| | | | Industry Immersion Program 2023 |
| | The Industry Immersion Program (IIP) seeks to strengthen the employability of mathematically excellent university graduates from five centres across Africa. It provides a hands-on supplementary curriculum to those who seek a career in industry or in business. |
| | In July 2023, the IIP team trained a total of 111 students from AIMS, Strathmore University, and the University of Ghana. Out of this number, 14 of the students came from AIMS South Africa. The program ran from 3 July to 4 August 2023. |
| | The business and soft skills are delivered by lecturers from ESMT Berlin, University of Victoria in Canada and Stellenbosch University. The ‘Introduction to General Management’ module was delivered by Prof. Zoltan Antal-Mogos from ESMT Berlin at AIMS South Africa. At the end of the program, students received a certificate in business management signed by ESMT Berlin. |
| | The backbone of the program is the internship module during which participants experience a business environment first-hand and apply their academic learning. The IIP team are currently working with students to begin their internships in their home country. |
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| | | The AIMSSEC team is delighted to introduce Dr Sinobia Kenny as their new Academic Manager, beginning her role on 1 September 2023. We are excited to have her join us and lead the AIMSSEC team into new and exciting directions. We have complete confidence in her ability to contribute her expertise to the organisation, and we anticipate that this engagement will be a fulfilling experience for her. |
| | Alongside this exciting announcement, we also bid a heartfelt farewell to one of our longest-serving members, Dr Barrie Barnard, who is embarking on a well-deserved retirement. Dr Barnard dedicated an impressive 14 years and 6 months as an Academic Manager within our organization and an astounding 46 years serving South African children as an educator. We extend our deepest gratitude to Dr Barnard for his remarkable leadership and unwavering commitment to our team and its mission. Furthermore, we extend a warm welcome to the newest member of our administration team, |
| | Ms Ntombekhaya Jacobs Wana who brings a wealth of experience in the administrative arena. |
| | We are also delighted to introduce Ms Loveness Mahwire, our recently appointed Mathematics Education Lecturer for the Intermediate Phase (IP), who will be joining our team on 1 October 2023. |
| | We also bid farewell to Ms Jo-Anne Louw. She has been with AIMSSEC since 8 May 2023, serving as an administrative officer during a time when AIMSSEC was actively 'HIRING.' We deeply appreciate the excellent role she played in fulfilling her administrative duties while we were in search of a more permanent officer. Her service has been greatly valued. A heartfelt thank you! |
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| | | Ms Ann Lilian Wangui Mwangi, a graduate from the 2022-2023 intake at AIMS South Africa, recently completed an internship in Japan. The visit was made possible through a partnership agreement with Tohoku University. |
| | A report on her visit can be found here. |
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| | Machine Learning for Ecology Research Group Updates |
| This article presents a number of experiments that highlights the importance of using meta-data when creating machine learning models for animal vocalisation classification. |
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| | Mr Matthew Van den Berg presented a research update titled "Architectures and basic concepts for pose estimation" in the group's journal club. |
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| AIMS South Africa welcomes new intern |
| | On 1 August, AIMS South Africa welcomed Ms Noluthando Sithole. She joins the AIMS family as a new intern through the DSI-HSRC Internship Programme 2023/25. The programme offers practical work experience and mentorship to unemployed graduates and postgraduates to gain valuable skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, social sciences and humanities. Noluthando will work closely with Dr Rejoyce Gavhi-Molefe in the planning, implementing, delivering, monitoring, evaluating, and promoting of the House of Science public engagement and women in mathematics projects, amongst other things. |
| | 'I hope to gain valuable hands-on experience, refine my skills in various aspects of media production, collaborate within a professional team environment and contribute to the House of Science's |
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| | | growth. I hope to seek some guidance and to be tested within the media aspect of AIMS, which will help me to gain some skills, knowledge and experience in editing, social media posting and public speaking,” said Noluthando. |
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| Upgrading of AIMS facilities |
| | Phase 1 of the renovations process on the main AIMS Building is nearing completion and was aimed at fixing the ablution facilities, accommodating the additional Master’s stream and increasing our generating capacity. The generator/UPS installation processes are well under way. |
| | | | In the common area a small lecture room with a capacity of 15-20 has been created along with the new boardroom. |
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The old Biomaths lab has been converted into an additional lecture room with a capacity of 40. |
| | | | Work on the main lecture hall is also progressing well. |
| | | | Phase 2 of the renovation process entails the refurbishing of the exterior of the main building and the upgrade of the main lecture room /dining area flooring. |
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| | | | AIMS is turning 20, and the German Research Chairs in Africa are turning 10! We invite you to a week-long festival aimed at strengthening the mathematical sciences across Africa. We will celebrate Africa’s rich mathematical heritage and promote growth in scientific endeavours on home soil. Let’s make our roots strong and let’s grow! |
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| | Applications for the January 2024 intake of the AIMS Structured Master’s in Mathematical Sciences is now open to students following the South African academic calendar (January to December). Preference will be given to South African nationals. Applicants should hold, or anticipate completing by the start date of the AIMS course, a 4-year university degree in mathematics, or any science or engineering subject with a significant mathematics component. |
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| | | Resident Researcher in Machine Learning |
| | AIMS South Africa is looking to hire a resident researcher to join its vibrant research centre. As a Resident Researcher, you will develop innovative machine learning techniques and advance scientific research. You will have the chance to collaborate with peers within AIMS and foster your own national and international network. |
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| | | AIMS South Africa is seeking an Administrative Officer to help us with the day to day running of AIMS.
Closing date for applications: 1 October 2023 |
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