Algiers Establishes High Council for Scientific Diaspora
On September 27, 2026, Algeria initiated an unprecedented institutional step by establishing the High Council for the National Scientific Community Abroad. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune received members of this Council at El Mouradia Palace, marking a strategic shift to integrate the expertise of the Algerian scientific diaspora. The meeting, attended by top political, military, and executive leadership, underscored the national importance of this initiative, transforming the engagement of expatriate talents into an issue of national security and technological sovereignty.
The High Council, comprising 27 members and coordinated by Professor Elias A. Zerhouni, a globally recognized leader in radiology and medicine and former Director of the US National Institutes of Health, is designed to harness the intellectual contributions of Algerian minds abroad. Other distinguished members include Dr. Yasmine Belkaid, president of the Pasteur Institute in Paris, and Dr. Belkacem Haba, a global authority in microelectronics with over 1,700 international patents. President Tebboune emphasized that the country's development and future prospects necessitate the active participation of Algerian scientists worldwide, noting Algeria's youthful population with over 70% under 40 years of age.
Moving beyond traditional "brain gain" models, Algeria's new strategy adopts a "flexible presence," allowing scientists to contribute remotely without requiring a permanent return. Established by Presidential Decree No. 26-293, the Council operates as a supreme advisory body with financial independence, directly under the Presidency. Its core philosophy involves remote supervision of doctoral theses, strategic consultations, and joint research projects, alongside monitoring technological shifts and identifying future investment opportunities. The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research is operationalizing this vision through projects at the Sidi Abdellah hub, which includes specialized schools in artificial intelligence, mathematics, and cybersecurity. Current projects involve joint technological production, the establishment of advanced facilities like a robotics laboratory and a genomics research lab, and the development of an AI-driven financial project in partnership with the Algerian Federation of Insurance and Reinsurance Companies.
