AIMS NEI Newsletter OCTOBER 2013 2013-10-04 1:32 PM Page 1

African Institute for October 2013 AIMS Mathematical Sciences NEI NEXT EINSTEIN INITIATIVE AIMS Network News NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Reaffirming the belief in “The partnership is just beginning, and we Government and the international community to hope to have you on our side to work for this advocate and commit continent, this is a common cause, a pan- resources for scientific training as the foundation African cause; that we need to fight for, and for innovation and the prospects are great.” “homegrown” solutions to Africa’s development t has been quite an exciting three months since my last note to you. challenges; to promote the Subsequently, there have been many new developments for the AIMS inclusion of Science, Network, staff, alumni and students. Shortly after our last newsletter, we Technology, Engineering and I AIMS-'s new facility. hosted the first AIMS Global Alumni Reunion, which also marked the 10-year Maths (STEM) training in the anniversary of AIMS. We were deeply honoured to have many notable guests and RIO+20 Sustainable speakers at the event including Her Excellency Naledi Pandor, South African Development Goals; and to Minister of Home Affairs – an exceptional female public figure and longtime help AIMS create a high-level global forum showcasing Africa’s scientific and supporter of AIMS. technical talent – the Next Einstein Forum (NEF). The first NEF will be held in 2015 In the words of Minister Pandor, “We are a part of the world where many under the theme “Connecting Science to Humanity.” pioneers come to begin things, but it is rare that institutions survive. We struggle, The new academic year has begun, and I am happy to announce that this year as , to overcome the legacy of poor or limited Science and Maths AIMS will be welcoming over 170 students, with 30% of them women, to our four teaching in our country, and AIMS has forged ahead and made us all proud.” At no Centres. These new students from across the continent will be equipped with the time have I been more proud of AIMS than I was on that particular day. knowledge, skills, interest and motivation to transform the landscape of Africa as We are thrilled to announce the addition of our newest centre, we know it. And AIMS keeps growing! On September 20th, 2013 we met with AIMS-Cameroon, which will open on October 7th, 2013. We are deeply indebted to President Jakaya Kikwete of , who assured us that the Government of the Government of Cameroon for their incredible support of AIMS and their Tanzania would contribute resources and facilitate the process of developing an commitment to African development through Mathematical Sciences. AIMS Centre of Excellence in their country. President Kikwete stated, “That is a very AIMS-Cameroon will launch with 36 students (12 women), from 15 countries, important issue for us… I assure you that our Government will give you sufficient including 12 Cameroonians. A delegation from the Government of Cameroon [resources] to establish the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences in Tanzania.” visited the AIMS Secretariat and AIMS-South Africa in September, further None of the above would be possible without your support – and for this, I solidifying this unique partnership that began in July with the signing of a share my deepest gratitude. Memorandum of Understanding for long-term cooperation. Of the delegation, Professor Marcel Fouda, Senior Adviser of the Ministry of Higher Education, Sincerely, Inspector General of Higher Education stated, “We are going back to Cameroon Thierry Zomahoun with a new message and more arguments to tell our Government why they should support AIMS-Cameroon.” Another major development in the AIMS Network is the Call to Action that was made during the Global Alumni Reunion. This Call to Action asked officials in

IN THIS ISSUE... AIMS-NEI VISION:Leading the transformation of Africa through innovative scientific training, technical advances and breakthrough discoveries which benefit the whole of society.

1 Note from the • The Next Einstein Forum to highlight 5 Research • Unleashing Africa’s Beautiful Minds Executive Director Africa as the next hub for Global Science • AIMS Astronomy Workshop: The Super • Cameroon: Maths Institute to go • Industry Initiative internships launched operational In Cameroon 2 Network News JEDI 2013 • African Women in Mathematical Sciences • Dr. Prince Osei at the Loops 13 Research • AIMS-Tanzania in the media • Cameroon Officials visit AIMS-NEI • AIMS Network Leadership Meeting Conference • Searching For Einsteins: Africa At Cutting • Commencement of 2013-2014 academic • Meeting with Mathematics Association of Edge Of Scientific, Tech Advancement year at AIMS Centres 5 Alumni Tanzania delegates • President Kikwete says YES! • Martial Loth Ndeffo Mbah 8 Photo Briefs • AIMS-NEI registered in Germany • Eleni Kinfe Degaga 6 AIMS in the Media www.nexteinstein.org EXCELLENCE • RESPECT • PAN-AFRICANISM • INTEGRITY AIMS NEI Newsletter OCTOBER 2013 2013-10-04 1:32 PM Page 2

NETWORK NEWS Cameroon Officials President Kikwete visit AIMS-NEI says YES! President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania said his Government would take immediate measures to ensure timely establishment of AIMS in Tanzania.

n September 20th, 2013, President Kikwete met with AIMS Founder Professor Neil Turok, Thierry Zomahoun and AIMS-Tanzania Chief OOperating Officer Samuel Awuku, at the University of Guelph in Toronto, Canada. The President, accompanied by Dr. Shukuru Kawambwa (Minister of Education and Vocational Training) and Bernard Membe (Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation), was in Guelph to receive an Honorary Thierry with the Cameroonian officials. Doctorate Degree by the University. Professor Turok reiterated the enormous contribution that the establishment of The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences-Next Einstein AIMS in Tanzania would make to the development of the mathematics, science and Initiative (AIMS-NEI) was honoured to host representatives from technology agenda of the country. Professor Turok then requested that President the Government of Cameroon in Cape Town, South Africa, from Kikwete commit resources to help establish the new AIMS Centre. The President graciously accepted this commitment and assured AIMS-NEI that his Government September 12th – 13th, 2013. would facilitate the process to establish AIMS in Tanzania as well as contribute resources to support the initiative. he representatives, Professor Marcel Fouda (Senior Adviser of the The President introduced Samuel Awuku and Thierry Zomahoun to the Ministry of Higher Education, Inspector General of Higher Education), Honourable Minister for Education and Vocational Training, Dr. Shukuru Kawambwa, Professor Nicolas Andjiga (Director of Ecole Normale Supérieure, Yaoundé T and challenged him: “You have to deliver”. In further discussion, Samuel Awuku Cameroon) and Professor (Mrs) Vincelline Akomndja-Avom (Director of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Higher Education), were able to visit both the AIMS Secretariat and AIMS-South Africa. This visit coincided with the AIMS Network’s Leadership Meeting for senior leaders from the Secretariat and the four AIMS Centres. The dignitaries were able to interact with AIMS leaders and discuss specific topics, including the AIMS model, AIMS governance, and the accreditation of the AIMS degree. The visit of the delegation was a follow-up to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in July 2013 between the Government of Cameroon and AIMS-NEI. Professor Fouda noted, “We know what AIMS is on paper; we signed the MoU by faith and today we have come to understand why the AIMS model is unique and so successful.” The Cameroon delegation had the opportunity to visit AIMS-South Africa where they met with s