WHO WE ARE
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OUR STORY
The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), founded in 2003, is Africa’s first and largest network of Institutes of Excellence dedicated to advanced postgraduate education and research in the mathematical sciences.
AIMS empowers young Africans to influence the future of the continent through education, research, and public engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The network comprises six Institutes of Excellence located in South Africa, Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon, and Rwanda, in addition to a Research and Innovation Centre also situated in Rwanda.
AIMS was founded in 2003 as a partnership between African and International Universities including the Universities of Cape Town, Stellenbosch and the Western Cape, Cambridge, Oxford and Orsay (Paris-Sud). AIMS’ founder, Professor Neil Turok, currently Higgs Chair of Theoretical Physics at the University of Edinburgh, continues to Chair the AIMS International Governing Board. With the support of renowned African and International scientists including Professors Francis Allotey and Stephen Hawking, AIMS recruited top international lecturers to come together with Africa’s brightest students in order to build a thriving community of young scientists and innovators in Africa. Since then AIMS has built close partnerships with several African and international governments, with leading philanthropic organisations including the Mastercard Foundation, and many African and international universities.
The AIMS Approach
Responsibility-first education
At AIMS, scientific training begins with responsibility. Students are selected not only for academic excellence, but for their readiness to apply knowledge to real-world challenges and societal progress.
At AIMS, scientific training begins with responsibility. Students are selected not only for academic excellence, but for their readiness to apply knowledge to real-world challenges and societal progress.
Rigorous academic model
Programs are intentionally intensive and fast-paced, reflecting the demands of advanced research and innovation. This rigour prepares graduates for doctoral studies and high-impact roles across sectors.
Programs are intentionally intensive and fast-paced, reflecting the demands of advanced research and innovation. This rigour prepares graduates for doctoral studies and high-impact roles across sectors.
Pan-African collaboration
AIMS brings together students and faculty from across Africa and the global scientific community. This diversity strengthens learning, collaboration, and long-term scientific networks.
AIMS brings together students and faculty from across Africa and the global scientific community. This diversity strengthens learning, collaboration, and long-term scientific networks.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to empower talented young Africans to be creative leaders in science and technology.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to see a prosperous Africa, propelled by innovative education and Mathematical Sciences.
THE FUTURE OF AIMS
In 2022, AIMS launched a new 10-year strategic plan; a forward-looking roadmap aimed at deepening impact and building on the network’s achievements. At the heart of this strategy are the SEED goals: Scaling Up, Education, Employment, and Discovery.
Scaling Up:
Scaling Up involves increasing AIMS’ capacity, operational excellence and organizational sustainability, building custom infrastructure for AIMS centres, as well as establishing five satellite campuses in different regions. This expansion aims to increase access to AIMS Programs and foster a larger community of learners.
Education:
Education is at the core of AIMS and the goal is to train 7,000 MSc and 1,500 PhD students by 2032. Additionally, it aims to achieve diverse enrolment targets, including 50% women, 20% refugees or displaced youth, and 10% for students with disabilities. These initiatives ensure that AIMS’ Programs are inclusive and accessible to a broad range of students. The in-service teacher training Programs aims to annually train 10,000 school teachers across Africa to ignite interest in STEM among younger students and lead community initiatives in climate change adaptation and health.
Employment:
The Employment goal is to empower talented young Africans to be creative leaders in science and technology, scaling up work integrated learning, internship opportunities and partnerships with industries will support graduate transition to employment. AIMS is committed to creating incubator programs to encourage the development of innovative businesses and establishing investment funds to support graduate entrepreneurship
Discovery:
The discovery aspect of the strategic plan includes giving brilliant young Africans the opportunity and resources to pursue basic and applied research that will lead to breakthrough discoveries. AIMS is focused on building capacity for front-line research and innovation, especially in areas most relevant to Africa’s needs and opportunities. Raising public engagement as well as knowledge-sharing and technology transfer with public and private partners are key priorities.
Annual Reports
ANNUAL REPORTS & AUDITS
Mathematics is the foundation of scientific and technological advancement. AIMS recognizes that a mathematically and scientifically empowered Africa is essential for the continent’s development and competitiveness in today’s knowledge economy.
AIMS Ghana Consolidated Annual Report 2019-2024
AIMS South Africa Annual Report Overview 2023-2024
