AIMS-NEI Sept 2014 news ENG 2014-09-11 2:27 PM Page 1 September 2014 Network News Note from the President & CEO Celebrating a growing network for maths and science in Africa It’s always a pleasure to share news on the diverse and distinctive projects undertaken by the AIMS Global Network to advance development efforts. n pursuit of our goal to open 15 Centres of Excellence in Africa studying overseas to return to the continent to continue their by 2023, the AIMS Next Einstein Initiative recently signed a academic career and contribute to Africa’s growth through research IMemorandum of Understanding with the government of and teaching. Tanzania to open its fifth Centre. The new AIMS centre is scheduled The 2013/2014 academic year came to a successful close in July. to open in October 2014 in the city of Arusha in the country’s On behalf of the entire AIMS family, I would like to congratulate the northern region, a temporary location while AIMS’ permanent 171 students who successfully completed their year and earned a facility in Bagamoyo is being prepared. This expansion marks a Master’s in Mathematical Sciences. A series of graduation period of exceptional economic growth in Tanzania, which has truly ceremonies took place across AIMS’ centres to celebrate their emerged as an economic leader in East Africa. As of 2012, its Gross achievements and to wish the new graduates the best of success in National Product (GNP) totalled US $72.39 billion, ranking the their future careers. I know we are not saying goodbye as we expect Tanzanian economy second only to that of Kenya (US $74.68 billion). to stay in touch with all of our Alumni. AIMS continues its concerted efforts to promote its model and demonstrate the crucial role that Mathematical Sciences should play in the transformation of Africa. At Centre level, a number of On behalf of the entire AIMS family, technical workshops designed to address local development “ I would like to congratulate the 171 challenges were organised over the last semester, in collaboration students who successfully completed with partner academic institutions. At institutional level, their year and earned a Master’s in participation in regional and international conferences is enabling the AIMS Global Network to progressively position itself as a major Mathematical Sciences. scientific player, reinforcing its contributions and attracting new partners from a variety of sectors. I cannot conclude without mentioning the current health crisis This international recognition will be enhanced at the Next in West Africa, which remains of growing concern for the AIMS Einstein Forum, a new initiative launched by AIMS in partnership Global Network. As a pan-African organisation, we are supporting with the Robert Bosch Stiftung. The Next Einstein Forum (NEF) will the international community’s efforts to stop the spread of the Ebola be a global forum for science that will bring together virus and ensure that all members of our staff and students are 500+ outstanding thinkers and leading stakeholders from around the educated about the epidemic. We have established a surveillance world in Africa. The NEF will highlight breakthrough discoveries, team dedicated to coordinating and sharing essential information showcase Africa’s top young scientists, and catalyze scientific and procedures to prevent the transmission of the virus. We are collaboration for human development. As we prepare to host the working hard to safely bring all of our new students, including those NEF in October 2015 in Senegal, I encourage our partners, colleagues from countries affected by the virus, to our centres for the coming and friends across the scientific community to spread the news about academic year, which is starting now. the NEF, and to let us know if you would like to participate in this With that, I send a warm welcome to our 2014/2015 cohort of exciting event that will help to transform Africa into a leading 190 students, including 59 women, from 31 countries to our Centres member of the global scientific community. in South Africa, Sénégal, Ghana and Cameroon, and a special With the launch of the AIMS ARETÉ Junior Chairs welcome to the additional 40 students who are preparing for their programme, established through a grant from the Robert Bosch travel to Tanzania in October. I truly hope you will all enjoy your Stiftung, Dr. Antoine Tambue, a brilliant African scientist and an journey at AIMS. AIMS Alumni, has returned to Africa to become the programme’s Chair of Junior Research. The Junior Chairs programme was Sincerely, designed to encourage African scientists currently working or Thierry Zomahoun EXCELLENCE • RESPECT • PAN-AFRICANISMAIMS-NEI Network News• • INTEGRITYSeptember 2014 1 AIMS-NEI Sept 2014 news ENG 2014-09-11 2:27 PM Page 2 Network News Skills Development (TVSD), but should also prioritise the Sharing the AIMS story Mathematical Sciences. AIMS was highlighted as the working model for Africa in building the high level skills that talented young around the world men and women need to lead and transform the continent. Mr. Thierry Zomahoun, President & CEO of AIMS-NEI, Kenya led a team of representatives to key meetings across The Forum for Africa and abroad to share the vision of the AIMS African Women network and to promote Mathematical Sciences as a Educationalists vehicle for the transformation of Africa. (FAWE) invited AIMS-NEI to Canada participate in its At the invitation of the 9th General International Assembly held Development Research from 13- 15 Centre (IDRC), AIMS August in participated in a round Nairobi, Kenya. table at the June 2014 As a key partner FAWE's team and partners. Montreal conference on in FAWE’s “Innovation in Africa: An mandate to promote girls Opportunity for education in STEM in Africa, Investment and Economic AIMS-NEI took part in a round Development.” The event table on “Nurturing Diverse was an opportunity for Partnership for FAWE’s Mr. Zomahoun to present Sustainability” to identify areas for AIMS’ mission and future collaboration. A emphasise how its unique comprehensive partnership model equips students framework is being finalized and with skills for problem AIMS-NEI is excited about the Mrs. Massouka Bih (center) with Drs. Nuwagaba and Marijani. solving and critical opportunities to engage more girls thinking. Policy-makers, in STEM through the partnership with FAWE. industry leaders and high AIMS-NEI was represented at the General Assembly by net worth individuals Mireille Massouka Bih, Director Africa Development Agenda, and attended the round table Drs Savannah Nuwagaba and Theresia Marijani, both AIMS Alumni. Above: Thierry Zomahoun at the Montreal conference. and offered to support Below: AIMS-NEI delegation with the Hon. Ed Fast, Canadian this innovative initiative in Germany Minister of International trade. African scientific training. In July, the German Federal Ministry for Cote d’Ivoire Education and Later in July, Mr. Zomahoun led a delegation from AIMS-NEI to Research (BMBF) take part in the Ministerial Conference on “Providing Africa’s Youth hosted a round table with Skills and Training for Jobs” in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. During a discussion at their round table on this theme, Mr. Zomahoun delivered a powerful, Berlin headquarters challenging and engaging with leading presentation. Calling governmental African governments to stakeholders and Irene Tamajong, AIMS-NEI UK Director (left), and Arun Sharma, Managing Director of the Next Einstein Forum (right). invest in African youth, he some of Germany’s emphasised that largest foundations. The round table was convened to highlight investment should not AIMS’ work, achievements and future objectives. The event was only be placed in very well attended, with 10 institutions present from across Technical and Vocational Germany. Irene Tamajong, AIMS-NEI UK Director, and Arun Sharma, Managing Director of the Next Einstein Forum, represented AIMS-NEI delegation at the Abidjan the AIMS Network at the round table. Ministerial conference. • AIMS-NEI VISION:Leading the transformation of Africa through innovative scientific training, technical advances and breakthrough discoveries that benefit the whole of society. IN THIS ISSUE 2 Network News 5 Training Workshops 7 Alumni Alumni 1 Note from the 3 Outreach 6 AIMS Industry 8 Media Hits President and CEO 4 Research Initiative AIMS-NEI Network News is produced quarterly by AIMS Next Einstein Initiative. Contact : [email protected] 2 AIMS Next Einstein Initiative • www.nexteinstein.org AIMS-NEI Sept 2014 news ENG 2014-09-11 2:28 PM Page 3 Ceremony in Dar es Salaam confirms AIMS-NEI’s expansion to Tanzania On 4 August 2014, the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences - Next Einstein Initiative (AIMS-NEI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the government of Tanzania to open the fifth AIMS centre of excellence. he ceremony took place in Dar es Salaam at the offices of the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MoEVT). Prof. Sifuni Mchome, TPermanent Secretary to the MoEVT, signed on behalf of the government of the United Republic of Tanzania, alongside Mr Thierry Zomahoun, President & CEO of AIMS-NEI. Signing the MOU with government of Tanzania officials, to open the fifth AIMS centre of excellence. The new AIMS centre is scheduled to open in October 2014 in the city of Arusha in the country’s northern region. The permanent campus will reside at the Old Boma in Bagamoyo, a historical building donated by the government of saviour at the right time. “Mathematics learning at Secondary and Primary level Tanzania, and is set to open in September 2015, after extensive renovation work need to improve and with AIMS coming to Tanzania we are pleased. The vision of has been completed. President Kikwete is to accelerate the development of Tanzania through the use of The expansion agreement was finalised following a meeting of top officials Science and Technology.