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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

What did they learn at Stanford University?

2015-11-04

Members of the cohort with the
Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS,
Prof Jonathan Jansen

Every year, since 2012, six second-year Kovsies are selected to take part in the elite Stanford Sophomore College Programme at the prestigious Stanford University in the United States. The University of the Free State and Oxford University are the only non-Stanford members of this exclusive course.

From 31 August to 15 September 2015, Farzaana Adam, Cornel Vermaak, Precious Mokwala, Tristan Van Der Spuy, Anje Venter, and Naushad Mayat undertook a three-week long academic exploration of multidisciplinary topics. These students attended seminars aligned with their respective fields of study from which they accumulated a wealth of knowledge.

This year’s cohort reflects on what they learned at Stanford University:

The significance of analyzing technology

One of the key points gathered by Farzaana Adam from the seminar, ‘Great Ideas in Computer Science’, was the necessity not to approach technology at face value. “Computer science goes beyond the technological products and social networks. By analysing the concepts underlying these technologies, many discoveries which have benefitted many fields of study have been made possible.”

Critical thinking in Arts and Science

“By combining different fields of study, one can obtain a greater perspective on the relevant fields,” said Cornel Vermaak, about what he garnered from a seminar titled ‘An Exploration of Art Materials: An intersection between the Arts and Science’. “This greater perspective enables one to evaluate problems critically,” he added.

Visual media substitutes oral narratives

“We were also taught different ways in which to interpret images, and how images influence society. Photography is a way to tell a story without actually having to say anything,” reflected Precious Mokwala, on ‘Photography: truth or fiction’

A lesson in business economics

Tristan Van Der Spuy received pointers pertaining to the stock exchange market in ‘A Random Walk Down Wall Street’. “We looked at stock markets, and what influenced the stock prices of multiple companies, taking note of what should be looked at when investing in a company.”

Race relations and representation

‘The New Millenium Mix: Crossings between Race and Culture’ exposed Anje Venter to a global perspective on identity. “We explored the new generation of people that have mixed races and cultures, and how they are depicted in media and art. We analysed the discrepancies and stereotypes of these depictions through film, novel, and short story studies, as well as through field trips to museums and art exhibitions.”

Overcoming the HIV/AIDS endemic

Naushad Mayat realised that “more teamwork and transparency between governments, chemists, social workers, and clinicians will be required for us to stem the flow [of HIV/AIDS],” in view of what he learned in a seminar on ‘HIV/AIDS: A Response to the AIDS Epidemic in the Bay Area’. “It is a daunting task. For the current generation of youth to tackle this epidemic now, we must stand together and be counted,” he added.

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