Denis Opudo
Recently, the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) and the African Development Bank signed a Letter of Intent for creating a good partnership opportunity. Consequently, the partnership will enhance research and education of mathematical sciences across Africa. The partnership will also avail opportunities to leverage resources. The resources will subsequently be used to advance innovation, technology and science skills in Africa.
According to AfDB’s Vice-President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development, Jennifer Blanke, Mathematics and Sciences play a vital role in innovation and human development. She also expressed her delight by saying that AIMS is working to provide solutions for African problems.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the AIMS say a possible outcome leading from the letter could be the establishment of an AfDB-AIMS Partnership Program to build expertise in mathematical sciences across Africa. The Partnership Program would be tasked with scaling up a strong, young African community of world-class scientists and technologists. AIMS has said it wants to be the MIT of Africa, referring to the famed Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States.
“As we talk about Africa’s transformation – this is such a passion that drives AIMS, this is what I personally believe in – that nothing is possible without the people,” said AIMS CEO and President, Thierry Zomahoun.
The Letter of Intent was signed on the sidelines of the African Development Bank’s Annual Meetings in Busan, Korea.
