About AIMSThe African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) is a Pan-African Network Centre of Excellence for postgraduate training, research, and public engagement in mathematical sciences. Founded in 2003 in South Africa and later replicated in Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon, and Rwanda under the framework of the Next Einstein Initiative, AIMS is supplying the STEM pipeline by training African students for a Master's in Mathematical Sciences, including a co-op option with a direct link to industry. Students admitted at AIMS benefit from full scholarships and close interaction with tutors and professors worldwide. AIMS has trained 2500 young scientists over the past two decades. The faculty comprises volunteer professors from the best universities globally, including Nobel Prize and Fields Medal laureates. With expertly tailored academic and non-academic programs spanning Centres of Excellence, Research Centres, the AIMS Industry Initiative, and gender-responsive Teacher Training.
Abstract"If you are planning for a year, sow rice; planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people." - Chinese proverb.
Africa, its people, and its leaders continually battle the double challenge of achieving SDG targets and adapting to climate change. More than 30% of primary-school-age girls remain out of school in Sub-Sahara Africa. Also, Africa's contribution to global scientific knowledge stands at 1.1%. Consequently, Africa's ratio of scientists and inhabitants currently stands at 79 scientists per million inhabitants, the lowest. Also, scientists trained in Africa often work elsewhere due to the lack of infrastructure and availability of resources. To meet the demands of a teaming young population at the centre of the world's pressing challenges, including the food crisis, flooding, and economic downturn – there is a need for deliberate action through multilateralism and global effort to restore hope and enable growth. Thus, AIMS seeks to leverage the US-Africa Leader's Summit to push for a resolution and legislation to back its #InclusiveAccess agenda in Climate Change, Health, and Economic Progress.
This session will also feature AIMS Alumni leading African Scientific Excellence in Academia, Industry, and Non-profit work.
Expected outcomesThe expected outcomes of this session include the following;
- An appreciation of the growth opportunities in enabling scientific excellence and training in Africa.
- AIMS Impact in the mitigating the impact of COVID-19, Climate Crisis and Improving Health Outcomes.
- Awareness of the value proposition of AIMS and how our alums are changing the way we see our world.
- Amplify the need for innovative financing in funding education across Africa.
Agenda11:00 am - Welcome Address & Premiering of Wajenzi (Science in Africa Movie)
11: 35 am - Reflection on Science in Africa Movie
11: 40 am - Africa at the forefront of Championing Scientific Excellence - Case of the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences
12:00 pm - Roundtable discussion with alumni & participants
12:30 pm - End
Open Zoom