OUR ALUMNI

Kevin Belingar did not arrive at mathematics by design. He arrived by providence. There is a condition some call the Da Vinci Syndrome: the restless mind that cannot be contained by a single passion, that reaches in every direction at once, curious about everything and committed to nothing for long. Kevin knows it well. Growing up, he had many interests. But beneath all of them, one thing remained constant, undeniable, and entirely his own: computers. It was not a hobby he cultivated. It was something closer to a language he was born speaking. Growing up in Chad with limited access to computers, Kevin never had the luxury of spending hours tinkering freely with machines. And yet, what should have been a barrier became a kind of gift. He did not need to open them to understand them. The logic came naturally, without effort, as though it had always been there waiting. Cybersecurity, programming, the architecture of systems, these things made sense to him. When Kevin left Chad for Senegal, it was medicine that brought him across the border. He arrived with expectations, with plans, with the particular certainty of someone who believes he already knows the shape of his future. That certainty did not last long. Through a turn of events he did not anticipate, Kevin found himself redirected toward mathematics, physics, and computer science. At the time, it felt like a detour. Looking back, it was a calling. “God’s plan,” Kevin would later say, “is always greater than your own.” Mathematics became more than a subject. It became the language through which Kevin learned to think with precision and create without limits. The discipline of pure reasoning sharpened his logic. The beauty of abstract structures deepened his creativity. And beneath it all, his passion for computers never dimmed; it simply found a stronger, more rigorous foundation to stand on. He pursued his undergraduate degree in Pure Mathematics at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, followed by a first year of a master’s in Applied Mathematics. Then came AIMS Senegal. In October 2023, Kevin joined the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, awarded the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship for academic excellence and leadership potential. From the first weeks, he understood he had stepped into something different. It was the intensity that struck him first. The curriculum at AIMS did not ease you in. It immersed you completely. The pace was relentless, the standards demanding, and the expectation was not merely to learn, but to think deeply, independently, and across disciplines. For a student with Kevin’s mathematical foundation and technical ambition, it was exactly the kind of environment where potential could be fully tested. But the transformation at AIMS went beyond the technical. Long before AIMS, Kevin’s father had given him a principle to live by: take advantage of the opportunities you face, because others are missing them. Not everyone gets the door. When it opens, you walk through it fully, without hesitation, without looking back. That quiet instruction shaped how Kevin moved through every challenge and every chance that came his way. Kevin arrived as someone who had always been more comfortable building systems than explaining them. At AIMS, that principle became a daily practice and that changed everything. Through the culture of rigorous debate, open inquiry, and constant presentation, he developed something equally valuable: the ability to argue. To anticipate counterarguments before they arrived. To walk into a room with not just an answer, but the reasoning behind it, clearly structured and ready to be challenged. He also discovered two kinds of creativity at AIMS and both left their mark. The first is the creativity of invention: the ability to imagine what does not yet exist and find a way to build it. The second is the creativity of resilience: the refusal to be stopped. If Plan A does not work, you do not stop. You do not accept the dead end. You think, you reframe, you find the angle no one else tried and you make it work. That is Plan B. Not a fallback, but a discipline. The capacity to adapt when the obvious path closes became one of the most defining skills Kevin carried out of AIMS, and one he uses every single day. The same discipline extended to how he communicated. Through repeated presentations and peer feedback, Kevin learned to translate technical complexity into accessible insight and understood that an idea that cannot be shared cannot create impact. That lesson was proven on a memorable stage. At the Deep Learning IndabaX Sénégal 2024, Kevin won the Poster Session for his research on applying Artificial Neural Networks to the Black-Scholes model work sitting at the intersection of deep learning and quantitative finance. He also placed second in the 3-Minute Master’s Thesis Defense competition. The recognition confirmed that his voice as a researcher had arrived. One of the quiet but powerful gifts of AIMS is its network of partners. For students stepping into an intense academic program far from home, knowing that a real-world internship is not just possible but facilitated and guaranteed through institutional partnerships brings a particular kind of confidence. It signals that the world beyond the classroom is already watching, already waiting. For Kevin, that opportunity came through Logidoo, an AIMS partner, where he worked as a Junior Data Scientist building computer vision models for logistics automation and translating raw data into systems that worked in the real world. It was the bridge between theory and impact that AIMS had always promised. He graduated with Distinction, ranked in the top two percent of his cohort. Graduation was not a finish line. It was a launch pad. That path led him to Babacar Birane, CEO of Concree and a committed partner of AIMS Senegal. One day, Babacar looked at Kevin and said: “Kevin, you can be in the Top 1 not just in Africa, but in the world.” Flattering, certainly. But Kevin received it not as praise, but as a charge. “With God, discipline, and work,” he said quietly, “I believe I can achieve something big.” Concree’s partnership with AIMS reflects exactly that spirit, a willingness to invest in talent, carry the AIMS vision forward, and build the kind of African innovation ecosystem where that ambition can become reality. Beyond his own studies, Kevin gave back consistently. He organized the inaugural AIMS Senegal Python Programming Competition, opening the door to the next generation of coders. He led Africa Science Week 2025, coordinating inclusive STEM activities for youth across West Africa including refugees and young people with disabilities. He co-organized Deep Learning IndabaX Sénégal 2025, contributing to the continent’s most important grassroots AI conference. The principle that guided all of it was simple: helping others is the best way to learn. Today, Kevin works as an AI Research Scientist at Concree in Dakar, at the frontier of artificial intelligence. He works on building agentic architecture systems where AI models reason, plan, and act and on understanding how the most advanced frontier models can be harnessed to build real solutions for African entrepreneurs and institutions. His work spans research on Large Language Models, fine-tuning, model alignment, and open-source AI development.

Dreaming of An Africa Where Education is Available To All Social Group Ms. Moutamal earned a Master’s in Mathematics at the University of Douala before joining AIMS-Cameroon where she graduated as valedictorian of our 2017/2018 cohort. Empowered by the give-back spirit at AIMS, Maryse joined the “Rise Africa” project where she contributes to promoting accessible education for needy children in Cameroon while teaching them some practical skills that will help them become independent and useful to others. Maryse obtained her Ph.D. degree from the University of Buea in partnership with the AIMS-Cameroon Research Center. She aspires to be acknowledged amongst the greatest scientists in Africa through ground-breaking and inspiring Research.

Michel Rwema’s inspiring journey from student to postdoctoral researcher highlights AIMS’ impact on African science leadership.

Comfort Jones, from Nigeria, found that her interest in mathematical modelling in addressing public health problems was piqued by the Clinic on Meaningful Modelling of Epidemiological Data (MMED) that was offered during her time at AIMS in 2024. The workshop is a collaboration between AIMS SA and the South African Centre of Excellence in Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA). Comfort’s mathematical journey began at the University of Uyo where she graduated with a first-class honours degree in Mathematics. In 2024, she obtained her Structured Master’s Degree in Mathematical Science from AIMS with support from the Mastercard Foundation. She was one of the top achievers of the January 2024 cohort. She credits the quality of education and the courses taught at AIMS as having a significant impact on her journey and career path. She is currently enrolled for a MSc Research Fellowship in Epidemiological Modelling with SACEMA at Stellenbosch University. She was alerted of this opportunity through the AIMS network. Her research thesis focuses on the benefits of adding wastewater surveillance as a routine method for infectious diseases, focusing on Hepatitis E. Through her work, Comfort is contributing to innovative approaches in public health monitoring that could have significant impact across Africa and beyond.

Ndivhuwo is an alumnus of AIMS South Africa, graduating in 2013, and currently serves as a Quantitative Risk Analyst at the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). In this role, he focuses on the development and validation of credit risk models used for regulatory capital calculations under the Advanced Internal Ratings-Based (AIRB) framework. He is also involved in research assessing the application of machine learning techniques to estimate Basel risk parameters, contributing to the development of evolving credit risk policies and regulatory standards.

Zinhle graduated from AIMS South Africa in 2015 and is currently a Junior Researcher at the South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA). Her research focuses on applying mathematical modelling to study the effects of climate change on vector-borne diseases. Her current work uses mathematical models to evaluate the potential risk and spread of dengue virus if introduced in South Africa.

Hanifatu Napari Mumuni is a dynamic academic, researcher, and leader whose work sits at the intersection of statistics, technology, and real-world impact. She currently serves as a Lecturer and Head of Department at Tamale Technical University (TATU), where she leads programmes in Statistics and Actuarial Science, while mentoring students to become skilled, ethical, and industry-ready professionals.

My first encounter with AIMS dates back to 2011, the year the institute opened its doors in Senegal. I was still in middle school then, and I vividly remember watching the opening ceremony on television. From that moment, attending AIMS Senegal became a cherished dream, one that finally came true in September 2019. Looking back on my time at AIMS, I am filled with deep gratitude for the transformative impact it has had on my life. The rigorous, specialized education I received there enabled me to pursue my passion for artificial intelligence. Though my master’s was in differential geometry, the unique training at AIMS equipped me with a comprehensive skill set perfectly aligned with the demands of the professional world. Several key factors shaped my ability to adapt and thrive in any work environment. My roommate from an English-speaking country became an invaluable mentor in language proficiency. Our daily conversations and the institute’s English-taught courses significantly strengthened my communication skills. Beyond language, AIMS nurtured my problem-solving abilities, instilled resilience under pressure, and reinforced the value of continuous learning, teamwork, and self-improvement. At AIMS, I learned to approach complex challenges with confidence, embrace change, and proactively seek opportunities for growth through certifications and specializations. The institute’s commitment to holistic student development empowered me to integrate seamlessly into diverse projects, whether in AI or automation. I cherished every moment at AIMS, seizing each opportunity as though it were my last, and drawing fully from the wisdom of eminent professors. This experience deepened my knowledge, strengthened my self-confidence, and gave me the courage to spread my wings. As our time at the institute drew to a close, AIMS played a pivotal role in connecting students with internship opportunities. I had the privilege of being selected for a computer vision internship at LIMSAD, a prestigious research laboratory. This transformative experience allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems, and culminated in the publication of an article in the Springer scientific journal “A Face Mask Detection System Based on Deep Learning Convolutional Neural Networks” a milestone that shaped my career direction and opened the door to my first role as a data scientist. In gratitude for everything my alma mater gave me, I have actively collaborated with the AIMS Senegal board since 2021 to facilitate internship recruitment for students within companies in my network and beyond. To date, I have contributed to the placement of around 30 interns, supporting their professional growth. In doing so, I strive to uphold the AIMS legacy and pass the AIMS spirit on to the next generation of brilliant young African scholars.

They say the most meaningful journeys often begin by chance. For Rania, a young scientist from Sudan, that moment came with a simple decision: applying to the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) alongside a friend. What began as a shared application soon became one of the most defining turning points of her life. Before arriving at AIMS, Rania’s academic path was rooted in medical physics. Her studies focused on applying physics to medicine, a field that demands precision, analytical thinking, and a deep commitment to solving real-world problems. Yet as she progressed, she felt a growing curiosity to explore broader ways science could be applied to intricate challenges. While she valued the physical laws of the laboratory, she became increasingly fascinated by the hidden patterns within larger systems, a shift in focus that would eventually lead her toward the world of data. At the time, her future seemed to be heading in a different direction. A PhD opportunity in China was within reach. Yet something about AIMS felt different. It promised more than academic study; it offered a community, a challenge, and the possibility of discovering new directions for her potential. She chose AIMS. Leaving Sudan and moving to Senegal, Rania stepped into a new environment filled with unfamiliar cultures, ideas, and perspectives. At AIMS Senegal, students from across Africa came together with a shared ambition: to use science and mathematics to solve real problems. The program demanded discipline, intellectual curiosity, and resilience. Students were challenged not only to master advanced concepts but also to think creatively, collaborate across cultures, and persist when faced with difficult problems. But what shaped Rania most was not only the academic intensity. AIMS became a place of support and belonging. The administration and staff, including Mr. Jean, created an environment where students felt encouraged to grow, experiment, and believe in their potential. That belief planted a confidence that extended far beyond the classroom. For Rania, the experience became a journey of transformation. The challenges of the program pushed her to confront uncertainty and discover strengths she did not know she possessed. Through that process, she learned an important lesson: growth often begins where comfort ends, and perseverance can transform uncertainty into opportunity. It was also where she discovered a mindset that would shape her career: a passion for turning dense information into clear insights that people can act on. Those lessons ultimately guided her toward a new professional path. Through an internship opportunity offered by AIMS as part of the program, Rania gained real-world experience that eventually led to a full-time position at the same company where she now works as a Data Analyst. Today, Rania works in Senegal as a Data Analyst specializing in business intelligence. Using tools such as Power BI, she transforms complex datasets into actionable insights and interactive dashboards, helping organizations make better decisions and uncover growth opportunities.Her passion for data storytelling has also gained recognition beyond the workplace. Rania earned recognition for building one of the best dashboards in the Maven Analytics Challenge, a global competition where analysts transform raw datasets into compelling analytical narratives. Beyond her professional work, she believes knowledge grows when it is shared. Motivated by this belief, she has contributed to supporting aspiring analysts by teaching Sudanese students the fundamentals of Power BI for free, helping them take their first steps into the world of data analytics. Through both her professional work and community contributions, Rania continues to demonstrate how analytical thinking and data-driven insight can create meaningful impact. Looking back, what began as a simple application alongside a friend became the foundation of a career she is proud of and a journey defined by growth, resilience, and purpose. For Rania, AIMS was more than a place to study; it was the place where she discovered the path she was meant to follow, and the confidence to keep building it.