The 2025 3-phased Africa Scientifique programme kicked off, continuing its mission to equip young and emerging STEM scholars and researchers with the skills and knowledge. The educational outcomes thereof sought to enable these scholars and researchers to effectively communicate their research ideas and results with wider audiences using different platforms and tools. Since its inception in 2020, delivered in partnership with African Gong, the programme has evolved into a transformative experience for AIMS South Africa students and researchers. In 2024, it expanded to include Honours students and lecturers from the South African Historically Disadvantaged Institutions (HDIs) in line with the national transformation agenda. In 2025, in addition to the traditional offerings, a dedicated Africa Scientifique (AS) programme will be delivered for Mastercard Foundation Scholars at AIMS South Africa.

Phase 1 of this year’s programme, the Introductory Workshop, took place on 27 February. Mr Donald Zvada, a structured Master’s student and Mastercard Foundation Scholar at AIMS South Africa, directed the workshop as part of his leadership training. Prof. Claire David, Academic Director of Master’s Stream AI for Science, gave welcome remarks.

The workshop brought together AIMS students – aspiring science communicators and alumni – for an engaging session filled with insights and inspiration from expert facilitators and AS programme alumni. The Workshop was facilitated by Dr Rejoyce Gavhi-Molefe, AIMS’s House of Science Manager, and Dr Elizabeth Rasekoala, the President of Africa Gong. They introduced participants to the strategic background behind the AS programme development and its transformational pan-African contexts; the AS programme delivery at AIMS in terms of the organisation’s vision, rationale, contexts, challenges and benefits for the students and AIMS; and global historical and contemporary contexts, practices and progressions to describe what science communication is about. The workshop also elaborated on empowering perspectives, career-enhancing benefits for the students, career trajectories in academia, industry, and beyond, and envisaged outcomes for participants.

Dr Rasekoala emphasised the critical role of science communication in bridging the knowledge gap across Africa.

“There is no point in having scientific knowledge if we do not help drive development on our continent. Science must be accessible, and you, as young African scientists, must be at the forefront of this movement,” she asserted passionately.”

During the Introductory Workshop, the participants produced the following word cloud based on their views on science communication.

During the workshop, the AS Programme alumni from the class of  2021, 2022 and 2024 shared their experiences and the impact of Africa Scientifique on their careers serving as role models. The role models were Mr Pride Duve, a PhD Candidate at Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Germany; Ms Thembelihle Dlamini, a PhD Candidate at the University in Augsburg, Germany; and Ms Tsiry Meva Sisih Rakotondratoetra, MSc Candidate at AIMS South Africa. They testified about the transformative impact of the AS programme on their confidence, career progression, and views as emerging African scientists. 

Pride reflected on his Post-AS programme journey:

“Exactly three years ago, I was sitting where you are now. The confidence and skills I gained from this programme allowed me to present my research in a way that connects with people from all backgrounds, such as policy features. Today, I develop innovative tools to combat mosquito-borne diseases, and my ability to communicate science has been crucial in securing funding and collaborations.“

His research focuses on the intersection of mathematics and biology, particularly mosquito-borne diseases. He develops innovative strategies for combating mosquito-borne diseases globally, integrating climate change considerations and data-driven approaches. To enhance public understanding of his research, he developed an interactive application based on systems of partial differential equations. He humorously noted:

“Public health is now full of interdisciplinarity, but the moment we start speaking about equations and mathematics, people start getting into their cell phones… and start sleeping.”

Encouraging the audience to embrace innovation and science communication, Pride concluded:
“If you interpret or communicate your scientific results well, your science will speak for you. Take the lessons from this workshop, be innovative, and use your skills to communicate science effectively.”

What’s Next? Two Intensive Three-day Workshops and Six Post-Workshop Science Communication Project Activities Mentoring

The second phase of the AS programme – two three-day intensive and interactive workshops – will take place on 17-19 April 2025 and 2-4 June 2025 at AIMS South Africa. It will provide opportunities for the participants to continue their journey and delve deeper into the world of science communication/public engagement and the potential leverages that it can engender for their career advancement.

The participants are already excited about the opportunity and ready to embark on the second leg of their science communication journey.

“I am struggling to explain the concept so that the other person gets it, I always just dive too much into mathematics and the next person ends up being confused. Also my low confidence costs me a lot when it comes to presenting. I would like to train myself with public speaking, how to present my scientific research/report to people in simple terms, how to restore my confidence in stage.” 2025 AS Introductory workshop participant.”

A key outcome of the three-day workshop will be that the participants will have to conceptualise and pitch a specific science communication/public engagement activity from their AS Workshop project proposals or their AIMS research project. The research projects will be undertaken over six months (after the AS Workshop) to put into practice the knowledge and skills gained from the workshop. During this period, the participants will be mentored in planning, delivering, and monitoring and evaluating their public engagement activities. While some students will carry out these projects in their home countries, some of these will be implemented in Cape Town.