AIMS South Africa Newsletter May 2026

[African Institute for Mathematical Sciences]

AIMS South Africa Recognised at the Western Cape Economy Innovation Awards 2026    AIMS South Africa is proud to have been honoured at the Western Cape Economy Innovation Awards 2026, in the Workforce and Human Capital category.      The recognition highlights AIMS South Africa’s contribution to skills development, education, partnerships and innovation in the Western Cape. It reflects the impact of the organisation’s collaborative education model, its strong national and international networks, and its work in developing high-level mathematical, scientific and AI skills.      As part of the awards process, a video was produced to showcase AIMS South Africa’s work, partnerships and contribution to developing talent in the Western Cape.       This recognition belongs to the whole AIMS South Africa community: students, alumni, lecturers, researchers, staff, partners and supporters. It reflects the dedication, talent and shared commitment that continue to shape AIMS South Africa’s work and impact.    Read more       Prof. Neil Turok Elected Fellow of the Royal Society          Prof. Neil Turok, founder of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) and Chair of the AIMS International Governing Board, has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), one of the world’s most prestigious scientific honours.    The Royal Society, the United Kingdom’s national academy of sciences, announced      its 2026 cohort of Fellows, recognising more than 90 outstanding researchers from around the world for their exceptional contributions to science and humanity. Professor Turok was elected in recognition of his groundbreaking work in theoretical physics and his transformative contribution to advancing science and mathematics education globally.    Beyond his scientific achievements, Professor Turok is widely celebrated for founding AIMS in Cape Town in 2003. What began as a bold vision to nurture Africa’s scientific talent has since grown into Africa’s leading network for postgraduate training and research in the mathematical sciences.    Read more       Africa Science Week 2026: Inspiring Curiosity, Dialogue and Discovery       AIMS South Africa’s alumni-led Africa Science Week 2026 programme brought together learners, students, researchers and scientists for a series of engagements focused on science, innovation and Africa’s sustainable future.    The programme launched with an interactive STEM engagement at Marobathota High School in Limpopo, organised by AIMS alumni Clinton Garayi and Maria Ramaoka.     It then continued in the Western Cape with a discussion day at AIMS South Africa in Muizenberg, featuring a keynote address by Prof Loyiso Nongxa, panel discussions, and a town hall-style forum exploring the role of science in Africa — from who it serves to where it is headed.    The programme also visited Wallacedene Secondary School in Kraaifontein, where Grade 10, 11 and 12 learners took part in hands-on STEM activities, a mini Science Quiz Bee, and an introduction to the mathematics of the Rubik’s Cube.    These activities were made possible through the partnership between AIMS and the Mastercard Foundation.          Mathematics and Research Inspiration at AIMS          On 12 May 2026, AIMS South Africa hosted two seminars on campus, bringing together specialised mathematics and research-career inspiration.         Visiting researcher Dr Abhiram Natarajan from the University of Warwick presented a mathematics seminar on “Gröbner Bases Native to Term-ordered Commutative Algebras.”         Later in the afternoon, AIMS joined a live-streamed SAMS Women in Mathematics event hosted by Dr Cerene Rathilal from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and featuring Prof Dephne Mathebula from the University of Fort Hare, who shared advice on building a strong research profile.         Together, the sessions reflected the range of intellectual life at AIMS, from advanced mathematical research to mentorship and community-building in the mathematical sciences.       AIMS-SU-UW Research Collaboration       In May, Prof Karin-Therese Howell and Dr Jacques Rabie from AT AIMS and Prof. Zurab Janelidze from Stellenbosch University hosted two researchers from the University of Warwick, Prof. Martin Lotz and Dr Abhiram Natarajan, for a week-long research visit.     As part of the visit, Prof. Lotz, Dr Natarajan, Dr Rabie, and Prof. Janelidze gave seminar talks at an Algebraic Geometry Masterclass at Stellenbosch University, which ran in parallel to the research visit. Additionally, Dr Natarajan gave a research seminar at AIMS, titled Gröbner Bases Native to Term-ordered Commutative Algebras, With Application to the Hodge Algebra of Minors.       Machine Learning for Ecology Research Group Updates       Dr Lorène Jeantet, as part of this group, has published a new article in PeerJ.    The literature review traces the evolution of machine learning methods used to automatically identify wildlife behaviours from accelerometer data. Drawing on      125 studies, the article highlights major methodological trends, including the growing role of deep learning, and offers a practical framework to guide future research in the field.      Read the article here: https://peerj.com/articles/21069/    AIMS South Africa Congratulates Prof Loyiso Nongxa       AIMS South Africa warmly congratulates Prof. Loyiso Nongxa on being awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Johannesburg on 29 May.      Prof. Nongxa, a member of the AIMS Trust, is widely recognised as a pioneering mathematician, higher education leader and champion of transformation. His work has made a lasting contribution to mathematics, academic leadership and the advancement of higher education across South Africa and the continent.  This honour is a fitting recognition of his distinguished career and enduring impact.           AIMS South Africa is proud to celebrate this achievement with Prof. Nongxa and to recognise his continued contribution to the broader AIMS community.    AI Research Huddle Explores Interpretability and Quantum       The AI Research Huddle continued with two engaging sessions exploring how artificial intelligence can be used, understood and questioned.     In Episode 7, Mohammed Nagi focused on mechanistic interpretability, asking whether AI systems truly “understand” or whether they are simply following patterns learned from data. The huddle invited participants to look inside the black box of AI and think more deeply about how models arrive at their predictions.     In Episode 8, Rado Fitiavana introduced participants to how AI can learn to design and optimise quantum circuits using graph representations and reinforcement learning. The session explored the intersection of AI and quantum computing, and how machine learning may help address some of the hardest design challenges in next-generation computing.     Together, the sessions reflected the spirit of the AI Research Huddle: curious, accessible conversations about the ideas shaping the future of artificial intelligence.       Student Updates    The January intake students recently took part in two specialist courses led by visiting academics from the United Kingdom.     Prof. Dugald Macpherson from the University of Leeds taught a course on Model Theory, while Dr Philip Knight from the University of Strathclyde delivered a course on Networks.     On 6 May, students also attended an information session by Matthew Macauley on graduate school in North America. The session introduced important differences between graduate programmes in North America, Europe and Africa, and offered practical advice for applying to universities in the United States and Canada.     Together, these sessions gave students the opportunity to engage with advanced mathematical ideas, benefit from the expertise of international scholars, and reflect on future academic pathways beyond AIMS.    Dugald Macpherson    Philip Knight Talks at AIMS       May brought a rich series of talks to AIMS South Africa, with topics ranging from sea ice and topology to digital knowledge systems and quantum mechanics.     On 6 May, Prof Grae Worster presented “Sea Ice is a Mushy Layer,” exploring how sea ice forms as a porous matrix of pure ice crystals containing trapped salty brine, and why the escape of this brine matters for deep ocean currents and global ocean circulation. He also discussed how experimental and field studies of sea-ice formation inform mathematical models that can help predict brine fluxes in climate models.     On 8 May, Dr Cerene Rathilal gave a seminar titled “From Points to Shapes: Pointfree Topology Meets Topological Data Analysis.” The talk connected pointfree topology with topological data analysis, showing how abstract mathematical ideas can offer new ways of understanding data, uncertainty and shape. Dr Rathilal also highlighted opportunities for collaboration, student projects and future research engagement at AIMS.     On 15 May, Prof Farai Nyabadza presented “Innovation versus Risk: Understanding Digital Pathogens in Emerging Knowledge Ecosystems.” His seminar explored how rapidly expanding digital technologies have transformed the way knowledge is created, shared and consumed, while also giving rise to risks such as misinformation,     disinformation and harmful online amplification. He discussed how mathematical modelling can help us understand these “digital pathogens” and support responses through fact-checking, digital literacy and policy interventions.        On 29 May, Zayd Pandit led a two-part campus talk titled “Two Experiments That Changed Our Understanding of Reality.” Open to everyone at AIMS, the session explored two big questions in quantum mechanics: What is light? and What is spin? With humour, history and accessible explanations, the talk invited participants to look beyond the intimidating reputation of quantum mechanics and engage with the strange ideas that have reshaped modern physics.       Strengthening Mathematics Teaching Through Professional Learning Communities          AIMSSEC continues to strengthen its partnership with the Metro South Education District through the leadership and support of Ronald Engelbrecht. As part of this collaboration, mathematics teachers from schools across the district meet twice each term at the Cape Teaching and Leadership Institute (CTLI) in Kuils River for professional development sessions aimed at enhancing mathematics teaching and learning.     Following each CTLI session, AIMSSEC facilitates Professional Learning     Community (PLC) engagements with the same group of teachers. These sessions provide valuable opportunities for teachers to reflect on what they have learned, discuss how they have implemented new ideas in their classrooms, and engage in collaborative conversations that deepen both their mathematical understanding and their teaching practice.       Read more       Community Innovation Through Computational Thinking       One of the most meaningful aspects of educational and community work is the unexpected partnerships that emerge through human connection. Recently, AIMS South Africa had the opportunity to engage with Just Grace, a community organisation based in Langa that supports women involved in small-scale entrepreneurial and creative work.     During the engagement, participants were introduced to the possibilities of designing digitally and translating ideas into stitched artefacts. As demonstrations unfolded, curiosity spread rapidly throughout the room. Participants began envisioning patterns, designs, and products that connected directly to their own lived experiences and entrepreneurial aspirations.    Read more       Exploring the Mathematics Behind Modern Soccer             Ever wondered where sports commentators get their knowledge from? How do they know which player is most likely to score, why a team dominates possession, or which young talent might become the next star of the game? Increasingly, the answers lie in mathematics, statistics, and data science.     On 20 May 2026, Grade 10 learners participating in an AIMSSEC project, in partnership with Laduma Analytics, enjoyed a thought-provoking and engaging session on the mathematics of soccer. The session introduced learners to the fascinating world of player  analytics, demonstrating how mathematics is used to calculate goal-scoring probabilities, analyse player performance, and support decision-making in modern football.     Learners explored how local and international talent is identified through player intelligence and data science. They gained insight into the sophisticated analytical tools used by professional clubs, scouts, coaches, and sports broadcasters to understand the game beyond what is visible on the field.    Read more    AIMS Alumni Engagement Visits in Zimbabwe and Zambia       From 15 to 17 May, AIMS alumni engagement visits took place in Zimbabwe and Zambia, bringing together graduates from across the AIMS network to share their academic and professional journeys.      Loveness Mahwire, Mathematics Education Lecturer from AIMSSEC, attended the engagement in Zimbabwe and connected with alumni whose work reflects the important contribution AIMS graduates continue to make in education and across their professional communities.     The engagements highlighted the strong connections among alumni and the many ways in which they are already supporting one another through mentorship, networking and shared opportunities. They also offered an     encouraging glimpse of the possibilities for building an even stronger, more connected AIMS alumni community across the region.    The visits also included fellow AIMS representatives from AIMS Rwanda, whose participation enriched the engagements and strengthened the spirit of collaboration across centres.      ANNOUNCEMENTS Applications are now open for the AIMS South Africa Master’s in Mathematical Sciences (2026/2027 intake)!    Take the next step with a fully funded, world-class programme in Cape Town, designed to build skills in mathematics, data science, and problem-solving for real-world impact.        Please note that this application cycle is open only to South African citizens, permanent residents, and refugees residing in South Africa.        🗓️ Deadline: 31 August 2026 ✨ Women are strongly encouraged to apply           Apply Now       Postdoctoral Fellowship in Computer Vision for Ecology    AIMS South Africa is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Computer Vision for Ecology, focused on African penguin behaviour from video.  Apply by: 15 August 2026 Start date: January 2027 Location: Muizenberg, Cape Town         Apply Now