Brief History of the Edward Bouchet Abdus Salam Institute (EBASI)

In 1988, the Edward Bouchet Abdus Salam Institute (EBASI) [then known as the Edward A. Bouchet-ICTP Institute (EABI)] was created by Professor Abdus Salam, the late Nobel Laureate and Founding Director of the International Center for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) [now known as the Abdus Salam International Center for Theoretical Physics (Abdus Salam ICTP)] and the late Distinguished Professor of Science and Engineering and Professor of Physics and First Chair of EBASI, Dr. Joseph Andrew Johnson III. The objectives of EBASI include: [1] Providing a mechanism for synergistic scientific and technical collaborations between African and American physical scientists, engineers, and technologists; [2] Enhancing the impact of science and technology on the sustainable development of the countries on the African continent, and more specifically; [3] Increasing the technical manpower pool working in Africa today by facilitating the training of Ph.D. students from African universities; [4] Creating close contacts on a World Wide basis with universities, governmental and private sector institutions and organizations, and foundations which facilitate and advance EBASI objectives; and [5] Initiating any other activities that advance EBASI objectives.

EBASI was named in honor of Edward A. Bouchet [who became in 1876 (Yale) the first African American and the first known person of African descent to earn the Ph.D. degree in Physics] and Professor Abdus Salam [the late Nobel Laureate and Founding Director of the International Center for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) (now known as the Abdus Salam International Center for Theoretical Physics)]. A joint proposal by Professor Joseph A. Johnson III and Dr. Jean-Pierre Ezin establishing EBASI/ICTP, its Founding Council Members, and its Executive Committee was approved and finalized on 30 September 1988 in Trieste, Italy by Professor Salam who was also President of TWAS (THE WORLD ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, based in Trieste on the ICTP campus). The Council is composed of African members, American members, the Administrative Officer, and one ICTP Representative. It was in 1998 that the name of the Institute was changed from its original name of EABI (Edward A. Bouchet Institute) to its current name in order to honor Professor Abdus Salam.

Stamps Issued by the Government of Benin in honor of the 4th Edward Bouchet International Conference and the Late Prof. Abdus Salam