OPPORTUNITIES TO PRODUCE MORE AFRICAN SCIENTISTS

Rector of AIMS Tanzania,
Mark Roberts

 The scope for producing more African Scientists will be broadened with the introduction of a highly specialized African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) in Tanzania, to be specific in the historic town of Bagamoyo.

Tanzania will be the fifth country in Africa to benefit from the AIMS expertise in delivering postgraduate training to talented students and conducting research on applications of the mathematical sciences. 

Next year, a sixth centre will be established in neighboring Rwanda. The masterplan of the organization, the AIMS Next Einstein Initiative (NEI), is to establish fifteen such institutes across Africa, all nurturing highly trained scientists in a range of specialisms.

AIMS NEI centres are currently also operational in South Africa, Senegal, Ghana and Cameroon. So far 731 high caliber African Scientists from 41 African nations have graduated to take up further academic options, such as PhDs, and to pursue careers in professions such as education, IT and business.

In Bagamoyo plans are being made to set-up the AIMS Tanzania campus at the historic German Boma, the use of which has been granted to AIMS Tanzania by His Excellency the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Jakaya Kikwete. 

Renovation of the ocean-facing building and further development of the campus might take longer time to complete, but the Institute is moving to temporary premises in the town in August 2015, in time for the next intake of students.  

The initial intake in Bagamoyo will be 55 masters students from 13 African countries, with one third from Tanzania. Financial implications in terms of travel, academic tuition, boarding and lodging facilities, and pocket expenses will be covered by AIMS. 

Funding for AIMS NEI comes from host governments and international donors such as the Canadian IDRC, the UK DFID and the Mastercard Foundation.

In an interview the Rector of AIMS Tanzania, Mark Roberts, who is a Professor of Mathematics, highly praised the support of the Honourable Minister of Education and Vocational Training, Dr. Shukuru Kawambwa and his Ministry colleagues, and that of the District Council and people of Bagamoyo, in the exciting job of setting up the Institute.

AIMS Tanzania is a partnership between the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and AIMS NEI, established by a Memorandum of Understanding signed in August 2014 that sets out their joint aims of establishing centres for postgraduate and teacher training, research and public engagement. 

The agreement was signed in the presence of high ranking Government officials by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, Prof. Sifuni Mchome, on behalf of the Government, and the President and CEO of AIMS-NEI, Thierry Zomahoun. 

Prof. Roberts was enthusiastic about the prospects for producing greater numbers of African Scientists to speed up the development of the continent. 

The mathematical sciences play essential roles in a wide range of African challenges and opportunities, including health, agriculture, climate, ICT, business and finance. 

Prof. Roberts also said he looked forward to AIMS Tanzania working with other local institutions to contribute to the development of Bagamoyo as one of the leading educational, research and cultural centres in East Africa.   

Story and Picture by Abdul Hai

www.bagamoyonews.hotspot.com