AIMS South Africa

22/08/2026

The award video https://youtu.be/p5GC2bVwa84 was a glimpse.

The real story is a community: students learning, researchers collaborating, teachers growing, alumni leading, and partners helping build Africa’s scientific future.

Whether you are a prospective student, lecturer, researcher, donor, partner, teacher, alumnus or supporter, there is a place for you in the AIMS South Africa story.

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁. 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽.

Start here: www.aims.ac.za

21/08/2026

🧮 Inspiring the Next Generation of South Africa’s STEM Leaders

The final National Science Month public outreach activity took place on 31 July 2026 at the STEM Community Career Day hosted by Langa High School and organised by National Research Foundation Ithemba LABS in partnership with Langa Baptist Church.

More than 500 learners and educators participated in interactive STEM activities designed to inspire future scientists and innovators. Mastercard Foundation Scholars from AIMS South Africa and Africa Scientifique alumni engaged learners through origami and 3D geometry, mathematics quizzes and the popular Dr Maths Booth, where learners received one-on-one support with mathematical concepts they found challenging.

Beyond solving maths problems, the scholars introduced learners to career pathways in the mathematical sciences and shared their own journeys as young African researchers.

Kahsay Godifey Wubneh reflected: “This was my first time participating in a National Science event or any other public event... It was a great opportunity to share knowledge, inspire young learners, and improve my public engagement skills. Participating in this event increased my confidence in communicating science to the students.”

For Ngabigala Eliya, the experience connected directly with his passion for mathematics education: “Participating in the NSM and leading weekly tutorials gave me an opportunity to both support learners and better understand the challenges they face in mathematics... This experience strengthened my confidence in public speaking, improved my communication skills, and reinforced my passion for science communication and community engagement.”

Lebogang Ramotshela also reflected on learning to communicate mathematics differently: “Participating in the NSM event helped me become more comfortable with speaking to learners and explaining mathematical ideas in a simple and understandable way... It reminded me that creating a supportive environment can help learners become more willing to try, make mistakes and learn from them.”

The outreach was supported by Mastercard Foundation Scholars at AIMS South Africa as part of their Science Communication Projects following participation in the three-phased Africa Scientifique: Leadership, Knowledge and Skills for Science Communication Programme, delivered by the AIMS House of Science in partnership with Gong.

Together, we are empowering the next generation to see mathematics not just as a school subject, but as a pathway to life-enhancing opportunities and leadership for societal change.

20/08/2026

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗔𝗜𝗠𝗦?

AIMS South Africa offers a fully residential Master’s programme in Cape Town, creating a focused and supportive academic community.

Students live, learn and work alongside peers from across Africa, with access to resident tutors, visiting lecturers, computer labs and shared academic spaces.

For accepted students, full scholarships cover tuition, accommodation, travel and medical aid.

Applications South African students for the 2026/2027 intake close 𝟯𝟭 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

Apply now: https://shorturl.at/yXf0s

18/08/2026

🧮 Science doesn’t only belong in classrooms, libraries and laboratories — it belongs wherever people live, work and gather.

During National Science Month, Mastercard Foundation Scholars at AIMS South Africa brought mathematics to the Muizenberg Flea Market, one of Cape Town’s busiest weekend attractions.

Through interactive games, quizzes, posters and conversations, Biruk Eshetu, Abraham Awortwe, Justina Twum, Mokgethwa Makgatho, Bill Mbohgo, Daniel Boateng and Mannondé Gbaguidi engaged local residents and tourists with the mathematics behind cybersecurity, electricity load shedding, African art, leadership and other everyday challenges.

Reflecting on the experience, Biruk Eshetu shared:

“My science communication project successfully demonstrated that mathematics is closely connected to everyday life through African patterns and cultural designs... A key lesson learned was that many people are unaware of the mathematics that exists in their daily lives.”

For Mokgethwa Makgatho, the experience changed how she communicates her research:

“The project improved my confidence in speaking to people in public and helped me become more comfortable explaining my work to people who may not have a background in statistics or data science.”

Abraham Awortwe also reflected on the challenge of communicating in a busy public space:

“I learned to deliver the core scientific and social message of my poster in a 1-minute elevator pitch before diving into the mathematical details... This experience has radically boosted my public speaking confidence and proved to me that the public is hungry for scientific and mathematical solutions — we just have to meet them where they already gather.”

The outreach formed part of the scholars’ Science Communication Projects following their participation in the Africa Scientifique programme, delivered by the AIMS South Africa House of Science in partnership with African Gong.

By transforming an ordinary market day into a science engagement experience, the scholars showed that mathematics can be fun, practical, accessible and relevant to everyday life.

17/08/2026

AIMS South Africa is built by more than programmes, partnerships and research.

Every lecture, seminar, student meal, visitor welcome, residential experience and campus event depends on a dedicated team helping the AIMS community work.

From facilities and catering to administration, finance, communications, student support and operations, every role contributes to the environment where students, researchers, lecturers and partners can thrive.

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁. 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽.

www.aims.ac.za

16/08/2026

➗ Can mathematics help us protect ourselves from scams, make healthier decisions, understand artificial intelligence and prepare for the future of work?

These questions were at the heart of Maths for Life, a community engagement event hosted by AIMS South Africa in partnership with Sonrise Assembly of God at the Ubuntu Centre in Muizenberg as part of South Africa’s inaugural National Science Month.

Through interactive exhibitions, posters and conversations, Mastercard Foundation Scholars at AIMS South Africa demonstrated how mathematics connects to everyday challenges — from financial planning and cybersecurity to health, water conservation, African art, surfing and artificial intelligence.

The event also featured a keynote address by Dr Michael Kateregga, Specialist Data Scientist at Old Mutual and an AIMS South Africa Alumnus, who explored the mathematics behind AI, the lessons of previous technological revolutions and how communities can prepare for the future of work.

Reflecting on his Anti-Scam Maths project, Daniel Boateng shared:

“My project, Anti-Scam Maths, set out to show ordinary community members in Muizenberg that basic mathematics is not just something you learn in school, but it is a practical tool that can protect you from losing your money to scammers.”

He added that one of the most memorable moments came when an older community member told him she had never imagined mathematics could protect her family from scammers.

The impact was also reflected in feedback from community participant Mrs Sakeenah Kankwende:

“I was touched and inspired by the students’ passion in their various fields. So moved by the wonderful work AIMS is doing for these young people... I definitely left having a different perspective on Maths.”

The outreach formed part of the scholars’ Science Communication Projects following their participation in the Africa Scientifique programme, delivered by the AIMS South Africa House of Science in partnership with African Gong.

15/08/2026

AIMS South Africa’s impact is built through partnership.

We work with universities, funders, government, industry, schools, foundations, research institutions and community organisations to strengthen mathematical sciences, AI capacity, education and public engagement.

Partnerships help us expand access, support students, strengthen research, develop teachers, communicate science and build the skills Africa needs for the future.

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁. 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽.

Partner with us: https://aims.ac.za/partners/

14/08/2026

🎓 Relive the AIMS South Africa 2025–2026 Recognition of Achievement Ceremony.

Watch highlights from a special celebration of 60 students from our AI for Science and Structured Master’s streams, with reflections from students, faculty and guest speakers.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of Google DeepMind and the Mastercard Foundation, as well as our university partners: the University of Cape Town, the The University of the Western Cape and Stellenbosch University.

▶️ Watch the video: https://youtu.be/N4HEyx1CuS0

AIMS South Africa celebrated the achievements of its 2025–2026 Mast...

13/08/2026

🔢 South Africa’s inaugural National Science Month was an opportunity to show just how relevant mathematics is to everyday life.

From 1–31 July 2026, National Science Month took place under the theme “Science, Technology and Innovation are for Everyone”, bringing together institutions across the country to make science more accessible, engaging and relevant.

AIMS South Africa launched its public outreach activities on 4 July at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) in Sebokeng, where more than 100 exhibitors from universities, research councils, science centres, government departments and industry came together to celebrate science and innovation.

Representing AIMS South Africa were Africa Scientifique alumni Lavender Ayako, Marry Thekhwe and Ruth Abbey, who hosted the only exhibition dedicated exclusively to the mathematical sciences. Through maths puzzles, logic games, presentations and interactive activities, they demonstrated how mathematics underpins science, technology and innovation and can help address real-world challenges.

Lavender Ayako reflected: “At the AIMS South Africa exhibition stand, we had the opportunity to introduce visitors to AIMS, the postgraduate programmes it offers, and the diverse career paths available after graduation. I also had the opportunity to present my Africa Scientifique project, explaining in simple terms how mathematics can be used to model and help mitigate flooding, one of the challenges affecting many communities today.”

She added: “It was exciting to demonstrate how mathematical sciences can contribute to solving real-world problems. NSM is an excellent initiative to inspire more young people to pursue careers in science, technology and innovation.”

Ruth Abbey also shared how the experience strengthened her as an emerging researcher: “Participating in the NSM Launch strengthened my confidence in communicating mathematics to diverse audiences. As an emerging researcher, I realised that effective science communication is just as important as conducting research.”

She added: “One lasting insight is that people become more interested in science when they are actively involved rather than simply listening.”

Together, we are making mathematics more accessible, relevant and inspiring while empowering the next generation of African scientists to communicate mathematical sciences beyond academia and engage meaningfully with society.

12/08/2026

AIMS South Africa is pleased to announce that Dr Cerene Rathilal will join the institution as Academic Director on 1 December 2026.

Dr Rathilal is a mathematician specialising in Pointfree Topology, with broader interests in Algebra and Topology. She is currently a Senior Lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and is also actively involved in initiatives that support emerging mathematicians and women in STEM.

We look forward to welcoming her to AIMS South Africa later this year.

Dr Jacques Rabie will serve as Acting Academic Director until 1 December 2026.

Read more: https://aims.ac.za/events/2026-new-academic-director/