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  • #AlumoftheWeek — Sahadatu Larabu, AIMS SA’20

    #AlumoftheWeek — Sahadatu Larabu, AIMS SA’20

    From the AIMS South Africa’20 cohort, we catch up with Sahadatu Larabu, also an AIMS-ESMT IIP’20 Fellow and a Mastercard Foundation scholar, as she takes us on a journey into her experiences at AIMS and life thereafter. She is currently a Data Scientist and a Finance Intern at the Mastercard Foundation.

    Q: Tell us about yourself before your journey at AIMS.

    Sahada: Before coming to AIMS, I had my undergraduate studies at the University of Ghana, where I graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics and Economics.

    Q: How would you describe your time at AIMS?

    Sahada: I decided to study at AIMS after a friend, an alumna, told me about it. I would say that has been one of the best decisions and most memorable times of my life. AIMS was a wonderful experience both academically and socially. AIMS gave me a second lovely family with which I spent a little over a year, from meeting like-minded and talented mathematicians across Africa, studying together, taking walks by the Muizenberg beach, going for hikes, and building long-lasting connections and friendships.

    AIMS taught me to be a critical thinker, an innovative, and an independent problem solver.

    However, AIMS is not for the faint-hearted. It was super intensive and kept me on my toes. I remember I stayed up a whole night without realizing to understand and work on an algebra assignment, only to come out of the lab when it was morning and bright outside. In summary, AIMS has been the best for me!

    Q: Tell us about the impact AIMS has had on you.

    Sahada: AIMS has had a tremendous impact on me and my career. Getting introduced to Python, Data Science, and Machine Learning at AIMS has been one of the major highlights of my career. The problem-solving skills have equally been instrumental in my career and my daily life.

    Q: What would you describe as your post-AIMS success story?

    Sahada: AIMS has been a significant contributor to my success journey after completion. As an alumna of the AIMS-ESMT Industry Immersion Program, I gleaned a placement at TheloDB Pty as a Data Science Intern. This opportunity has given me real-world hands-on and industrial experience with Data Science. I believe this has prepared me for the milestones ahead as a Data Scientist.

    Also, with my current internship with the Mastercard Foundation, I got to know about the graduate internship program from AIMS. In the next few years, I see myself contributing immensely to problem-solving in areas of Health, Economics, and Finance, using data science and Machine Learning.

    The future looks so bright; I am optimistic about that. I am ready for the future!

    Q: Which of the SDGs is most important/relevant to you? How do you plan on addressing it in your work?

    Sahada: I believe in the power of Data. I am therefore passionate about using Data Science, and Machine Learning applied in areas of economics, finance, and health to solve real-world problems and make an impact. With this passion, I will be able to address SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

    Also, currently working as a Finance Intern at the Mastercard Foundation, I indirectly contribute to the Foundation’s work of seeking a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn and prosper. Hence, I am helping to address SDG 4: Quality Education.

    Q: What is your message to current AIMS students and young people across the continent?

    Sahada: Make the best out of your time at AIMS, get to know your colleagues, and build long-lasting relationships with them. Be there for each other. Be ready to share your knowledge and learn from each other. Be optimistic and take up online courses to learn more skills. Take up opportunities AIMS and life has to offer, and remember, the world is your oyster!

  • #AlumoftheWeek — Salomon KABONGO KABENAMUALU, AIMS SA’19 & AIMS AMMI’20

    #AlumoftheWeek — Salomon KABONGO KABENAMUALU, AIMS SA’19 & AIMS AMMI’20

    We head off to Central Africa from the west coast to catch up with AIMS South Africa’19, AIMS AMMI’20 alumnus and a Mastercard Foundation scholar Salomon Kabongo Kabenamualu. Currently a PhD Student at the Leibniz University of Hannover in Germany, he shares his scientific journey on this week’s edition of #AlumoftheWeek!

    Q: Kindly walk us through your academic journey before AIMS.

    Salomon: Before AIMS, I had spent almost six years completing a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from the Université de Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This long wait was basically because visiting professors were primarily unavailable, and hard to get to our University. I was fortunate, however, to be supervised by Dr Franck Kalala, an AIMS alumnus, in my final year. Since then, he has been a mentor, helped me understand how to do scientific research, and provided me with enough tips and materials to prepare for AIMS.

    Q: How would you describe your time at AIMS?

    Salomon: AIMS provided me with an environment free of financial stress and open to discovery where even the sky was not the limit. I liked the approach of marks allocation. This unique method taught me that doing better in a course was not the target I should have as a student, but understanding the material’s content was the focus of the academic curriculum.

    Q: Tell us about the impact AIMS has had on you.

    Salomon: AIMS has helped me to become a problem-solver. More importantly, through AIMS, I now have an answer to provide to the world and especially people in the continent studying mathematics without understanding how these rather complicated structures are the backbone of the current advances in science. At AIMS, math makes sense J.

    Q: What would you describe as your post-AIMS success story?

    Salomon: I will first mention the network that AIMS has provided me. I got the opportunity to meet and become a family with lovely people all over the continent and the world. Also, at AIMS, I was introduced to data science; I got interested in working in Machine Learning and currently working toward a PhD degree at the Leibniz University of Hannover in Germany.

    Q: Which of the SDGs is most important/relevant to you? How do you plan on addressing it in your work?

    Salomon: I am more inclined with the Innovation, Industry and Infrastructure as well as Quality Education. I’m leveraging advanced NLP techniques to facilitate and modernize scholar communication (see https://www.orkg.org/orkg/, @orkg_org).

    I’m actively working as well with the Masakhane Initiative (https://www.masakhane.io/ ) on pushing research for translation systems (http://translate.masakhane.io/) and speech technologies (http://speech.masakhane.io/) for African languages.

    Q: What is your message to current AIMS students and young people across the continent?

    Salomon: The AIMS scholarship is a once in the lifetime opportunity, so don’t take it lightly.

  • #AlumoftheWeek — Edward Korveh, AIMS Ghana’14

    #AlumoftheWeek — Edward Korveh, AIMS Ghana’14

    On this week’s edition of AlumoftheWeek, we catch up with AIMS Ghana’14 alumnus Edward Korveh, PhD student at the University of Ghana.

    Q: Kindly walk us through your academic journey before coming to AIMS.

    Edward: I gained admission to study for a BSc in Mathematics at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, Ghana, graduating in 2012. After our first lecture in my first year, four other freshmen and I decided to form a study group. This study group was a game-changer for me. Our modus operandi was a straightforward one — share the challenging semester courses among members, and let them lead the discussion during group meetings. The group became very successful, and soon our membership doubled. This approach also encouraged other members of the class to do the same. At the end of the four years, six people graduated with first-class honours and half of that number were from my study group, myself included.

    After my undergraduate studies, I was selected to do my national service as a Teaching Assistant at All Nations University College, affiliated to KNUST. This period was more or less like an academic adventure for me, as I discovered several other areas of mathematics. I was not in my comfort zone, but I embraced the challenges and discharged my duties to the admiration of both students and staff.

    Q: How would you describe your time at AIMS?

    Edward: I got to know about AIMS from the Association of Mathematics Students’ (AMS-KNUST) magazine. A story of an alumna of the department who had gained a scholarship for her Master’s at AIMS in South Africa (the only centre then) was featured. After reading it, I decided to apply to AIMS. Then in my final year, we learned that AIMS would be opening its third centre in Ghana. I applied, and AIMS Ghana selected me.

    My time at AIMS Ghana was full of memories and fun-packed. There were perfect moments, unpleasant moments, and also sad moments. It was my first time meeting fellow students from countries like Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, and Zambia. And we were all living under the same roof bound by the cord of mathematics.

    The end-of-block parties, dubbed African Night, stand out as one of the best moments at AIMS, where we forget about all the stress and pressure of the three weeks and put on our dancing shoes, stepped onto the dance floor to shake them off. My first time dancing publicly was at AIMS, and I think my moves were not that bad!

    Another moment that I will never forget was the moment I sadly lost my adopted mother during the Christmas break. The support I received from students and staff during this time was unprecedented. AIMS allowed my classmates to travel from Biriwa in Cape Coast to Koforidua (a round trip of 8 hours) to support me on the day of the burial and funeral rites. I felt a strong sense of belonging to a more prominent family that day, and I appreciated that act of kindness.

    Q: Tell us about the impact AIMS has had on you.

    Edward: I wouldn’t have survived my time in Europe if I had not been to AIMS. Skills such as programming, communication, presentation, and academic honesty came in handy. My training at AIMS prepared me to be independent in my thinking and appreciate different views and opinions.

    Programming skills in python and sagemath developed at AIMS came to my rescue. At the University of Warwick, we were given a two-day crash course in C++ and another two-day in MATLAB. We were then directed to use those two and any other programming languages of our choice for our works. My exposure to python at AIMS made it easy for me to choose it as my ultimate programming language.

    My communication skills in English improved tremendously, thanks to the English Language course at AIMS Ghana. For example, I received positive feedback from examiners of my Research Project at the University of Warwick, highlighting that my project work was written and presented with enough citations and references. Eventually, I got a distinction in that project.

    My supervisor at the Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden decided to work with me on my Master’s thesis because I sent him an excellent email. He was also impressed with my write-up on the first assigned task and the fact that my write-up passed all the plagiarism checks to his satisfaction.

    Q: What would you describe as your post-AIMS success story?

    Edward: The atmosphere at AIMS, where students dine and chat with renowned professors and academics from across the globe, provided me with the opportunity to discuss my plans with Professor Mark Roberts, who taught us Differential Equations. He then directed me to look at the Erasmus Mundus program in Complex Systems Science coordinated by his former University, the University of Warwick, and three other Universities in Europe. I eventually applied, with a recommendation from him and one other UK professor. I got accepted to study at the University of Warwick in the UK and Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. We were only seven in my cohort, and I was the only African. I am currently a PhD student at the University of Ghana and working from the AIMS Ghana Research Centre.

    Q: Which of the SDGs is most important/relevant to you? How do you plan on addressing it in your work?

    Edward: SDG 4 — “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”. To achieve this goal in mathematics education, we need to break the myth surrounding mathematics and how the subject has been taught over the decades on the continent. There is a saying that “actions speak louder than words”. I want to rephrase this as — pictures speak louder than symbols. One way of demystifying mathematical concepts and breaking them down is through the use of images and simulations. In my current work, I try as much as possible to include some simulation results to make my research work accessible to industry players.

    Q: What is your message to current AIMS students and young people across the continent?

    Edward: Don’t be afraid to go outside your comfort zone, for you may not know where your true interest lies. Use your time at AIMS to explore other related fields of mathematics and take every opportunity that comes your way with a sense of seriousness. Make it a point to leave AIMS a better person than you came in.

  • #AlumoftheWeek — Daniel Amankwah, AIMS Senegal’14

    #AlumoftheWeek — Daniel Amankwah, AIMS Senegal’14

    In this week’s edition of #AlumoftheWeek, Daniel Amankwah, a PhD student at the University of Iceland and AIMS Senegal 2014 alumnus, walks us through his post-AIMS journey.

    Q: Tell us about your academic journey before AIMS.

    Daniel: I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics at the University of Ghana (UG), subsequently serving as a teaching assistant at the university’s Mathematics Department. These undergraduate and postgraduate experiences occurred over the space of five years, until 2013.

    Q: How would you describe your time at AIMS?

    Daniel: It was exciting to be part of the third cohort at AIMS Senegal, considering I was one of two Ghanaians enrolled at the Centre. The popular quote then was “cinquante est égal à un” (fifty equals one). The highly multicultural nature of the group comprising students from 20 different African countries was fascinating. The high-quality lectures from top Professors were the best I could get. I got to create networks that are beneficial to me to this date.

    Q: Tell us about the impact AIMS has had on you.

    Daniel: AIMS introduced me to computer programming from scratch, for which I am highly grateful. The academic structure at AIMS enhanced my ability to multitask and work to meet deadlines. The thesis period was the most crucial part of my study period. It seemed surreal to have worked under the supervision of the renowned Professor Louis Kauffman, but AIMS made this possible.

    Q: What would you describe as your success story after AIMS?

    Daniel: There have been countless success stories for me after AIMS. I have had the opportunity to study and work in many countries, including Germany, France, and Iceland. I have also had the chance to give back to my country by working as a lecturer at the University of Ghana for two years.

    Q: Which of the SDGs is most important/relevant to you? How do you plan on addressing it in your work?

    Daniel: I am more inclined to “Quality Education”. However, I consider the others as equally important. Children from a large part of our continent are deprived of basic education, which is an issue. Making quality education more accessible to as many people as possible will produce problem solvers and innovators. As an academic, I am committed to giving back knowledge to young people who rely on mentorship.

    Q: What is your message to current AIMS students and young people across the continent?

    Daniel: It is very tempting for students to decide to pass through course by course without a proper grasp of concepts considering the fast nature of the program. My advice to students would be to make a conscious effort to learn a tangible skill in the span of the program. After all, in the end, it is not the certificate that sustains you; it is the acquired skills.

  • #AlumoftheWeek — Mor Absa Loum, AIMS Senegal’13

    #AlumoftheWeek — Mor Absa Loum, AIMS Senegal’13

    On this week’s #AlumoftheWeek, we are featuring Mor Absa Loum of the 2013 cohort of AIMS Senegal who is a Lecturer and a Researcher at the Iba Der Thiam University in Thiès.

    Q: Tell us a little about yourself before coming to AIMS.

    Loum: Before AIMS, I had obtained a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science at Gaston Berger University in Senegal. I heard about AIMS during my undergraduate days. One of our professors had strongly recommended that we apply for the AIMS Master’s, and I was humbly waiting for my day to get admitted.

    Q: How would you describe your experience at AIMS?

    Loum: At AIMS, I learned to conduct research and popularize the results through contact with many professors; this reinforced the skills I acquired at Gaston Berger University. In addition, I started to take a liking to research when I began working with Professor Damien Simon (Sorbonne University) during my Master’s thesis. I am very grateful and thank him for all his support and foresight. He introduced me to research and has accompanied and supported me since we met at AIMS.

    Q: Tell us about the impact AIMS has had on you.

    Loum: AIMS enabled me to grow from a student with theoretical and applied maths skills to an excellent researcher contributing to the continent’s development through scientific research. I had good training at Gaston Berger University, but at AIMS, I learned to use my math and computer skills to answer real-life problems.

    Q: Which of the SDGs is most important/relevant to you? How do you plan on addressing it in your work?

    Loum: Good Health and Wellbeing. As you may be aware, there are many public health problems in Africa that we must provide answers to from the epidemiology point of view. These epidemiological approaches do provide massive support and insights to the doctors. Thus, since my Master’s degree in Paris, I have been working on data to provide solutions in the epidemiology of arboviruses and the genetics of mental health.

    Q: What would you describe as your post-AIMS success story?

    Loum: My graduation with a Distinction at AIMS allowed me to get one of Orsay’s most prestigious Master’s scholarships (the first mathematics laboratory in Shanghai ranking). I enrolled in the Master II program in Fundamental and Applied Mathematics (probability and statistics). After graduating from the Master’s program, I obtained a PhD research fellowship in Statistics from Paris-Saclay University, co-supervised by Professors Elisabeth Gassiat and Aliou Diop (Gaston Berger University). After my PhD, I had a two-year contract as a postdoctoral researcher at the Dr Jacquemont Laboratory in Sainte-Justine Hospital (Montreal University). Since January 2021, I have been serving at the Iba Der Thiam University in Thiès as a lecturer and a researcher.

    Q: What is your message to current AIMS students and young people across the continent?

    Loum: Work hard and make the most of AIMS’ work environment with internationally renowned lecturers. Africa needs its sons to move forward, and that requires good training.

  • #AlumoftheWeek -Prince Romeo Mensah, AIMS Ghana’ 13

    #AlumoftheWeek -Prince Romeo Mensah, AIMS Ghana’ 13

    And our #AlumoftheWeek is Prince Romeo Mensah! An AIMS Ghana’ 2013 alumnus, Romeo is currently a Research Associate and Postdoc Fellow at Imperial College, London.

    Q: Tell us a little about yourself.

    Romeo: Before AIMS, I spent six years at the University of Ghana. I majored in mathematics for four years, graduating as the best mathematics student of my year. I then did my one-year national service as a teaching assistant at the Mathematics Department and was retained for another year before joining AIMS Ghana in 2012.

    Q: How would you describe your experience at AIMS?

    Romeo: Being part of the first cohort of AIMS Ghana students meant that I spent the first half of my time at AIMS in Accra/Tema and the second half in Biriwa, some 140kms away. I especially enjoyed the Friday evening strolls in Accra and the odd beer to unwind after a hectic week of AIMS work. In Biriwa, we also had a fine beach by the sea, which, unfortunately, I never swam in. However, my main highlight at AIMS was experiencing Africa through the eyes of the many nationals who made up the cohort. Embarrassingly, I still haven’t visited any other African country but the one of my birth, Ghana. Having met these many different yet similar personalities while at AIMS makes this embarrassment slightly bearable!

    Q: Tell us about the impact AIMS has had on you.

    Romeo: The Latex and programming skills I developed at AIMS have particularly been beneficial in my career journey post AIMS. For example, the theses of the research degree I did right after AIMS had a numerical component that I would have been unable to complete without the skills developed at AIMS. Also, although accurate report and article writing skills are a crucial part of the life of a researcher, I have not quite come across the opportunity tolearn these skills explicitly, except for AIMS. It has therefore been of immense help to have already gained these skills at AIMS.

    Q: Which of the SDGs is most important/relevant to you? How do you plan on addressing it in your work?

    Romeo: SDG 4 (Quality education) is most important to me. I am fortunate enough to be a product of quality education and some exceptional academic mentoring. However, quality evolves, and we can continuously improve and expand access to quality education. Therefore, my main goal is to help accelerate the achievement of quality education that is relevant to the African continent. In this regard, I have found it essential to build my capacity and learn the best practices towards achieving and disseminating quality education.

    Q: What would you describe as your post-AIMS success story?

    Romeo: I have had the opportunity to study and work in different countries since AIMS. As a result, I have gained varied experiences in academic cultures across these countries. Since I see myself staying in academia and aim to help offer quality education to more African youths, I consider these experiences my main success story because they will make me a better academic going forward.

    Q: What is your message to current AIMS students and young people across the continent?

    Romeo: Be proactive and stay informed on issues relating to your interests and ambitions. Make good use of the internet and take advantage of the many opportunities that come your way at AIMS and elsewhere. Good opportunities rarely repeat themselves so once you feel strongly about pursuing an opportunity, go for it! Finally, see the value in yourself and manifest it in whatever you do rather than seeking to please and receive validations from individuals.

  • #AlumoftheWeek — Rehema Kwamboka Ouko, AIMS Cameroon’20

    #AlumoftheWeek — Rehema Kwamboka Ouko, AIMS Cameroon’20

    And our #AlumOfTheWeek is Rehema Kwamboka Ouko, AIMS Cameroon alumna, who is currently pursuing further studies in Biostatistics at Hasselt University, Belgium. We caught up with her for the gist of her scientific journey.

    Q: Tell us a little about yourself before coming to AIMS.

    Rehema: My passion for understanding how data and numbers, in general, can be used for insightful decision making propelled my application to study applied statistics with computing at the Maasai Mara University, Narok, Kenya, where I graduated in 2016. After graduating, I had the opportunity to work temporarily with some organisations in Kenya. These included the Busara Centre, Innovations for Poverty Action, Dalberg Research, and Geopoll. I gained some productive working experience in these industries and developed a great urge to enhance my leadership skills. Thereafter, I secured a postgraduate scholarship to study for a Master’s in Public Administration at Peking University China, from which I graduated in July 2019.

    Q: How would you describe your experience at AIMS?

    Rehema: At Dalberg Research, I had a supervisor by the name of Mr Steve Bicko Cygu. He was an AIMS South Africa Alumnus. His way of working was unique, and he always stood out. His work style made me yearn for the AIMS model, and that was how I found myself at AIMS Cameroon in September 2019. I found the AIMS learning environment unique as compared to the standard university setup. The collaboration between students, tutors and lecturers made life smooth for me. It was nice to experience a 24-hour learning environment. I recall my fellow students creating a joke on the AIMS initial as African Institute for Minimum Sleep as there was a lot to learn.

    Q: Tell us about the impact AIMS has had on you.

    Rehema: My journey at AIMS Cameroon exposed me to intense knowledge on core areas applicable to many real-life challenges. I realised that many of such issues could be tackled by applying mathematical and statistical modelling, programming, and many others. AIMS equipped me with academic knowledge and essential skills such as CV and motivation letter writing, presentation and communication skills, networking, and the essence of giving back to society.

    Q: Which of the SDGs is most important/relevant to you? How do you plan on addressing it in your work?

    Rehema: “Good Health and Well-Being” is the most important for me because health is wealth. I aspire to apply my expertise in biostatistics, data science and mathematics to strategically solve problems in the medical industry using the available data.

    Q: What would you describe as your post-AIMS success story?

    Rehema: Immediately after AIMS, I was offered an opportunity with the VLIRUOS scholarship to pursue an MSc in Statistics and Data Science with a specialisation in Biostatistics at Hasselt. The Latex and R programming knowledge learnt at AIMS makes my life easier to deal with my project assignment. It also gives me the confidence to share my knowledge with other colleagues.

    Q: What is your message to current AIMS students and young people across the continent?

    Rehema: Collaborating and making the most out of AIMS is the best thing. AIMS believed in you by selecting you and so believe in yourself that you are capable. Work smart and know that there are a lot of opportunities after AIMS waiting for you!

  • #AlumoftheWeek — Dr Angela Tabiri, AIMS Ghana’14

    #AlumoftheWeek — Dr Angela Tabiri, AIMS Ghana’14

    In this week’s edition of our #AlumoftheWeek series, we dive into the post-AIMS journey of alumna extraordinaire Angela Tabiri. Founder of Femafricmaths, an NGO which promotes female African mathematicians, Dr. Angela Tabiri graduated from AIMS Ghana in 2014.

    Q: Tell us about your academic life before AIMS.

    Angela: My undergraduate degree was in mathematics and economics. I found mathematics challenging but found joy in preserving it until I was able to solve problems. Though I loved mathematics as an undergraduate student, I was not sure whether to pursue a career in mathematics or not. Therefore, I chose to study at AIMS Ghana to be exposed to diverse mathematics fields to decide whether I could pursue further studies in mathematics.

    Q: How would you describe your time at AIMS?

    Angela: I chose to study at AIMS because of the dynamic learning experience and environment. Lecturers were experts in their fields who taught lessons using different learning methods. I was able to ask questions outside class hours because the lecturers were accessible and onsite 24 hours; this was different from my undergraduate experience where students had to book appointments to meet lecturers during their office hours. In addition, the AIMS centre was far from home and the city, which provided a serene environment for studying.

    I enjoyed long walks along Biriwa beach to Anomabo with my colleagues on Sundays. We would sometimes swim and relax at Anomabo with coconut freshly plucked from the tree.The highlight of my stay at AIMS was when I realized that I loved abstract algebra and decided to pursue further studies in it.

    Q: Tell us about the impact AIMS has had on you.

    Angela: At AIMS, my knowledge and skills in mathematics improved immensely, giving me an excellent foundation to enrol in a PhD program.Before AIMS, I had no training in programming, but after the skills phase, I learnt to code in Python. Communication was key in the training at AIMS. We had training in presenting assignments typed in Latex with clear mathematical arguments, presenting on topics using Beamer slides and confidently communicating verbally. In my current job, I engage in science communication to demystify the research outputs so the general public can understand.

    Teamwork and collaborations are critical during training at AIMS. Students are given group assignments to enable them to collaborate to solve problems. This is an important skill I learnt at AIMS which I find helpful as a postdoc and is relevant to my current research projects with collaborators.

    Q: Which of the SDGs is most important/relevant to you? How do you plan on addressing it in your work?

    Angela: The SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality) are most important.I am the lead for the Girls in Mathematical Sciences Program (GMSP) at AIMS Ghana. The goal of the GMSP is to nurture the talents of secondary school girls from Ghana to unlock their potential in the mathematical sciences. In ten years, the GMSP alumni will be leading scientific research and innovation in Africa and winning international medals in their respective fields in the mathematical sciences. The program’s first cohort is made up of 35 students, and they were enrolled in November 2020. Through online masterclasses, mini-courses, industrial visits and mentoring, GMSP students benefit from quality education which will improve the representation of women and girls in STEM fields.

    Also, I am the founder of Femafricmaths, an NGO which promotes female African mathematicians. Our mission is to inspire young people about the diverse career options available when they study mathematics. Our vision is to see girls being confident to take up careers in mathematics-related fields. “Y3p3math”, literally translated as “We like Maths”, is one of our projects at Femafricmaths that provides one-on-one support services in mathematics to students in junior high schools. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we met students physically on Sunday afternoons for this project. Though physical contact is on hold because of the pandemic, we have recorded lessons online on the Femafricmaths YouTube and Facebook pages.

    We also interview female African mathematicians about their journeys so girls across Africa will be inspired by diverse career options when they study mathematics. Interview videos are available on the Femafricmaths pages on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

    Q: What would you describe as your post-AIMS success story?

    Angela: At AIMS Ghana, I met my Master’s thesis supervisor, Ulrich Kraehmer, who became my PhD supervisor. In June 2019, when I graduated with a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Glasgow, it was an honour for my PhD supervisor and me. Ulrich was proud to see his AIMS student graduate with a PhD in mathematics and return to her home country to support the teaching and learning of mathematics. I am now a postdoc at AIMS Ghana, teaching in different programs and leading the Girls in Mathematical Sciences Program.

    In the next few years, I hope to increase my research output and collaborate more with researchers in Africa and beyond. In addition, my current outreach activities at Femafricmaths should see more girls in Africa being confident to pursue careers in mathematics-related fields.

    Q: What is your message to current AIMS students and young people across the continent?

    Angela: Dream beyond your surroundings. Believe in your dream and find mentors who believe in this dream. These mentors will nurture and support you. Then, take action to transform your dreams into reality.

  • #AlumoftheWeek — Jean Pierre Twagirayezu, AIMS Rwanda’18

    #AlumoftheWeek — Jean Pierre Twagirayezu, AIMS Rwanda’18

    Rwandan-born Jean Pierre Twagirayezu is a PhD student at Michigan State University, where his research focuses on experimental astroparticle physics, spanning through data analysis and software development for scientific applications. Here’s what the AIMS Rwanda’18 alumnus had to say in this week’s edition of our #AlumoftheWeek series.

    Q: Tell us about yourself.

    Jean: In 2015, I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Rwanda College of Education, majoring in Physics, with Mathematics as my minor. I subsequently served as a high school Physics and Mathematics teacher until 2017, when I joined AIMS. As a teacher in the high school, I met an AIMS alumnus who urged me to consider applying to AIMS due to opportunities there and its international reputation.

    Q: How would you describe your time at AIMS?

    Jean: AIMS has a unique setting and accessible 24/7 learning environment. I received my basic needs, and all I needed to do was to focus on my studies. I can’t forget the 11:59 pm deadlines. I recall when we were first introduced to Latex and had to complete assignments with it. Sometimes bugs showed up at the last minutes, and you had to fit it at all cost. It was an exciting experience. I can’t thank my classmates, tutors, lecturers, professors, and other staff enough for being there for us.

    Q: Tell us about the impact AIMS has had on you.

    Jean: The skillset gained at AIMS was vital for me to move ahead in my career. My interest area is experimental astroparticle physics, specifically astrophysical neutrino research, methods of data analysis, and software development for scientific applications. The scientific computing and software development courses I took at AIMS come in handy daily as I go about my research work. The truth is that most of these courses were very new to me on arrival at AIMS. In addition to advanced math and physics skills, I also developed problem-solving skills.

    Q: What would you describe as your post-AIMS success story?

    Jean: AIMS opens doors. While at AIMS, I got admitted to Graduate School at Michigan State University, in the Physics and Astronomy Department. I work with the Michigan State University IceCube Research Group and the IceCube Neutrino Observatory Collaboration in general.

    Doing research in experimental astroparticle physics and getting the chance to work with top researchers in the field helps me gain more skills in computing, data-driven problem solving, scientific software development, problem-solving in general, and other relevant soft skills essential to success in top research institutions. So, better to come.

    Q: Which of the SDGs is most important/relevant to you? How do you plan on addressing it in your work?

    Jean: Quality Education is the most important driving force for sustainable development. AIMS has had a remarkable impact and is shaping the way education is being delivered across the continent by emphasizing partnership with private and public institutions locally and internationally. AIMS has set an example, and I believe other academic institutions have already started doing the same. The remaining ones should follow or even do better to change the story.

    Having access to quality education is also a key to addressing other SDGs. I am planning to provide teaching/mentorship to students, especially those from vulnerable communities.

    Q: What is your message to current AIMS students and young people across the continent?

    Jean: Work at your best ability, collaborate and get the most out of it. There are more opportunities to come after AIMS. Believe that you can do whatever even you think you can’t. Most of all, follow your dreams and do what is needed! Always remember that AIMS opens doors.

  • #AlumoftheWeek — Nana Adjoah Mbroh, AIMS South Africa’15

    #AlumoftheWeek — Nana Adjoah Mbroh, AIMS South Africa’15

    This week, we journey into Nana Ajoah’s experiences to glimpse into her life after graduating from AIMS South Africa in 2015.

    Q: Tell us about your academic life before AIMS.

    Nana Adjoah: I enrolled at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, in 2008 for a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, which I completed in 2012. I remember what one of my lecturers used to say to me. I quote, “Your work appears to be very good, but you are not serious”. That was me before I joined AIMS South Africa. I was not ready to learn anything outside the modules I took during my undergraduate days. Once I was done with my tests and quizzes, I didn’t see the essence of even revising my notes. My attitude towards studies was nothing to write home about. One of my professors introduced me to AIMS, and lo and behold, I got admitted to AIMS South Africa in 2014.

    Q: Tell us about your time at AIMS and how the AIMS model has impacted you.

    Nana Adjoah: I am not sure why I decided to join AIMS, but it turned out to be one of the greatest decisions I have ever made in my life, although my first few months at AIMS were tough. I still had that carefree mindset and attitude from my undergraduate school days.

    With the motivation I had from the tutors, especially Dr. Martha Kamkuemah and my classmates, I sailed through successfully. My ten months stay at AIMS made me a better version of myself. I learned to be an excellent researcher and how to live and relate with various people from different backgrounds and cultures. This, I consider as something one cannot easily get from the typical university setting.

    AIMS equipped me with the necessary skills like presentation, programming, and a resilient attitude towards research. These have improved my performance in my area of study.

    Q: What would you describe as your post-AIMS success story?

    Nana Adjoah: I would say obtaining my first MSc in Mathematical Sciences through AIMS is a success on its own. Also, with the partial bursary support I received from AIMS, I got another MSc from the University of the Western Cape in 2017. Later in June 2018, I registered at the North-West University for a PhD in Applied Mathematics. Guess what! I had my PhD graduation last Friday, 28th of May 2021. I owe it all to AIMS!

    Q: Which of the SDGs is most important/relevant to you? How do you plan on addressing it in your work?

    Nana Adjoah: Quality education it is. Having had a feel of that from AIMS, I try not to be just a maths lecturer to my students but also a mentor. My course comes with a blend of simple skills, theoretical and practical work to equip the younger ones I am training with the necessary tools to help them make it out there.

    Q: What is your message to current AIMS students and young people across the continent?

    Nana Adjoah: AIMS has given you the opportunity of a lifetime, so don’t blow it. Make excellent use of that opportunity because having passed through AIMS, there is nothing you cannot do under this sun with determination. Just believe that you are capable.