Our Structure

1. Working Groups and Standing Committees

1.1. Composition

AAASTE structure includes three Working Groups and two Standing Committees as listed below.

1. Science Working Group (SWG)
2. Technology Working Group (TWG)
3. Entrepreneurship & Business Working Group (EWG)
4. Scholarships and Awards Committee (SAC)
5. Students’ Initiatives Committee (SIC)
6. The Board may from time to time appoint other Working Groups and Standing Committees as well as Ad-Hoc Working Groups and Committees.

1.1.1. Working Groups

1.1.1.1. Science Working Group (SWG)

The Science Working Group (SWG) aim is to:

• Establish scientific collaborations between Algerian and US academic institutions
• Facilitate partnerships and networking between researchers in Algeria and the US
• Develop and provide courses, workshops, certification training, and webinars in science areas
• Provide mentorship for early careers scientists in Algeria
• Assist in enhancing curricula and teaching in the science areas
• Promote the professional development of Algerian faculty, staff and students
• Apply for grants to help fund scientific research and training in Algeria
  

1.1.1.2. Technology Working Group (TWG)

The Technology Working Group (TWG)’s mission is to foster technological innovation and excellence to benefit academia and industry in Algeria.

The objectives of the committee are to:

• Develop and provide technology-based courses, workshops, certification training, and webinars
• Establish collaborations between Algerian and US academic institutions
• Promote the professional development of Algerian faculty, graduate students, and industry professionals
• Assist in enhancing technology curricula and teaching methods
• Facilitate partnerships between academia and industry in Algeria
• Apply for grants to help achieve the objectives of the AAASTE
• Build networks/groups of professionals and industry experts and organize events to share ideas and discuss industry challenges
• Provide mentorship for career development
• Provide project management courses for faculty, students, and industry professionals

1.1.1.3. Entrepreneurship and Business Working Group (EWG)

The Entrepreneurship and Business Working Group (EWG) is made up of connectors and doers working together to build and support programs and activities that improve business education, boost entrepreneurship and help Algeria thrive economically by moving toward a knowledge-based economy.

The objectives of the committee are to:

• Contribute to building a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem with its many pillars
• Promote entrepreneurship education at the university level first and then to the entire education system
• Foster the culture of entrepreneurship throughout the country
• Promote a business climate favorable to the development of the private sector and economic growth

1.1.2. Standing Committees

1.1.2.1. Scholarships and Awards Committee (SAC)

The Scholarship and Awards Committee (SAC) is tasks to manage the following scholarships and awards:

• Outstanding Service Award
• Student of the Year Award
• Best Student Presentation of the Year
• Undergraduate Student Scholarships
• Undergraduate and graduate Application Support

These scholarships and awards are targeting faculty and students in Algeria and the United States.

1.1.2.2. Students Initiatives Committee (SIC)

The Students’ Initiatives Committee (SIC) brings together science, engineering, and entrepreneurship students from both Algerian and American universities as well as others from around the world to learn, cooperate, explore, and share ideas. Its goal is to empower the upcoming generation of students to acquire the needed abilities to pursue fulfilling academic and career paths while building their skills and sharing knowledge.

The objectives of the committee are to:

• Build a student community for which knowledge and expertise exchange is the core foundation.
• Showcase the different educational opportunities that Algerian students can pursue in the United States.
• Empower youth through capacity building activities

2. Structure

To ensure proper operations of the Working Groups (WG) and Standing Committees (SC), each Working Group and Standing Committee shall be directed by a Chair, assisted by a Vice-Chair, and a Secretary. Other positions can be added as deemed necessary and with the Executive Committee approval.

Each Working Groups (WG) and Standing Committees (SC) shall be composed of no more than nine (9) members in good standing including at least one student.

The responsibilities of each leadership team member are described below.

2.1. Chair

The Chair is part of the AAASTE Board and is nominated by the Working Group/Committee members and submitted to the Board for approval.

The duties of the Chair shall be to:

• Direct general management of the corresponding Working Group/Committee Leadership Team
• Oversee the Working Group/Committee’s programs and activities
• Manage the internal and external relationships
• Ensure the accomplishment of the committee’s objectives
• Initiate and/or direct the team’s activities
• Submit to the Board of Quarterly Updates and Annual Reports

2.2. Vice-Chair

The Vice-Chair is elected by the Working Group/Committee members

The duties of the Vice-Chair shall be to:

• Assist the Chair in managing the Committee’s operations
• Define and manage the strategic responsibilities and needs of the team
• Advise the Chair of the association rules and procedures (Bylaws and other official documents)
• Represent the Chair and act on his/her behalf as direct

2.3. Secretary

The Secretary is elected by the members of their respective Working Group/Committee.

The duties of the Secretary shall be to:

• Issue notice of all meetings, and ensure agendas are drawn up and distributed at least one week before the meeting.
• Keep accurate records of the proceedings of the committee meetings and distribute the meeting minutes to all members
• Ensure the proper retention of all committee documents in collaboration with the Board Secretary.
• Proofread committee related publications and approve them before being published
• Coordinate the preparation of the Quarterly Update and the Annual Report
• Some WG or SC might add position as deemed necessary. For example, the SIC will have a Professional Development and Capacity Building (PD/CB) Coordinator.

2.4. Professional Development and Capacity Building (PD/CB) Coordinator

The duties of the PD/CB Coordinator shall be to:

• Coordinate the professional development and capacity building activities
• Monitor and evaluate the implementation and impact of the projects
• The Working Groups/Standing Committee shall have the capacity to establish as many Task Forces as needed for the implementation of their projects. Priority should be given to AAASTE members, however volunteers can be recruited, if deemed necessary.

3. Operations

3.1. Term of office

The Chair, Co-Chair, and Secretary serve for up to two terms of two years each. The Chair is elected by the WG/SC members and approved by the Board in October of each mandate. The Co-Chair and Secretary are elected by the WG/SC members.

They all start their two-year term by January the 1st following their election.

During the handover period (October-December), the outgoing team shall work closely with the incoming team and ensure a smooth transition.

3.2. Decision making process and Accountability

All the members of the WG/SC shall have voting rights within their respective WG/SC.

All programs to be implemented by the Working Groups and Committees shall be implemented in collaboration with the Vice President Programs.

The Board shall be briefed at each meeting of the progress of current and future activities plans of each Working Group/Standing Committee.

3.3. Obligations

WG and SC Chairs, Vice-Chairs, and Secretary shall be Association members in good standing during the whole period of holding the office.

3.4. Nomination

Nominations for the positions of Chairs, Vice-Chairs, and Secretary shall be accepted upon submission of the nomination form, completed by the nominees themselves and submitted to the Ad-Hoc Nominating Committee. The Ad-Hoc Nominating Committee shall accept nominations no later than the time and date stated in the open call.

The current WG/SC Chair shall be responsible for preparing the elections of the incoming team.

In the event any of the positions remain open after the elections first-round, the Board Committee shall have the power to fill the vacancy or ask for the reopening of the call for a second round.

3.5. Dismissal, resignation, and vacancy

In the event of a member of the WG/SC leadership team, including the Chair, failing in the performance of his/her duties, the Board shall have the power to relieve him/her of their duties. The dismissal shall be by a simple majority vote of the Board members.

Any member of the Leadership Team seeking resignation from their position shall notify the respective Chair of the WG/SC at least two weeks before their resignation so that the vacancy can be filled with minimum disruption to the WG/SC. In the case of the Chair resignation he/she should notify the Association Secretary and the Board President.

In the case of any vacancy occurring between elections, the Board shall have the power to fill the vacancy by appointing a member to hold the vacant position temporarily until elections are held.

3.6. Meetings and Reporting

3.6.1. Reporting

In addition, the regular reporting to the board discussed above, each WG/SC shall report on its progress on a yearly basis to the General Assembly.

3.6.2. Meetings

The committee members shall meet no less than once a month to vacate issues before them. The committee can hold additional meetings at the request of the Chair or a simple majority of its members.

The Committee meetings shall be governed by Robert’s Rules for Parliamentary Procedures.