Our Academic Programs
Our academic programs are designed to provide rigorous training and research opportunities that prepare students for leadership roles in academia, industry, and government. We aim to develop a robust pipeline of highly trained professionals who can contribute significantly to the continent’s scientific and technological advancement. We offer:
These programs equip students with advanced knowledge and practical skills in mathematical sciences, preparing them for professional careers and further academic pursuits. With support from different funders, AIMS RIC occasionally opens calls for applications from students who are either in their final year of a BSc program or hold a BSc degree with a keen interest in Data Science, Quantum Science, and Mathematical Modeling. This incorporates related disciplines such as Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Machine Learning, Cluster Analysis, Data Mining, Big Data Analytics, Data Visualization, Artificial Intelligence, Neural Networks, Deep Learning, Deep Active Learning, and Cognitive Computing among others. Applicants holding an MSc degree may also qualify for a one-year MPnil program. The fellowship duration is normally up to 24 months with additional funding to attend conferences and international scientific events.
We currently have Research Master’s students in Data Science and Quantum Science, plus Cooperative Master’s students in Malaria Modeling and Mathematical Epidemiology.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants from any African country are welcome to apply.
- Applicants must possess either a minimum of a BSc degree in a field related to mathematical sciences by the positions start date. Also, an MSc degree holder in a field related to mathematical sciences may qualify for a one-year MPnil program.
- Interest in conducting research in one of our core areas of research and/or related disciplines is essential.
- Applicants should demonstrate openness and willingness to research topics proposed by their respective supervisors.
Application Questions
As part of the application process, candidates are asked to prepare responses to the following questions:
- Why do you think you should be selected for this fellowship?
- How has your background prepared you for this fellowship?
- How is this fellowship aligned with your career goals and future aspirations?
- Which African Scientist do you emulate or who inspires you? State why and how?
Doctoral Training Programs
In 2019, AIMS started a Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) to develop PhD-level experts. The need for such a centre was made evident by AIMS’ internal assessment of the uncoordinated manner in which PhD students had been trained. The centre was established to strengthen research in Africa, with the vision to catalyse human progress through the creation, translation, and dissemination of knowledge.
The first Doctoral Training Program (DTP) was in Climate Science, and it has already elevated to a much higher level than before the quality of the learning opportunities available to AIMS students. In 2021, AIMS started the second DTP, in Data Science, followed by one in Climate and Health Interactions, and in Malaria Modelling, both in 2023. The next step is to create another DTP in Quantum Science.
Currently, all DTPs have 55 doctoral students, hailing from different countries across the continent, with the following gender distribution:
| Doctoral Training Program/Gender | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|
| Climate Change Science | 6 | 6 |
| Data Science and its Applications | 13 | 19 |
| Climate and Health Interactions | 1 | 2 |
| Malaria Modelling | 3 | 5 |
| Total (55) | 23 | 32 |
AIMS RIC has a very small faculty, so it cannot train as many PhD students as it wants, to the required quality, by relying only on its staff. For future DTPs, we are looking at recruiting people to provide the necessary academic support. In addition, AIMS will continue to rely on a network of external faculty for student (co)supervision. Furthermore, for sustainability, AIMS needs to diversify the sources of funding available to the DTPs. For all these reasons, AIMS RIC needs strong institutional partners to provide support across the board – from planning to fundraising to execution. A lot of work has already gone into developing the required structure for the aforementioned DTPs and the approach we consider platforms to continue to build on.