Ameenah Gurib-Fakim

Ameenah Gurib-Fakim served as the first female President of Mauritius from 2015 to 2018. A renowned scientist and academic, she was Professor of Organic Chemistry and held leadership roles at the University of Mauritius, including Dean of the Faculty of Science and Pro Vice Chancellor. She also led research initiatives at the Centre International de Développement Pharmaceutique (CIDP) and the Mauritius Research Council. She earned a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Surrey and a PhD from the University of Exeter, UK. A global advocate for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, she co-authored the first African Herbal Pharmacopoeia and has published numerous books and scientific articles. Gurib-Fakim has received several international honors, including the L’Oréal-UNESCO Prize for Women in Science, France’s Legion d’Honneur, and recognition in Forbes’ lists of the world’s most powerful women and top women in Africa.