funding
12 September 2006
The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) is to be funded to
the tune of R3 million in the current year by the Department of Education, the
Minister of Education announced today in a commencement address in
Muizenberg.
AIMS is a unique partnership between the three universities in the Western
Cape - University of Cape Town (UCT), Stellenbosch and University of Western
Cape (UWC) - and three European universities (Cambridge, Oxford and
Paris-Sud-XI).
âWe believe that where programmes are highly regarded, where students
demonstrate commitment and show potential, ways must be found to support themâ
Minister Pandor said.
Since opening in September 2003, AIMS has rapidly gained international
recognition as a centre of excellence preparing students for research and
teaching careers in the quantitative sciences.
AIMS recruit students from all over Africa for an intensive nine-month
course taught by outstanding international lecturers, building research skills
through exposure to cutting-edge topics. AIMS graduates proceed to advanced
programmes in a wide range of scientific fields, and to careers in education,
industry or government. They form a powerful network working together for
African development.
The AIMS course is internationally recognised as a model for postgraduate
training and AIMS graduates have been highly successful in securing excellent
teaching and research positions, all but a few in Africa. Many return to
faculty positions in their home countries.
AIMS received well over 200 applications for the September 2006 intake. The
50 students accepted, of whom 15 are women, come from 20 African countries.
Many of the students are already engaged in teaching, and would like to
continue in educational careers. Many women students have done exceptionally
well at AIMS. In the safe and supportive 24-hour learning environment provided
at AIMS, away from their normal family cares and duties, they are able to
thrive.
For example, Tendai Mugwagwa, a young Zimbabwean from Bindura, both of whose
parents were primary school teachers, entered AIMS in 2003. Tendai completed
her Masters in 2005 under the supervision of a UCT academic and was then
accepted to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme in one of the top groups in
the world, in the Netherlands.
This year Daphne Singo, a student from a humble background in Limpopo
province (both parents unemployed), is on the course. She is now preparing her
essay which will form the basis for a Masters in Nuclear Physics, after which
she has every chance of proceeding to a top South Africa research programme
such as the pebble bed reactor scheme.
Professor Neil Turok, Chair of the Council of the African Institute, said
that the alumni record of AIMS is remarkable.
âI know of no other comparable institution with this sort of success rateâ,
he said. âTo put it into context, when AIMS opened Sudanâs top university had
just 14 PhDs on their Science Faculty, teaching nearly 20 000 students. AIMS
hopes to double that number within six or seven years. We have an average of
about five students per year from Sudan. Likewise, the maths department at Dar
es Salaam has 11 faculty and 11 vacancies - they are very short staffed.â
Enquiries:
Lunga Ngqengelele
Tel: (012) 312 5538
Cell: 082 566 0446
E-mail: ngqengelele.l@doe.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Education
12 September 2006
