The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), of which Stellenbosch University (SU) is a partner, conferred Master's Degrees in Mathematical Sciences on 43 students (including 19 women) from 18 different African countries on Tuesday (23 June 2015).
The graduation ceremony took place at the Muizenberg Pavilion.
Other partners are the universities of Cambridge, Cape Town, Oxford, Paris Sud XI and the Western Cape.
Founded in 2003, AIMS-South Africa has already produced 579 graduates. As part of a pan-African network of centres of excellence for postgraduate education, research and public engagement in the mathematical sciences, AIMS-South Africa has helped boost the number of degrees to over 900 across the network.
The ceremony was officiated by Dr Max Price, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town, Prof Vivienne Lawack, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Western Cape and Prof Eugene Cloete, Vice-Rector: Research and Innovation at SU.
The guest speaker was Prof Brian O'Connell, an AIMS-South Africa Trustee and former Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Western Cape.
In his congratulatory message, O'Connell said AIMS graduates are a wonderful example of people who are strong and brave enough to deal with the unprecedented environmental challenges facing humanity.
"Our students will play a big role in contributing to the renewal and growth of the African continent," said Prof Barry Green, Director of AIMS-South Africa.
Graduates expressed their appreciation for the quality education and support they received during their studies.
Ms Ephifania Geza from Zimbabwe said "we have been transformed for the betterment of Africa." Echoing her sentiment, Ms Reine Marquise Yemata Mekondjou from Cameroon added: "what we are doing will change Africa tomorrow." Mr Adebayo Abayomi Adeleke, from Nigeria said they must use what AIMS has provided them to benefit those who do not get this chance.
At the graduation ceremony, a number of AIMS Endowed Scholarships were also awarded to those students who had performed exceptionally during their year of study. The recipients were: Mr Arnaud Andrianavalomahefa who received the Stephen Hawking Scholarship; Ms Vahatra Fenosoa Rabonandrianandraina who was awarded the Martin Rees Scholarship; Mr Felicien Jordan Masakuna who received the Paul G. Allen Scholarship, and Ms Cecilia Muthoni Ndirangu and Mr Emmanuel Oluwatobiloba Neye, who both received Victor Rothschild Scholarships.
For more about AIMS-South Africa, visit www.aims.ac.za.
