South African Math Institute Aims High

May 27, 2008

A public lecture by theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking highlighted the inaugural celebration of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) Research Centre, held in early May. Based in Muizenberg, South Africa, the institute brings together more than 50 students from across Africa for intensive mathematical study.

Mathematical physicist and AIMS' founder Neil Turok of the University of Cambridge had invited Hawking to come to Africa to deliver his first lecture on the continent. Also attending the celebration were physics Nobel laureates David Gross and George Smoot and NASA administrator Michael Griffin.

Turok told the Cape Argus that the guests had come in support of efforts to "unlock and nurture scientific talent across Africa." Their presence, he said, "will help encourage Africa's brightest mathematics and science graduates to enter programs like AIMS, where they can grow into independent problem-solvers, creative thinkers, innovators and excellent teachers, not ivory tower academics."

Students at AIMS, which opened in 2003, are given free room and board and take a series of intensive three-week courses from visiting lecturers. Courses focus on mathematics and physics, particularly on applications of mathematics in such fields as bioinformatics, finance, and astronomy. The new educational centre is an important extension to the institute.

Students appreciate "the openness of lecturers, the nature of the material, the language—AIMS is completely different," Esra Khaleel, from Sudan, told Science. Fellow student Proscovia Namayanja of Uganda wants "to understand the difficult concepts" and then "return to Uganda to teach those concepts."

Graduates are committed to giving something back to Africa. Walter Mudzimbabwe of Zimbabwe plans to become an expert in financial mathematics, for example. Lydia Flore Mamoade—the first woman to receive a mathematics degree in the Central African Republic—aims to earn a higher degree before returning home to her country.

Source: Independent Online (Cape Argus), May 8, 2008; Science, May 2, 2008.