AIMS South Africa Newsletter August/September 2020

It has been noted that Mathematical Sciences have a critical role to play in solving complex challenges faced globally. Such challenges are significant in Africa. Indeed, a few young people pursue mathematical sciences careers. Socio-economic factors, lack of mentoring and role models are some of the reasons given for the low participation in Mathematical Sciences.
Over recent decades, the calls for action from governments and scientific institutions for researchers and academics to undertake Science Communication and Public Engagement have been prominent around the world. In the African continent, it is profoundly obvious that without the advancement of the Science Communication and Public Engagement agenda, attempts at addressing developmental challenges and
On 22 July 2020, AIMS House of Science, in partnership with African Gong conducted the Africa Scientifique introductory online workshop for the current master’s AIMS students. The Africa Scientifique (AS) programme is about Leadership, Knowledge & Skills for Science Communication. The workshop featured thought-provoking, informative and inspiring presentations by the manager of AIMS House of Science
The increased participation of women in mathematical sciences has been a challenge worldwide. The UNESCO Institute for Statistics records that women account for less than 30% of the world’s researchers. According to the recently published book, Gender Gap in Science: A Global Approach to the Gender Gap in Mathematical, Computing, and Natural Sciences How to
This year due to lockdown we have experienced many “first times” in the life of AIMS, and for all of us this was a new experience. So normally we would have held a special graduation ceremony celebrating the success of our 2019-20 Structured Master’s Students. As this was impossible now, we produced a short Recognition
In July 2020, AIMS held a virtual ceremony to honour 162 graduates (38% women) from 29 African countries, recipients of the AIMS Master’s in Mathematical Sciences. Featuring a commencement address by Professor Neil Turok, AIMS Founder and Board Chair, the ceremony celebrated the graduates of the AIMS Structured Master’s Program from AIMS Cameroon (32), AIMS