The NRF Congratulates Prof Hassina Mouri for her Appointment as the IUGS President, 2024-2028

Professor Hassina Mouri, who conducts research in Medical Geology at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), is the first female and the first African geoscientist to be elected as President of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), one of the world’s largest scientific organisations. In 2020, Prof Mouri became the first African female to be appointed as the Vice President of IUGS.

Founded in 1961, with members representing over a million geoscientists, IUGS promotes and encourages international cooperation 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.

Prof Mouri is a metamorphic geologist by training, however, in 2013, she started developing an interest in Medical Geology with a focus on issues related to the African continent. She has presented her work at several international conferences, and published in several international journals.

Prof Mouri 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”.

Dr Sepo Hachigonta, Director of Business Advancement at the NRF, highlighted the important role of the President of IUGS in positioning African experts as thought leaders within the global science system.

Professor Mouri noted, “I am truly honoured and grateful to 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.”

IUGS is one of the International Science Council (ISC) unions supported by the NRF in partnership with the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), and the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) supporting the participation of prominent South African experts to participate in the ISC governing structures.