To raise new scientific questions, investigate new possibilities and consider old scientific challenges from a new angle requires creative imagination and marks real advance in science.

Dr Hassina Mouri, a senior lecturer and researcher at the University of Johannesburg (UJ)’s Department of Geology, is a typical example of someone who pushes the boundaries of discovery and progress in science.  Dr Hassina Mouri has been honoured by the Commission of the African Union (AUC) with the African Union Scientific Awards Regional Programme for Women 2010. This prestigious award is bestowed on African researchers for their achievements in Earth and Life Sciences, Science, Technology and Innovation sectors within developing countries. The award ceremony is taking place on 9 September 2010, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The award reflects Dr Mouri’s creative contributions towards the development and continuous expansion of research in geological science, where such contributions have attributed significantly in the advancement of science, also to the benefit of the country.

Dr Mouri has an internationally recognised educational background. She studied and worked in different institutions on three continents (Africa, Europe and America). She graduated in 1990 from the University of Algiers (Cum Laude).  Being named outstanding student of the year, she was awarded a fellowship to continue her studies in France where she obtained her Master’s degree in June1991, following with a PhD degree (Cum Laude) in January 1995.  Soon after that she was recruited as a research associate by the University of Helsinki and the Geological Survey of Finland (1995-1999). After spending another year as a research associate at the University of Minnesota, she joined the University of Pretoria in October 2000 the first and the only female academic staff member of the department. In August 2008 she joined the Department of Geology, UJ. 

Over the last 15 years, Dr. Mouri has gained extensive experience in research in various geological environments (Archaean Hoggar Shield in Algeria, Svecofennian Belt in Finland, Eastern Ghat Belt in India, British Columbia in Canada, the Limpopo and Namaqualand metamorphic Belts in South Africa) and Earth Science Education in numerous countries (Algeria, France, Finland, USA, South Africa).

Dr Mouri’s work was presented at several international conferences and is published in various international journals. Dr Mouri has been invited to co-organise and chair scientific sessions at a number of International Conferences.

In November 2008, she was elected Secretary General of the Geological Society of Africa.  She is currently leading the organisation of the International event on African geology (23^rd Colloquium of African Geology) to be held for the first time in South Africa (University of Johannesburg) in January 2011. She is the first African female geologist to achieve these distinctions.