The World Academy of Science (TWAS) for the advancement of science in developing countries is an autonomous international organization founded in 1983 in Trieste, Italy, by a distinguished group of scientists from developing world. It was officially launched as the "Third World Academy of Sciences" by the Secretary General of the United Nations in 1985.
The TWAS’s mission is to promote scientific capacity and excellence for sustainable development in the South.The Academy's membership consists of Fellows who have made significant contributions to the advancement of science in the South.
In 2003, TWAS established 5 Regional Offices to enable to organise various programmes for the promotion of science in the developing worlds. These offices cover : (a) Latin American and Carribean region (b) East and South East Asia and Pacific region (c) CENTRAL & SOUTH ASIA REGION (d)Arab region and (e) Sub Saharan African region. Recognizing the importance of strengthening cooperation and reinforcing the impact of TWAS's activities in Central and South Asia, it was agreed that JNCASR shall host the TWAS-ROCASA Office at its Jakkur Campus, in Bangalore, by providing administrative and secretarial assistance and office space.
The TWAS, Trieste, has changed the nomenclature of all its Regional Offices. Accordingly, the new nomenclature of The Regional Office for Central & South Asia (TWAS-ROCASA) stands as TWAS CENTRAL & SOUTH ASIA REGIONAL PARTNER (TWAS-CASAREP). The TWAS-CASAREP is headed by Prof V. Krishnan (former President, JNCASR), as its Co-ordinator. The TWAS Central and South Asia regional Partner covers following 15 countries: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, TaJikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and has around 300 fellows of TWAS.
The TWAS-CASAREP Office shall enhance the visibility of TWAS among young and promising scientists, by carrying out activities such as : Selection of TWAS Young Affiliates for a fixed term ; Selection of candidate for TWAS Regional Partner Award in the chosen subject area; Organization of periodic meetings with TWAS members in the Region ; Organization of Young Scientists Conference/Seminars ; Support to Young Scientists in the Region for participating in Conference /Seminars; Dissemination of information.
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