Three AIMS alumni attended a Singularity University short course at NASA AMES in Silicon Valley from 19 June to the end of August  2010. Mercy Njima (2007-8), Kidist Zeleke (2007-8) and Hind Ahmed (2005-6) were provided with special grants to cover their travel, registration and living costs during the course. Singularity University  (SU)is an interdisciplinary university whose mission is to assemble, educate and inspire a cadre of leaders who strive to understand and facilitate the development of exponentially advancing technologies in order to address humanity’s grand challenges.

Reflecting on the experience, Hind Ahmed said: “After SU I now see science and technology is the driving force of change I now believe that the solutions for the problems of humanity – hunger,energy,water sanitation, health  – exist, and that technology is the key to solve theseproblems. We as leaders of the future must take responsibility and face the challenges! I left SU with Mahatma Gandhi’s words in mind ‘Be the change that you want to see in the world’.”

Mercy, Hind and Kidist are pictured on the right with the co-founder and Chairman of Singularity University Dr. Peter H. Diamandis.