1. INTRODUCTION
The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) was established in 2003 in Cape Town, South Africa. Since then, it has expanded across the continent and established six centres of excellence for mathematical sciences in South Africa, Senegal, Cameroon, Ghana, Tanzania and Rwanda. AIMS is a pan-African network for the advancement of STEM, offering post-graduate training, research, and public outreach & engagement. The AIMS Master’s in Mathematical Sciences program is at the core of AIMS – the program trains hundreds of talented young Africans each year and prepares them for leadership positions in education, research, government and the private sector. Research is also an integral part of AIMS with three AIMS Research Centres across the network and a growing AIMS Research Chair program. International researchers partner with local researchers and students at AIMS centres to pursue innovations in STEM and their application to society.