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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

State of our campuses: UFS closes campuses until Friday 28 October 2016 to readjust academic programme

2016-10-13

The senior leadership of the University of the Free State (UFS) has carefully analysed all the risks facing the university in the current national crisis in higher education, which includes the possibility of losing the academic year. The university management has been engaged in back-to-back meetings with the student leadership, South African Police Service (SAPS), and other stakeholders over the past two days in an attempt to ensure the safety of all parties, and normalise the academic functioning of the UFS. Unfortunately, we have been unable to arrive at an agreement about the resumption of the academic year regardless of the timing of the government response to students’ demands. This is further complicated by the fact that the university has received notice of intention of an interdict to reopen with immediate effect.

Taking all of this into account, the senior leadership of the UFS has decided as follows:

The UFS will not be shutting down for the remainder of 2016. The Bloemfontein and South Campuses will, however, be shutting down from Thursday 13 October 2016 until Friday 28 October 2016. These two weeks will be used for crucial and complex arrangements to be put in place to readjust the academic calendar and ensure that all students can complete their studies.
The academic arrangements are focused on organising alternative modes of delivery of our programmes to support student learning. Academics will be working on readjusting their course materials for this purpose.
The Bloemfontein Campus and the South Campuses will be closed for undergraduate and honours students. Administrative and academic staff will be working, as well as master's and doctoral students.
Students in residence will have to vacate their rooms by 12:00 on Saturday 15 October 2016. Students who need help in this regard must please contact +27 51 401 2001 or send an email to hotline@ufs.ac.za.
Arrangements will be made to accommodate international, master's, and doctoral students.
The specific information about academic programmes will be communicated to students by their respective faculties as it becomes available.

The senior leadership wants to restate its commitment to free education as well as its willingness to stand together with students and other public universities to impress on government the urgency to decide on a time frame for the roll-out of free higher education for the poor and missing middle. During these two weeks the UFS will meet with the leadership of Universities South Africa to coordinate collective action in this regard.

Consistent with this commitment the UFS leadership will roll out a series of activities to inform and educate students and the general public on different models and experiences of providing free higher education.

The UFS is deeply concerned about the possible securitisation of our campus as a way of solving this crisis.

The UFS condemns in the strongest terms violence as a methodology to achieve ends in the context of a democratic state.We are, as always, committed to providing quality education and a conducive environment for learning.

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