WAITRO’s Leadership

Steering WAITRO’s Mission

The WAITRO Executive Board oversees the review, endorsement, and maintenance of regulations that guide the organization’s operations. It is composed of the President, two Vice Presidents, and five Regional Representatives representing Asia and the Pacific, the Middle East and North Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Europe. Board members are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms, serve on a voluntary basis, and convene twice a year to review finances, approve programs, and shape the strategic direction of the organization.

WAITRO Executive Board 2025/2026

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    Hasan Mandal

    President

    Rector of Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Türkiye

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    Hans-Erich Schulz 

    First Vice-President

    CEO of CARIRI, Trinidad & Tobago

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    Dirk Saseta Krieg 

    Second Vice President

    Director of Business and Operations at Leitat, Spain

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    Abeer Arafat

    Regional Representative for Middle East & North Africa

    Senior Assistant to the President for Science Technology & Innovation Liaison

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    Paul Pinnock Bosu

    Regional Representative for Sub-Saharan Africa

    Director General of CSIR, Ghana

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    Nik Sazali bin Nik Hussin

    Regional Representative for Asia & the Pacific

    Acting President and Group CEO of SIRIM Berhad, Malaysia

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    David Tveit

    Regional Representative for Europe

    Executive Vice President at the Danish Technological Institute, Denmark

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    Christian Larsen

    Regional Representative for Latin America & the Caribbean

    Head of Corporate Strategy at Fraunhofer Chile Research, Chile

Governance

Organizational Structure of WAITRO

WAITRO’s governance structure is designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and strategic direction. It consists of the General Assembly, Executive Board, Secretariat, WAITRO Operations e.V. and RFPs, each playing a vital role in advancing WAITRO’s mission.

General Assembly

The General Assembly is WAITRO’s highest decision-making body, convening every two years during the WAITRO Summits.  

Executive Board

Elected biennially, the Executive Board provides strategic oversight, monitors initiatives, ensures financial responsibility, and endorses key programs. 

Secretariat

Hosted by a WAITRO member, the Secretariat manages WAITRO’s daily operations, organizes events and facilitates global partnerships.

WAITRO
Operations e.V.

Established in Germany 2024, WAITRO Operations e.V. acts as a legal entity managing daily and financial operations, including facilitating matchmaking services and capacity development activities.

Regional Focal Points

Hosted by WAITRO members, RFPs represent the association in their respective regions – strengthening regional collaboration, advocating WAITRO’s mission, and supporting local initiatives and communication.