A Historic Moment in Algeria's Scientific and Technological Life

Noureddine Melikechi, an Algerian physicist working at NASA, is a member of the High Council of Scientists of the Algerian Community Abroad, which was created a week ago by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. The Council held its first meeting on Sunday, June 28. In this interview with TSA, Melikechi welcomes the creation of this structure and explains how scientists from the Algerian diaspora can effectively contribute to Algeria's development.

Melikechi describes this initiative as a key and historic moment in the scientific and technological life of the country. He states that he had long wished for such a framework, as had many others both within the diaspora and in Algeria. He emphasizes the need for a structured, credible, and sustainable framework to allow Algerian scientific talents established abroad to contribute more effectively to the country's development. The president's initiative represents official recognition of the role that the Algerian scientific community abroad can play.

Algeria possesses remarkable human capital worldwide, including researchers, engineers, doctors, academics, tech entrepreneurs, and high-level experts. Many have maintained strong ties with their homeland and wish to contribute. The success of the High Council will depend on its ability to become a genuine instrument for reflection, advice, proposal, and connection between Algeria and its scientific talents abroad. It must produce concrete, useful, and measurable actions rather than being merely symbolic.

Melikechi notes that the scientific diaspora can contribute in several fields: higher education, research, innovation, health, artificial intelligence, energy, water, environment, industry, biotechnology, and other strategic sectors. For this participation to be effective, the Council needs a clear mandate, precise objectives, access to decision-makers, and a monitoring mechanism. Scientists can formulate recommendations, propose projects, accompany reforms, facilitate international collaborations, and help foster a true "can-do attitude."

In the current global context, where science, technology, and innovation play a major role in sovereignty, competitiveness, and development, Melikechi believes one of the Council's most important contributions is to help amplify a new mindset based on confidence, rigor, action, innovation, and the conviction that Algeria can produce new knowledge, develop new technologies, and occupy a much larger place in the scientific and technological movements taking shape.