As a result of the strong economic growth in many African countries, the continent has a growing demand for young professionals, particularly in mathematics, IT and engineering, in order to ensure rapid and stable economic, social and political development. Yet, only six per cent of post-secondary aged Africans are enrolled in apprenticeships, colleges or universities, compared to the global average of 26 per cent, and the European and North American average of 70 per cent. The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) is playing a major part in closing this gap. Led by its global head, Thierry Zomahoun, the AIMS Next Einstein Initiative is a model to provide talented young African scholars with cutting edge mathematical sciences research and training skills through the establishment of a network of 15 centers of excellence across Africa by 2023. Founded in 2003, AIMS has won international acclaim for its scientific model which builds independent thinking, problem-solving and widely applicable mathematical skills for its graduates while offering exposure to development fields of greatest relevance to Africa such as health, epidemiology, information technology, finance and banking and natural resource management. At Falling Walls, Zomahoun explains how AIMS-NEI can promote the transformation of Africa through cutting edge postgraduate skills training and research, resulting in technological progress and scientific discoveries which might benefit the whole of society.
Falling Walls
Falling Walls Science Summit 2021
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How capacity building in mathematics lays the foundation for scientific excellence in africa
Thierry Zomahoun
AIMS Next Einstein Initiative
Thierry is a global development leader and Executive Director of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences. He is leading a groundbreaking scientific initiative – the AIMS Next Einstein Initiative – designed to promote the transformation of Africa though cutting edge postgraduate training and research in mathematical sciences, technical advances and breakthrough discoveries which benefit the whole of society. Thierry has a wealth of experience and a remarkable and inspirational life story, from a challenging background as an abandoned kid to a leading social and education entrepreneur. From the dusty streets of rural Benin (West Africa) to senior executive leadership assignments, Thierry’s life journey gives him the unique perspective to frame his beliefs not on what Africa is today, but what Africa can be tomorrow. An MBA alumnus of McGill University, one of Canada’s top-ranking universities, Thierry has three Masters degrees and is currently a PhD candidate in Political Science at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
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