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Prof Abdon Atangana receives one of Cameroon’s highest national honours

09 October 2025 | Story Martinette Brits | Photo Supplied

Prof Abon Atangana — Prof Abdon Atangana, leading applied mathematics scholar at the University of the Free State, who has been awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre de la Valeur by the President of Cameroon in recognition of his outstanding contributions to science and international academic engagement.

In recognition of his exceptional contributions to science and for promoting a positive image of Cameroon internationally, Prof Abdon Atangana, a leading professor of applied mathematics at the University of the Free State (UFS), has been awarded one of the country’s highest national honours by His Excellency President Paul Biya.

Prof Atangana, who is based in the UFS Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, was formally informed by the Cameroon High Commission in Pretoria that the President had decided to confer upon him the title Chevalier de l’Ordre de la Valeur (Knight of the Order of Valour).

“I am deeply honoured by this recognition and grateful to the High Commission for conveying the news,” said Prof Atangana.

The Ordre de la Valeur is one of Cameroon’s principal national distinctions, awarded to individuals who have rendered distinguished service or made significant contributions in fields such as science, public service, the arts, or international representation.

“The title Chevalier denotes formal national recognition by the President,” Prof Atangana explained. “It affirms the value of my work and encourages continued research, mentorship, and international collaboration.”

A career of global impact and recognition

Prof Atangana’s career is marked by both academic excellence and international engagement. He has consistently ranked among the top 1-2% of applied mathematicians worldwide, according to Stanford University’s global list. His achievements include being the first African mathematician under 40 to become a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences Affiliates, receiving the UNESCO–TWAS Mohammad A. Hamdan Prize, the AL Fozan UNESCO Award for STEM, and the African Genius Award.

He also serves as Chair of the African Mathematical Union Commission on Research and Innovation and is the first President of the African Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (ASIAM).

In a historic milestone for African mathematics, Prof Atangana represented Africa for the first time at the Board Meeting of the International Council for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (ICIAM) in Vietnam in 2025. This prestigious gathering brings together presidents of national and international applied mathematics societies, including the President of the International Mathematical Union, and marks a significant recognition of his leadership on the global stage.

“Being named Chevalier de l’Ordre de la Valeur recognises years of sustained work and the support of many colleagues and students,” he said. “Professionally, it is an important encouragement to continue my research, mentoring, and international engagement.”

Beyond awards, Prof Atangana has actively promoted Cameroon’s profile in the international scientific community. He has built high-impact research collaborations, supervised and mentored students from Cameroon and across Africa, presented at international conferences, and published research connecting African science with global knowledge networks.

Advancing science through the UFS and international collaboration

Much of the work recognised by this honour has been conducted at the University of the Free State.

“The recognition reflects the outcomes of work done at the UFS and signals the university’s contribution to advancing regional research capacity and international partnership,” Prof Atangana said.

His academic engagement in South Africa has enabled him to act as a bridge between institutions, fostering joint research, student exchanges, and collaboration across continents. These activities demonstrate the power of academic engagement in promoting scientific excellence and strengthening international networks.

Looking ahead, Prof Atangana plans to leverage this recognition to expand collaborative research projects, create more opportunities for student exchanges and mentorship, and advance interdisciplinary initiatives addressing regional and global challenges.

“I will continue to promote the value of academic engagement in service of shared scientific and societal goals,” he said. “This recognition will inspire me to strengthen collaborative networks, pursue joint research initiatives, and mentor the next generation of researchers.”

Details of the official medal award ceremony will be shared by the Cameroon High Commission in due course.

News Archive

A position statement by the School of Medicine, UFS, regarding the crisis in health care in the Free State

2009-05-27

The executive management of the School of Medicine (SOM) at the University of the Free State (UFS) and its senior members wish to express their grave concern at the way the financial crisis in the Free State has negatively impacted on the provision of health care to the population. The unavailability of goods and services at every level of care has become so severely compromised that the staff of the SOM can no longer remain silent on this issue. By remaining silent it may be construed that we are either indifferent to, or even accepting the situation. Neither is true. The SOM can in no way condone, sanction or accept the current situation of health care in the Free State.

Other concerns expressed by the SOM include:

Medical services have been severely compromised due to the disintegrating primary health care system in the FS. This has resulted in patients who were in need of more advanced levels of medical care not being referred appropriately or timeously to level two hospitals and from there for tertiary care. Inpatient as well as outpatient numbers are steadily declining and the tendency now is to fill fewer beds with critically ill or terminally ill patients. It is also becoming increasingly difficult to find suitable patients for training and examination purposes.
It becomes more difficult to attract and retain experienced and suitably qualified medical specialists interested in an academic career, due to the inability to provide prospective career opportunities. This is particularly the case in the surgical disciplines.
It is also becoming more difficult to attract and appoint highly qualified registrars (future specialists) since the reputation of this SOM has been compromised by the negative publicity created by the financial difficulties of the FSDoH. Registrars form the backbone of the clinical work force in all teaching hospitals. If vacant posts cannot be filled in time service provision, as well as undergraduate teaching are severely jeopardised.
As a direct consequence of the rationing of health care, fewer surgical procedures are being performed. The point may soon be reached where registrars in the surgical disciplines may not get sufficient hands-on experience to allow them to qualify within the required time frame.
Non-payment of accounts to service providers and suppliers including the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS), maintenance contracts and industry will severely compromises health care and future loyalty, goodwill and provision of critical services.
The dwindling number of qualified and experienced nurses in the public (and private) health care sector is an ongoing unresolved issue. Despite the fact that primary health care is mainly nurse-driven, nursing colleges were closed during the previous decade. These colleges must now be re-commissioned at high cost adding to the financial burden.
The morale of health care workers at all levels of health care has reached an all-time low
It is becoming increasingly difficult to conduct meaningful research in all disciplines due to staff shortages and lack of funding.

See attachment for the full statement on by the School of Medicine, regarding the crisis in health care in the Free State.

Download (Word format)

Media Release
Issued by: Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: radebemt.stg@ufs.ac.za
26 May 2009

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