On 13 October, AIMS celebrated the success of 14 students (including 11 South Africans) from the January 2020 intake during an online ceremony.

Dr Simukai Utete, the Academic Director, congratulated the students for adapting to the very challenging circumstances and managing to complete the programme. “We wish you the very best for your next career steps and hope you will encourage others to come to AIMS so that they can benefit in the same ways you have.”

The guest speaker was Dr Ndivhuwo Makondo, a Research Scientist in Machine Learning at IBM Research | Africa, in the South Africa Lab.who advised the students that they should do work that they are very passionate about as then ‘it does not feel like hard work’. He also went on to say that finding mentors is key as “mentors can expose you to opportunities and help you find better ways of going about your career.”

The first student speaker, Mr Tumelo Donald Sereo, noted that the students should really celebrate and be very proud of what they have achieved, but he noted that this would not have been possible without the support of AIMS staff, lecturers, tutors and supervisors. “It is now our responsibility to go back and develop the skills in our communities and Africa as a whole. The future is in our hands.’

Ms Gulfornia Thakana Phahlane, the second student speaker, also reiterated her thanks and noted “AIMS was quite a journey and it was not easy and we would not have made it without all the support that we have received.”

Prof. Barry Green, Director went on to congratulate the students again and thanked everyone for supporting the students and making this another successful year at AIMS South Africa.