The origins of The Royal Fellowship Award of the Royal Fellowship Council were started in the 16 th century when the ‘invisible college’ of natural philosophers was initiated to recognize and appreciate the work of scientists. Among the early names included Sir Isaac Newton. But it was exclusively British until 1947 when various similar divisions emerged to allow international recognition. This extended to other disciplines other than sciences to ensure that all human creativity was recognized alongside innate talents.
The African Division was created in the year 2009 but remained dormant for 10 years until the year 2019 when it awarded the first lot of her Fellows as the quality control remained in UK. The Royal Fellowship is awarded to persons owning academic or honorary doctorate degrees, and having been assessed for professional endowment or innate talent. In addition, they must have demonstrated creativity in real world to either improve what is existing or create something new that speaks equally new value. As per the rules and mandates, Member Universities by conferment of the fellowship, may grant Associate Professor or Professor Emeritus Status to them and thus allow them to use the title professor.
This award further allows them to use the titles RFA and / or Hon RFA in their letterheads or related promotional materials to signify their status with the council. As New Fellows, they are required to sign the Obligations and Charter Book and read before the official panel or congregation, the statutes. Their portraits appear among other Fellows of the Council and their names in the Official Books and hallways of fame, and as aforementioned, allowed to append the initials and emblems of the council to their names and titles.