African Mathematical Institutes Network (AMI-Net)

Modern science increasingly rests upon the application of powerful mathematical methods for analysing data and for developing and testing theoretical models. For example,

within the biosciences, disciplines such as bioinformatics, computational biology, epidemiology and genomics require advanced computer algorithms, mathematical modelling and statistics;
efficient management and sustainable exploitation of natural resources including water and energy increasingly rests on sophisticated techniques for gathering and processing data, such as remote sensing, and for the construction of predictive models of the relevant physical processes;
in materials science, data analysis from laser and X-ray studies and physical modelling are key tools to understand and develop local materials which will reduce Africa’s dependency on imported products;
information and communication technologies, especially the internet and mobile telecommunications rely on efficient mathematical algorithms governing the transfer of data and its secure encryption.

This Programme seeks to strengthen the African Mathematical Institutes Network (AMI-Net), which was constituted in October 2005. It implements strong postgraduate teaching and research programmes in the mathematical sciences across Africa. A network of mathematical institutes can perform a major training role for the other Programme Clusters, by preparing postgraduate students for advanced research using modern computational and analytical techniques.

AMI-Net will seek to identify the most promising centres across Africa for inclusion and possible upgrading into AMI-Net Nodes. The goal will be to establish around fifteen Nodes within five years. Such a network of institutes would be capable of preparing around 300 postgraduate mathematical scientists per year, many of whom would continue to research projects within other Programme Clusters.

The African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) is a pan-African centre for postgraduate training and research located in Cape Town, South Africa. Since it opened in September 2003, AIMS has been recruiting and training students from all over Africa. AIMS was presented as a Centre of Excellence at the first AMCOST meeting in Johannesburg in November 2003. AIMS has been asked to act in the first instance as the Hub for AMI-Net, and as its Secretariat. AIMS will provide technical support to the identified Nodes and host specialized scientific and management training courses, conferences and workshops associated with the development of AMI-Net. Programme Objectives

This programme aims to strengthen Africa’s capacity in the mathematical sciences and in particular those aspects of greatest relevance to African development, in the broadest sense.

The programme objectives are:

To contribute to the building of a new generation of African scientists and technologists, with excellent quantitative problem-solving skills;
To assist in the development of new lecturers and teachers and thereby strengthen the teaching of mathematics and science, especially at university level;
To prepare students for research across a wide range of disciplines, by impart ing key skills and a broad awareness of modern science;
To build a critical mass of mathematical scientists, connected via the internet and working in collaboration across Africa, supporting the other NEPAD S&T programmes in experimental sciences and engaging in interdisciplinary research on a wide range of topics, especially those of greatest relevance to African development; and
To promote the use of Free Software for teaching and scientific research.

Indicative projects and activities

The above goals will be achieved through the following two principal initiatives:

Project 1: Building an African Mathematical Institutes Network (AMI-Net)

The mission of AMI-Net is to develop a network of around 15 Nodes operating in partnership to build excellent teaching programmes and research collaborations across Africa. AMI-Net will work in full cooperation with existing programmes and networks, including the African Mathematics Millennium Science Initiative (AMMSI). To be successful, every AMI-Net Node must be fully committed to working in an energetic and urgent manner toward the common goals of bringing increased visibility and opportunities to mathematical scientists in Africa, and building a well-connected scientific community which can play a significant role in African development.

It is proposed that each Node will develop one or more specific scientific research focus areas and will serve a wide geographical region. Each Node will operate in different conditions and will need to be designed so that its governance and structure are appropriate to local and regional circumstances. However, every Node will view itself as part of a pan-African enterprise bringing students and researchers together from all over Africa so that Africa’s diversity is a source of strength, inspiration and commitment. AMI-Net will also bring international lecturers and scientists to Africa to contribute towards the development of excellent teaching and research programmes. Every AMI-Net Node will be expected to operate under the highest standards of accountability and transparency, within a coordinated system of regular reporting. Operational aspects of the management of AMI-Net will be delegated to a Secretariat, a function which will in the first instance be performed by AIMS.

The following actions will be implemented to develop and establish the network:

A call for pre-proposals will be developed and communicated by NEPAD S&T.
Based on submissions received, a small project assessment team will conduct site visits and cost assessments for a number of candidate Nodes spread across Africa.
Candidate Nodes will be assisted in the development of detailed profiles and business plans.
The assessment team will report its findings and recommendations to the AMI-Net Council and to NEPAD.
Selection of these first Nodes will be the responsibility of the AMI-Net Council, who will submit their selection to AMCOST for final endorsement.
A similar selection process will occur annually for five years, with around three Nodes being selected each year until the targeted 15 Nodes have been established.
Administrative and software support will be established at the AIMS hub to support and coordinate the establishment of the network.
Each new Node will receive a grant to support the further development of infrastructure (computers, internet connection, library, building refurbishment, security), as well as partial salary support and grants for students and visitors in accordance with the specific needs and opportunities at that site.
AMI-Net will continue to gather available data on current strengths, needs and opportunities, with particular reference to IT infrastructure, at the main centres for mathematical sciences across Africa.
AMI-Net will undertake a benchmarking exercise, using AIMS as a reference point, to define minimum criteria for IT infrastructure required for AMI-Net Nodes, including the development of systems software, websites and remote access to high performance computers.
Technical assistance including system administration and the implementation of mathematical and other scientific software will be provided from the AIMS Hub.
All AMI-Net Nodes will be constantly linked via the internet allowing email and regular interaction on research topics of common interest. Where feasible, videoconferencing and VOIP will be implemented. This will do much to overcome isolation and bring visibility to small research groups, helping to build a critical mass of researchers in Africa, in many fields.
AMI-Net will build a strong exchange programme of lecturers and students between Nodes, and visitor programmes for international lecturers.
AIMS will continue to act as a catalyst for the development of the network.

Project 2: Expanding current pan-African Centres and Initiatives

Further development of AIMS as the Hub for AMI-Net

AIMS was established in 2003 as a flagship project linking African and international universities. Since then it has established itself as a centre of excellence recruiting outstanding students from all over Africa and preparing them for research and teaching careers in the quantitative sciences. Within the pan-African community at AIMS, relationships and collaborations are established which will help to build networking in science and technology across the continent, for many years to come.

Through an intensive nine-month postgraduate course, taught by outstanding lecturers recruited worldwide, broadly applicable problem-solving skills are developed and students are exposed to many cutting-edge fields. AIMS students have an outstanding record of proceeding to top research programmes, the vast majority within Africa. Many are now working on problems of critical importance to African development such as epidemiology, statistics for planning, financial modelling, materials science, nuclear and laser physics, telecommunications, etc.

AIMS will serve as the Hub for AMI-Net and an expansion of its activities will enable it to fulfil this function and to continue to serve as an example for other developing Nodes.

There is no shortage of good applicants – over four high quality applications are currently received for every available place on the AIMS course. The expansion of AIMS and other pan- African centres is therefore called for, in order to provide a steady stream of well-prepared postgraduate students ready to participate in advanced research projects as a part of this Action Plan. The capacity developed through AIMS will enable the graduates to in turn contribute to the development of future AMI-Net Nodes. Many AIMS students will become lecturers who can develop excellent teaching programmes at African universities, leading to a large multiplier effect in training future generations of scientists and engineers. With the global connections developed during their time at AIMS and other similar centres, these young academics will be in a good position to build international scientific collaborations and partnerships.

Expanding other pan-African Centres

AIMS works in close cooperation with other pan- African centres, and proposals for the expansion of other existing pan-African centres will be considered by the AMI-Net Council on the same basis as the expansion of activities at AIMS.

The following actions will be implemented to expand current pan-African Centres and Initiatives:

Administrative and software support will be established at the AIMS to ensure that it can effectively operate as the Hub of AMI-Net and provide the required facilitation and support to the AMI-Net Nodes.
Collaborative initiatives with other pan- African centres will be proactively identified and developed.
Proposals for the expansion of other pan- African centres within the AMI-Net vision will be invited and considered by the AMI-Net Council on a similar basis to the expansion of AIMS.
Research activities at AIMS and other pan- African centres will be strengthened, and closer ties to industry and to applied sciences developed.