AIMS Ghana launches project to groom world-class scientists

The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) has reiterated its commitment to training scientists to drive Africa's scientific, educational and economic self-sufficiency to engender development.

The Institute has, thus, launched a project christened, “the Next Einstein Initiative”, intended to promote teaching, research and outreach services in Mathematical Sciences across Africa.

Dr. Prince Koree Osei, the Interim President of AIMS Ghana, made this known at the seventh graduation ceremony of AIMS Ghana in Accra where 42 students from 16 African countries, comprising 14 females and 28 males graduated.

There were 20 Ghanaians who graduated with Master’s degrees in Mathematical Science, with three of them receiving Professor Allotey Meritorious Award for their tenacity of purpose.

Dr Koree Osei said AIMS Ghana had built and continue to build research capacity in areas of opportunity for Africa including Mathematics, Data Science, Cosmology, Astrophysics, Epidemiology, Finance and Bio-mathematics to help address industry capacity challenges.

AIMS Ghana has since its inception graduated 238 students from 23 African countries, 33 percent of them were females contributing to scientific teaching, research and industry development of the continent.

Dr Koree Osei stated that AIMS Ghana Research Centre under the leadership of Prof. Olivier Menoukeu Pamen had achieved great milestones in research through the series of workshops.

“The workshops covered topics in Stochastic Optimal Control and Applications (SOCA); Mathematics and its Applications (MiA); Stochastic and Application, Research and Training (START); and Analysis of Public Procurement Data for Corruption Risks (Red Flag)”, he said.

Dr. Heather Cameron, the Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, in her address, expressed satisfaction about the partnership between Canada and AIMS Ghana.

She was delighted about women enrolment in this drive, but called for increase in the numbers adding that, the world would be a better place with women breaking new grounds as their male counterparts.

She was optimistic that AIMS Ghana would make a lot of inroads into the frontiers of African development through science, saying that the way forward was research and training.

Mr. Richard Okyere, Director at the Ghana Insurance College, encouraged the graduands to put to good use the knowledge and skills acquired at AIMS.

“In advancing your career, do not expect things to be simple, because hard times may come and when such times come do your best to think outside the box, a secret to excellence and great achievement in life’, he advised.

In his Valedictory address, Mr Hezekiah Seun Adewindi, urged his colleagues to be guided by the vital principles of discipline, hard work, integrity, time management, teamwork, leadership skills and perseverance imbibe in them at AIMS.

He admonished his colleagues not to be discouraged by the obstacles they might face in life, but should remained focused and never give up on their dreams.

“Failure and success are predictable. Never fear failure, pursue success and be a blessing to humanity. We are capable of being world changers, entrepreneurs, job creators among others”, he said.

Ms Sarah Osei, the External Relations Manager of AIMS Ghana, said plans were afoot to relocate the Institute from its current place at Biriwa in the Central Region to Summerhill Estates, Santoe, Accra for the next academic year.

She said the Institute would soon start African Masters in Machine Intelligence programme in addition to the Masters in Science in Mathematical Sciences.