| | AIMS and UNIZULU Students Build Skills
in Science Communication |
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| | | | From 2 to 4 June 2025, eleven Honours students from the University of Zululand (UNIZULU) Department of Mathematical Sciences took part in Phase 2 of the Africa Scientifique programme – a three-day capacity-building workshop alongside AIMS South Africa students. The Africa Scientifique (AS): Leadership, Knowledge, and Skills for Science Communication programme is held annually in three phases by AIMS House of Science in partnership with African Gong. The programme aims to enhance Afrocentric leadership and communication skills among emerging scientists. |
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| | Following the Phase 1 Introductory Workshops – held in February 2025 for AIMS students and in May 2025 for UNIZULU students -Phase 2 provided |
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| participants with a deeper understanding of the strategic, global, and contextual dimensions of science communication. |
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| | The workshop offered an interactive and hands-on learning experience, providing students with practical tools to effectively communicate science, lead change, and engage meaningfully with African society. |
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| | It aimed to empower them to leverage these skills for leadership, career growth, and making an impact across academia, industry, and beyond, enhancing their employability. |
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| Windfall Foundation Grant |
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| | | | We are pleased to share that AIMS South Africa has received a R2.5m grant from the Windfall Foundation, recognising our growing impact in education and research. |
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| | Half of the funding is dedicated to AIMSSEC, supporting its ongoing work in Computational Thinking through the Turtlestitch programme, which introduces coding and mathematical creativity to school learners. The remaining half will support AIMS research, with a focus on AI and machine learning for education and ecology, including penguin conservation and pedagogical innovation. |
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| | This grant builds on earlier support from the Foundation and reflects strong endorsement of our mission. We thank the AIMSSEC team, our partners in local schools, and especially Jadga Huegle at SAP, whose passion has driven Turtlestitch’s success. |
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| | The Foundation noted: “We continue to be incredibly impressed with your work.” |
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| | This generous support marks an exciting chapter for AIMS as we deepen our contributions to education, research, and community impact across South Africa and beyond. |
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| | Machine Learning in Ecology Group Updates |
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| | | | | Resilient Africa Summit Participants (Photo © CIFOR-ICRAF) |
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| | Matthew Van den Berg and Milanto Ferdinand Rasolofohery, attended the Vatican African Conference on Climate Resilience, held in Nairobi from 30 June to 2 July 2025. This summit brought together mayors, governors, scientists, youth, civil society, and high-level policymakers for the Resilient Africa Summit, part of a global series of climate policy events organised by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (PAS) and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (PASS). The conference focused on strengthening climate resilience with a focus on the Mitigation, Adaptation, and Societal Transformation (MAST) as forming the three pillars for climate resilience. Additionally, the conference placed a special emphasis on youth and their role in developing climate resilience. |
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| | | | Matthew and Milanto participated as panellists representing AIMS at a session on Nature-Based Solutions and Translational Research for Climate-Resilient Sustainable Action. They highlighted how machine learning-assisted ecological and biodiversity monitoring can be used to improve and understand climate resilience actions within Africa. |
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| The group's PhD student, Carolina Marques, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Lisbon and AIMS South Africa published a journal article titled "Enhancing the classification of isolated theropod teeth using machine learning: a comparative study". This represents the group's initial and ongoing efforts to publish research in palaeontology and machine learning. (https://peerj.com/articles/19116/) |
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| | | | The group has also been joined by Daniel Salnikov (Imperial College London) and Kai V. from MIT who are visiting the group for two months. The team will be working on machine learning and palaeontology research. |
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| | Cape To Cartage: screening and surprise
online chat with the cast! |
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| | | | | | On 17 June, the students of the AI for Science program, relaxing a bit between their report submission and upcoming oral exams, were offered a “surprise” by their academic director. |
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| | It consisted of a screening of the documentary “Cape to Carthage.” The film tells the story of the first fully African team of scientists to successfully present a poster at the prestigious NeurIPS — the most important conference in Artificial Intelligence in the world. |
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| | The real moment of surprise came after the screening, when cast members Arnu Pretorius, Omayma Mahjoub, and Ruan de Koch joined a live call to answer questions. |
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| | The real moment of surprise came after the screening, when cast members Arnu Pretorius, Omayma Mahjoub, and Ruan de Koch joined a live call to answer questions. Students were genuinely inspired by the love, grit, and collaborative spirit of these pioneers. |
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| “It was my first time watching Cape to Carthage, and it lit a fire in me. As a young African woman in AI, I saw what’s possible when we dare to dream together. I left feeling seen, empowered, and ready to take up space. The surprise was impactful and it’s now my go to film in case I need inspiration to never give up; I could be the next “first” of my kind.” Rumbi, AI for Science student from Zimbabwe |
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| | “What I saw shook me: young Africans, just like me, doing late-night meetings, moments of doubt but also this raw energy, this conviction that yes, it’s possible. We can make our own space. I walked away from that experience changed. More confident. More daring. I’m no longer afraid to dream big. Because deep down, I know I can do it.” Astride Melvin, AI for Science student from Cameroon |
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| | “Cape to Carthage is incredibly inspiring. The real surprise was meeting the cast online. It ignited something in me. Seeing African scientists thrive at NeurIPS shattered my doubts. Their grit and camaraderie showed me: barriers are meant to be broken, and I’m next." Rodéo, AI for Science student from Benin |
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| | Mastercard Foundation: Reflecting, Planning, and Connecting |
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| | | | | | AIMS Network Holds Annual Meeting in Ghana Accra from 20-23 May 2025. Ms Noluthando Sithole, an intern with the House of Science Communication at AIMS South Africa, recently represented the centre at the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at AIMS’s Annual Reflection and Planning Meeting held in Accra, Ghana. |
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| Over four impactful days, representatives from AIMS centres across Africa came together to reflect on the network’s progress, share innovative practices, and strategize for the future. |
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| | | Teaching tip for lecturers! |
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| | | Comparing/Contrasting Three |
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| | Here the idea is to compose groups of three examples with some similarities and differences. By systematic comparison, the exploration of similarities promotes generalization, and the exploration of differences promotes a deeper and more extended appreciation of the concept. |
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| | | | | | AIMS South Africa
Annual Report |
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| The latest report for the period 2023 to 2024 is available to view online. |
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| | | | | | Postdoctoral Fellowship in Quantum Computing |
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| | The Quantum@AIMS research group, led by Dr Ryan Sweke, is inviting applications for a two year postdoctoral fellowship (start date 1 January 2026). Research in this group is focused on foundational mathematical questions at the intersection of quantum computing, theory of machine learning and cryptography, and applicants should ideally have both a background in related topics and strong motivation to perform research in these directions. |
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| | AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship |
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| | AIMS South Africa invites applications for an Artificial Intelligence in Science postdoctoral fellowship. Duration: 1 September 2027 to 31 August 2028. This one-year appointment at AIMS South Africa is linked to a one year Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Fellowship at Imperial College, London, which commences on 1 September 2026. The AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship at AIMS follows immediately after the Fellowship at Imperial College. Candidates are required to apply for both appointments, and the application for the Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Fellowship can be found on Imperial College’s website at: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/ix-ai-in-science/apply/ |
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| | | | Two PhD Positions in Quantum Computing |
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| | The Quantum@AIMS research group, led by Dr Ryan Sweke, is offering two three-year PhD positions in quantum computing and quantum information, with the possibility of an additional one year extension (start date 1 January 2026). The scope for both positions is broad, but it is envisaged that successful applicants will work on foundational mathematical questions at the intersection of quantum computing, theory of machine learning and cryptography. |
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