Professor Mohamed Hag Ali Hassan

Mohamed Hag Ali Hag el Hassan OMRI GCONMC FAAS FIAS FTWAS, born on November 21, 1947, is a distinguished Sudanese-Italian mathematician and physicist renowned for his pivotal role in establishing numerous scientific councils. He currently holds the prestigious position of President at both The World Academy of Sciences and the Sudanese National Academy of Sciences.

Early Years:
Hassan was born in Elgetina, Sudan, on November 21, 1947. His academic journey commenced with a Bachelor’s degree with special honors from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne in 1968. Subsequently, he pursued a Master of Science in Advanced Mathematics at the University of Oxford in 1969, followed by a Doctorate in Plasma Physics from the same institution in 1974.

Career:
Returning to Sudan, Hassan embarked on a distinguished academic career, serving as a Professor and Dean of the School of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Khartoum from 1985 to 1986. Fueled by a desire to combat scientific stagnation, he ventured to Italy, where he found renewed inspiration under the mentorship of Nobel laureate Abdus Salam at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste. This experience propelled Hassan into a prolific research career spanning theoretical plasma physics, fusion energy, environmental modeling, geophysics, astrophysics, and space physics.

Hassan’s contributions extend beyond his research endeavors; he played a pivotal role in founding and leading several influential scientific organizations. Notably, he served as the founding Executive Director of the Academy of Science for the Developing World (TWAS) in 1983, President of the African Academy of Sciences in 2000, and President of the Network of Academies of Science in Africa (NASAC) in 2001. His leadership extended to global platforms, including the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP), where he served as co-chair and the Council of the United Nations University (UNU), where he held the position of chairman.
Hassan’s outstanding contributions to science have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards and honors. Notable among these are the Comendador (1996) and Grand Cross (2005) of the Brazilian National Order of Scientific Merit, Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (2003), and the G77 Leadership Award and Abdus Salam Medal for Science and Technology.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Hassan enjoys a fulfilling personal life. He is married and has three children.

Selected Publications:
1. “Small Things and Big Changes in the Developing World” (2005)
2. “Can Science Save Africa?” (2001)
3. “Physics of Desertification” (1986)
4. “Building Capacity in the Life Sciences in the Developing World” (2007)
5. “Novel Fire Retardant Backcoatings for Textiles” (2009)

Mohamed Hag Ali Hag el Hassan’s profound impact on the scientific community, coupled with his dedication to advancing knowledge and fostering international collaboration, solidifies his legacy as a visionary leader in the field of science and academia.