National Salvation Revolution Council (1991/92)
18. Chairman of the Scientific Research Committee of the Ministy of Higher Education and Scientific Resarch since 2002
Activities as Secretary-General, N.C.R. (1976-1979):
1. Was appointed by a Presidential Decree as Secretary-General, National Council for Research (N.C.R.) in August 1976, for a period of three years. According to the N.C.R. Act, the Secretary-General also shoulders the responsibilities of the Chairman (who was of ministerial status) during his absence or illness.
2. Was responsible for the administration of all the councils and units under the N.C.R. umbrella, e.g., Agric. Res. Council, Medical Res. Council, Scientific and Technological Res. Council, Economic and Social Res. Council, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants Unit, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Oceanographic Institute.
3. Participated as Head (or Alternate Head) of the Sudan delegations to a number of regional and international conferences and meetings. The following are some examples :-
Fifth Meeting of the Preparatory Committee of UNCSTD (New York,
June/July 1978).
Ministerial Meeting of the Group of 77 to prepare for UNCSTD
(Bucharest, Aug. 1979).
United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development
(UNCSTD) (Vienna, Aug./Sept. 1979).
Intergovernmental Meeting of African Experts to establish an African
Centre for Technology (Arusha, Tanzania, Oct. 1977).
Meeting of the Executive Board of the African Regional Centre for
Technology (Addis Ababa, April/May 1979).
Intergovernmental Meeting of African States to establish an African
Remote Sensing Centre (Nairobi, Jan. 1977).
The 20th General Conference of UNESCO, 1978). Was elected
Rapporteur of the Natural Science Commission.
Four meetings of the Council of FASRC (Federation of Arab Scientific
Research Councils), 1977 and 1978.
Three meetings of the Council of the Middle East Radioisotope Centre
for Arab Countries (Cairo, 1977-79).
The U.N. Conference on Desertification (Nairobi Aug./Sept., 1977). Was
head of the <country-region Sudan -region> delegations to the
preparatory meetings of Africa (Nairobi, April 1977) and the Arab
countries (Bludan – Syria, June 1977).
The 20th General conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) -region Brazil, 1976).
4. Invited and attended, in my personal capacity, a number of meetings,
symposia and conferences, e.g., Conference on Science and Technology
Policy for Development (Singapore, 1979), AAASA/IITA Workshop on Crop
Genetic Resources in Africa (Ibadan, Nigeria, 1978), Conference on Science
and Technology Policy for Jordan (Amman, 1978).
5. Chairman or member of several Committees, Boards and Councils. The
following are examples :-
Chairman, Natural Sciences Committee of the National Committee of UNESCO.
Chairman, National Committee on Environment.
Chairman, National Remote Sensing Committee.
Member of the Board of Directors of ACSAD (Arab Centre for the Studies of Arid and Dry Lands).
Member of the Board of the Agric. Res. Corporation, Sudan
Member of the Council of the Ahfad University College for Women.
Member of the Board of Trustees of El Salamabi Philanthropic Foundation.
Member of the Board of Khartoum University Press.
Member of the National Council for Arts and Letters.
Member of the Higher Council for Curricula, Training and Publication (Ministry of Education and Guidance).
6. Member of a committee of experts that launched a “Study of Action Priorities in the Field of Scientific and Technological Research in the Arab World” FASRC (Federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils) – Baghdad, 1978.
7. Member of the Committee for selecting centres of excellence in the Arab World (FASRC – 1982).Was appointed by a Presidential Decree as Secretary-General, National Council for Research (N.C.R.) in August 1976, for a period of three years. According to the N.C.R. Act, the Secretary-General also shoulders the responsibilities of the Chairman (who was of ministerial status) during his absence or illness.
8. Was responsible for the administration of all the councils and units under the N.C.R. umbrella, e.g., Agric. Res. Council, Medical Res. Council, Scientific and Technological Res. Council, Economic and Social Res. Council, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants Unit, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Oceanographic Institute.
9. Participated as Head (or Alternate Head) of the Sudan delegations to a number of regional and international conferences and meetings. The following are some examples :-
Fifth Meeting of the Preparatory Committee of UNCSTD (New York, June/July 1978).
Ministerial Meeting of the Group of 77 to prepare for UNCSTD (Bucharest, Aug. 1979).
United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development (UNCSTD) (Vienna, Aug./Sept. 1979).
Intergovernmental Meeting of African Experts to establish an African
Centre for Technology (Arusha, Tanzania, Oct. 1977).
Meeting of the Executive Board of the African Regional Centre for
Technology (Addis Ababa, April/May 1979).
Intergovernmental Meeting of African States to establish an African Remote Sensing Centre (Nairobi, Jan. 1977).
The 20th General Conference of UNESCO Paris 1978). Was elected Rapporteur of the Natural Science Commission.
Four meetings of the Council of FASRC (Federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils), 1977 and 1978.
Three meetings of the Council of the Middle East Radioisotope Centre for Arab Countries (Cairo, 1977-79).
The U.N. Conference on Desertification (Nairobi Aug./Sept., 1977). Was head of the Sudan delegations to the preparatory meetings of Africa (Nairobi, April 1977) and the Arab countries (Bludan – Syria, June 1977).
The 20th General conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Brazil 1976).
10. Invited and attended, in my personal capacity, a number of meetings, symposia and conferences, e.g., Conference on Science and Technology Policy for Development (Singapore, 1979), AAASA/IITA Workshop on Crop Genetic Resources in Africa (Ibadan, Nigeria, 1978), Conference on Science and Technology Policy for Jordan (Amman, 1978).
11. Chairman or member of several Committees, Boards and Councils. The following are examples :-
i. Chairman, Natural Sciences Committee of the National Committee of
UNESCO.
ii. Chairman, National Committee on Environment.
iii. Chairman, National Remote Sensing Committee.
iv. Member of the Board of Directors of ACSAD (Arab Centre for the Studies
of Arid and Dry Lands).
v. Member of the Board of the Agric. Res. Corporation, Sudan
vi. Member of the Council of the Ahfad University for Women.
vii. Member of the Board of Trustees of El Salamabi Philanthropic
Foundation.
viii. Member of the Board of Khartoum University Press.
ix. Member of the National Council for Arts and Letters.
x. Member of the Higher Council for Curricula, Training and Publication
(Ministry of Education and Guidance).
12. Member of a committee of experts that launched a “Study of Action Priorities in the Field of Scientific and Technological Research in the Arab World” FASRC (Federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils) – Baghdad, 1978.
13. Member of the Committee for selecting centres of excellence in the Arab World (FASRC – 1982).
Activities as Secretary-General, FASRC (1984 – 1990):
Was nominated by the Sudan Government and elected by the Council of the Federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils (FASRC) as Secretary-General of the Federation. FASRC is an intergovernmental organization whose membership included 15 Arab countries. Its H.Q. was in Baghdad and is financed by Member States.
The first term started 1/1/84 and expired 31/12/1986 and was elected for a second term 1/1/87 – 31/12/89) which was extended by six months (1/1 – 30/6/1990).
The Secretary-General is the chief executive of FASRC. His duties include preparation of the programmes, laws and by-laws, budget and annual reports, and presenting them to the Council. He is also responsible for representation of the Federation in meetings and conferences, signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding, and appointment of the staff of the secretariat.
Hereunder are some of my activities while holding the post of Secretary-General, FASRC :-
1. In the capacity of Secretary-General of FASRC, or in my personal capacity, was a member of :-
Committee on Science and Technology Strategy for the Arab World (1985-1988).
Arab Committee for Post-Graduate Studies and Scientific Research (1985-90).
Both Committees (i & ii) were formed and financed by the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO).
The Standing Committee on the Status of Science and Technology in the Third World (1988 – 90) Third World Academy of Sciences).
2. In my capacity as Secretary-General of FASRC, or in my personal capacity, I participated in the following meetings :-
First meeting of the Arab Committee for Post-graduate Studies and Scientific Research (Tunis 18-21/3/1985).
Meeting of PAMERAR (Programme for Assessment and Mitigation of Earthquake Risk in the Arab Region) (Tunis, 26-28/3/1985).
Meetings of the Committee for the Development of Science and Technology Strategy in the Arab World (one in Tunis in 1985 and seven in Damascus 1985, 86, 87 and 88).
13th and 14th meetings of UNESCWA at the Ministerial Level (Baghdad 24-25/4/1985; 4-5/4/1987).
Meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee on Science and Technology for Development (New York 28/5-7/6/85) and Fourth Session of the High Level Committee on the Review of TCDC New York 28-31/5/85).
Second Meeting of Directors of Scientific Research in the Arab Gulf States, organized by the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States (Dhahran, Saudi Arabia 23-25/9/1985).
Meting of the Expert Group on “Scientific and Technological Cooperation among Countries of Western Asia”, organized by UNESCWA (Baghdad 1-3/10/1985).
UNESCO General Conference (Sofia 8/10-12/11/1985).
ALECSO General Conference (Tunis 21-27/12/1985).
Sixth Ordinary Session of the Council of the Arab Federation for Technical Education Mauritania 10-11/2/86).
Meetings of the Council of the Association of Arab Universities (Amman 16-18/3/1986; Sana’a 14-16/2/88).
Third Meeting of the Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, Organization of the Islamic Conference Islamabad 19-22/11/86).
High Level Expert Meeting to discuss UNESCWA Mid-term Plan (Amman 29-30/1/1987).
Meeting for the Establishment of the Network of Scientific Organizations in the Third World, and Seminar on Global Problems of Science and Technology (Trieste, Italy 4-6/10/1988).
3. Participated in a number of conferences, workshops and seminars, e.g.
Regional Conference on “Potentials for Strengthening Management in National Agric. Research”. Organized by ISNAR (International Service for National Agric. Research) (Amman 7-10/10/1984).
Conference on “Policy Oriented Systems Analysis of the Agric. Sectors of Jordan and <place w:st=”on”><country-region w:st=”on”>Sudan</country-region></place>”. Organized by Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation (Amman 27-28/11/1984).
Workshop on “Modern Administration in Scientific Research Institutions”. Organized by FASRC (Baghdad, 24-27/11/1984).
Agricultural Research on Basic Food Crops, Organized by the International Centre for Agric. Research in the Dry Areas (Aleppo, Syria 31/3 – 4/4/1985).
Seminar on “Appropriate Standards for Industrial Pollutants Permissible in Various Arab Environments”. Organized by FASRC (Doha, Qatar 19-22/10/1985).
Seminar on “Problems of Scientific Publication in the Arab World”. Organized by FASRC (Al-Ain, UAE 4-6/11/1985).
Workshop on “Genetic Engineering and its Applications in the Arab World”. Organized by FASRC (Baghdad 18-20/11/1985).
Seventh General Conference of IFSSO (International Foundation of Social Science Organizations) and the 4th Session of the General Assembly (New Delhi 2-5/12/1985).
Third Arab Workshop on Seismology. Organized by FASRC (Riyadh 8-10/3/1986).
Seminar on “Preparation of Scientific and Technological Strategies”. Organized by the Committee for the Development of S.& T. Strategy in the Arab World (Damascus 28/4 – 2/5/1986).
Conference on “Medicinal Plants and their Development in the Arab World”. Organized by FASRC (Baghdad 24-27/11/1986).
Seminar on “Catalysts in Oil and Chemical Industries”. Organized by FASRC (Doha, Qatar 20-22/12/1986).
Seminar on “Application of Research Results for the Development of the Arab Society”. Organized by FASRC and ABEGS (Baghdad 11-14/4/1987).
Workshop on “Importance of Utilization of Biomas Energy in the Arab World”. Organized by FASRC (Riyadh 20-22/4/1987).
Symposium on the “Protection of Biotechnological Inventions”. Organized by WIPO and Cornell University (Ithaca, N.Y. 4-5/6/1987).
Second General Conference of the Third World Academy of Sciences (Beijing 14-18/9/1987).
International Symposium on “Work in a Hot Environment and Heat Related Disorders” (Khartoum 27-31/1/1988). It was co-sponsored by FASRC.
Seminar on “Status of the Arab Researcher”. Organized by FASRC (Damascus 14-16/3/1988).
First Arab Conference on “Perspectives of Modern Biotechnologies in the Arab Countries”. Organized by FASRC, ESCWA, UNIDO, UNEP, etc.. (Amman 27-30/3/1989).
First Conference on Basic Sciences. Organized by the Centre of Basic Sciences (Tripoli 22-28/9/1989).
First Conference on Environmental Sciences. Organized by the Centre of Basic Sciences and the Centre of Engineering Sciences (Sabha, Libya 27-31/1/1990).
Conference on Scientific Writing in Arabic. Organized by ADI and ROSTAS (UNESCO) (Benghazi 10-13/3/1990).
4. Participated in editing a number of proceedings published by FASRC, such as :-
Second Arab Workshop on Seismology.
Modern Scientific Administration in Scientific Research Institutions.
Water Requirements of Crops and Trees in Different Arab Environments.
Evaluation of Modern Irrigation Methods and their Application in the Arab World.
Appropriate Standards for Industrial Pollutants Permissible in Various Arab Environments.
Problems of Scientific Publication in the Arab World.
Genetic Engineering and its Application in the Arab World.
Importance of Tissue Culture and its Use in Plant Production.
Medicinal Plants and their Development in the Arab World.
Application of Research Results for the Development of the Arab Society.
Status of the Arab Researcher.
Also participated in revising and editing the following publications :-
Directory of Scientific and Technological Research Centres in the Arab World.
Directory of Scientific Periodicals in the Arab World.
5. Participated in writing or in revising and editing the following papers :-
“Advanced Technologies : Positive and Negative Implications on Arab Society”. A paper presented to the Seminar on “Evaluation of the Development of Relations between Science and Technology and Society in Arab Countries” (Doha/Qatar 1-4/12/1986). Organized by Scientific and Applied Research Centre (SARC), Qatar University – 34 p.
“Status of Scientific Research in the Arab World”. A paper prepared jointly by FASRC and the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States and presented to the Seminar on “Application of Research Results for the Development of the Arab Society” (Baghdad 11-14/4/1987) – 58 p.
“Coordination Between Arab Countries in the Field of Remote Sensing”. A paper presented to the French/Qatari Regional Symposium on Remote Sensing (Doha 23-25/2/1988) – 21 p.
“Status of Arab Capabilities in Science and Technology”. A paper presented to the Symposium on “Scopes and Effects of Advanced and Renewed Technologies on Arab Societies” (Doha/Qatar 21-24/11/1989). Organized by SARC/Qatar University and UNESCO – 50 p.
“The Use of Biomass Energy in the Production of Biogas in the Arab World”. A paper presented to the Seminar on “The Use of Biogas in Rural Areas of Selected Arab Countries” (Cairo 26/11 – 1/12/1988). Organized by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA) – 29 p.
