Empowering the Next Generation of Global Leaders

H.E. Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim is a highly successful biodiversity scientist, entrepreneur, and served as the 6th President of the Republic of Mauritius from 2015-2018. Among her many life accomplishments, Dr. Gurib-Fakim was among the 2016 Forbes “100 Most Powerful Women in the World” and 1st among their 2017 “Top 100 Women in Africa.” She was also honored as one of Foreign Policy’s 2015 “Global Thinkers.”

Dr. Gurib-Fakim will share her thoughts on developments in the Republic of Mauritius, her international philanthropic endeavors, and her expert insight on global sustainability and development.

Click here for H.E. Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim’s biography

Program Partners
 
Date:
Thursday, April 11th, 2019
Location:
Wake Forest University Charlotte Center
200 N. College Street. Ste. 150
Parking and Directions
Reception and Check-In: 5:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Presentation & Discussion: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Cost:
$20 WACC Member
$30 Non Member Rate
$10   WACC TMS/Teacher/Student Member*
*Must be a WACC Member at this level to qualify

 

 

 

  • Register online
  • Credit card payments (non-PayPal transactions): Please call 704-687-7762 for payment processing over the phone
  • Check payments: Please make your check payable to “World Affairs Council of Charlotte” and mail it to the following address:

World Affairs Council of Charlotte
UNC Charlotte – CHHS 227
9201 University City Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28223

All reservation cancellations must be completed at least 3 business days prior to an event for a full refund. Pease let us know in advance if you have dietary restrictions so that we can make the appropriate accommodations.

Biography

Ameenah Gurib-Fakim has been, prior to joining the State House, the Managing Director of the Centre International de Développement Pharmaceutique (CIDP) Research and Innovation as well as Professor of Organic Chemistry with an endowed chair at the University of Mauritius. Since 2001, she has served successively as Dean of the Faculty of Science and Pro Vice Chancellor (2004- 2010). She has also worked at the Mauritius Research Council as Manager for Research (1995-1997).

Ms Gurib-Fakim earned a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Surrey (1983) and a PhD from the University of Exeter, UK (1987). During her academic journey, she has participated in several consultation meetings on environmental issues organized by international organizations. Between 2011-2013, she was elected and served as Chairperson of the International Council for Scientific Union – Regional Office for Africa, and served as an Independent Director on the Board of Barclays Bank of Mauritius Ltd between (2012-2015).

As a Founding Member of the Pan African Association of African Medicinal Plants, she co-authored the first ever African Herbal Pharmacopoeia. She has authored and co-edited 28 books, several book chapters and scientific articles in the field of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. She has lectured extensively across the world; is a Member of the Editorial Boards of major journals, has served on Technical and national committees in various capacities. Elevated to the Order of the Commander of the Star and Key by the Government of Mauritius in 2008, she has been admitted to the Order of the Chevalier dans L’Ordre des Palmes Academiques by the Government of France in 2010 and is the recipient of 4 DSc (s).

Elected Fellow of several academies and societies, Ms Gurib-Fakim received several international prizes including the 2007 l’Oreal-UNESCO Prize for Women in Science, the African Union Commission Award for Women in Science, 2009.

On 05 June 2015, she was sworn in as the 6th President and the First Female President of the Republic of Mauritius and served in that capacity until March 2018.

She was elevated to the Order of GCSK by the Government of Mauritius, and received the Legion d’Honneur from the Government of France in 2016. In 2017, she received both the lifelong achievement award of the United States Pharmacopoeia-CePat Award and the American Botanical Council Norman Farnsworth Excellence in Botanical Research Award. In 2018, she received the Order of St George at the Semperopernball, Dresden, Germany and the Global Energy Parliament Award, State of Kerala, India.

In June 2016, she was in the Forbes List for the 100 ‘Most Powerful women in the world’ and 1stamong the Top 100 Women in Africa Forbes List 2017. She is honoured as one of Foreign Policy’s2015 Global Thinkers.