From 7 to 16 January 2026, five students from the Mathematical Sciences cohort, Lavender Ayako, Ngabigala Samweli Eliya, Mannondé Gbaguidi, Vanessa Kouam Kenmogne, and Angela Fosu, participated in the Mathematics in Industry Study Group (MISG) 2026, hosted at the University of the Witwatersrand.
The programme combined a preparatory Graduate Modelling Camp (7–10 January) with the main MISG event (12–16 January), offering an intensive introduction to industrial modelling and applied research. During the Modelling Camp, students were introduced to real-world problem-solving methodologies and presented ongoing work within their study groups. The collaborative format helped build confidence, strengthen communication skills, and foster connections with an international network of researchers and professionals.
The main MISG event challenged participants with complex industrial problems requiring sustained analytical rigour and interdisciplinary collaboration. AIMS students contributed to projects on corrosion inhibition for CO₂ storage, deep-sea mining, and forces acting on a diffuser lifting screw. Working closely with supervisors and industry experts, students applied mathematical tools to develop practical, solution-oriented insights.
MISG 2026 provided a valuable opportunity for AIMS students to translate theoretical knowledge into applied practice, while gaining first-hand exposure to the expectations and challenges of industrial research in South Africa.
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