Prof. AFFIAN K., completed his graduation (Doctorat 3° Cycle) in Marine geology, at Bordeaux 1 University (France). Later he majored (PhD) in Remote sensing applied to oceanography at Cocody University (Cote d’Ivoire) and Nantes University (France). He started his academic career as an associate researcher in the Department of Marine geology, at the National Center of Oceanology of Abidjan in the year 1988.
After one year he moved to National University of Cote d’Ivoire as associate professor. He grew professionally in a span of 32 years, which is evident from the various designations administered by him. As a full Professor and Director of the Remote Sensing Center for applied research at University of Cocody, from 1999-2010, Director of post graduated African school of Remote sensing, from 1999-2010.
He got elevated as Dean of the school of Earth Sciences at University of Cocoy, 2010-2012.
His dedication and commitment earned him the status of Vice-president of the 62-year old pioneer University in Côte d’Ivoire since December 2012 up today. He is in charge of Education, training, extension and student affairs. He also took care of the research for 4 years before a vice president in charge of this question is appointed.
All through his career, he has been distinguished by his unique working style and has been a key person who has contributed to the development of various new initiatives of the University. He was the key person who established and organized the e-learning during the covid period.
He has been a reliable choice of the Management to represent the University in several international forums convened across the globe (North America, Europe, Asia, Africa) that gave wider visibility of the University to students, researchers and all stakeholders
At UNESCO level, for consecutive years from 2005 up today, he regularly participates in UNESCO Assemblies as representative of Science and Technology of his country (Côte d’Ivoire).
For IOC-UNESCO, Some of the key roles he is administering include : (i) founding member of GOOS AFRICA; (ii) Vice-chair of I-GOOS Board in charge of capacity building in Africa for 7 years (2005-2011) ; (iii) member of GOOS steering committee (2015-2019) (iv) Chair of GOOS-AFRICA since 2019 ; (v) Chair of IOC AFRICA since 2021 ;; (vi) national coordination of UN decade of Marine sciences for sustainable development.
He has served on numerous national bodies and committees, including as: (i) Coordinator of the inter ministerial scientific Board for coastal erosion; (ii) Chair of the scientific committee of Abidjan convention established for Cooperation in the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Atlantic Coast of the West, Central and Southern Africa Region; (iii) adviser of the Minister in charge of Environment of Côte d’Ivoire (2012-2014).
He was awarded as the best research project submitted in 2002. Several times he was Principal investigator of research project.
He has more than 80 publications to his credit that include Journal articles, Conference articles, book chapters, and conference proceedings. An inspiring academician and mentor of Research he is guiding 06 Scholars currently and produced 11 Doctorates. Many of his publications are indexed in Scopus. His research Contribution Includes, the development of integrated coastal zone management, coastal erosion, sea surface temperature, sea color, bathymetry and environment studies based on remote sensing and GIS.
His commitment towards the promotion science and particularly, remote sensing and GIS leads him to create a scientific journal named “RESIGEO”