African Institute for Mathematical Sciences

AIMS is a relatively young institute with significant achievements and an ambitious plan for the future.

AIMS was founded by cosmologist Neil Turok, son of South African MP Ben Turok, who lives in Muizenberg where the institute is now situated. Under the guidance of director Fritz Hahne the institute attracts bright students from Africa and lecturers internationally.

Already the 150 or so alumni trained over the last four years have rapidly built an excellent reputation for AIMS. They are forming a pan-African community of scientists, along with the researchers and system administrators who visit AIMS for short courses and workshops. The converted hotel now consists of safe accommodation, computer facilities bundled with Free Software for science, lecture rooms, and blackboards everywhere. Visitors work late into each night to make the utmost of their time in the institute.

There is an overwhelming call for places at AIMS, either as students or lecturers, but a massive increase in numbers would destroy the intensive, interactive academic spirit that is fostered here. Rather AIMS will expand into related research groups and projects, but the institute itself will also form the model for 15 similar regional institutes across the continent, in a collaborative effort called AMI-Net.

This network could train the next generation of scientists for all the NEPAD Science and Technology programmes, and create the innovative advisors to policy makers on the continent, that will ultimately realise the African Renaissance.