TORONTO, July 31, 2017 – The Fields and Perimeter Institutes are pleased to announce a new partnership with the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences Next Einstein Initiative (AIMS-NEI). The new agreement includes renewal of the Fields-Perimeter Africa Postdoctoral Fellowship program for an additional five years, as well as increased opportunities for AIMS-NEI students and researchers to participate in the variety of programs offered by Fields Institute.
Launched in 2012, the Fields-Perimeter Africa Postdoctoral Fellowships provide the opportunity for recent PhD graduates who are African nationals working in areas of mathematical sciences or fundamental theoretical physics to spend one year at either of the two Canadian Institutes. The goal is to support the careers of young researchers who are committed to advance science in Africa.
The program is administered in partnership with the AIMS-NEI, a pan-African network of centers for post-graduate training, research, and public engagement in the mathematical sciences.
“So far, our partnership has succeeded beyond any initial hopes,” said Neil Turok, Director of the Perimeter Institute. “The Fields-Perimeter Fellowship has attracted excellent candidates, distinguished not only by the quality of their science but also by their commitment to create opportunities for others. There is an abundance of youthful talent in Africa. Everything we can do today to hasten its development will bear great fruits for Africa and for science, in the future.”
Turok specifically mentioned Praise Adeyemo (Fields-Perimeter Postdoctoral Fellow 2016-17) who recently organized the CIMPA School in Algebraic Geometry in Nigeria, and Prince Osei (Fields-Perimeter Postdoctoral Fellow 2015-16) who will be moving to Rwanda next month as the project developer for Quantum Leap Africa.
In addition to the Fellowship, Fields is also supporting the AIMS-NEI For Excellence program – a collaborative program to provide the most promising minds in Africa training and other opportunities to excel in STEM disciplines.
“It is a privilege to provide opportunities for promising young African researchers,” said Ian Hambleton, Director of the Fields Institute. “The postdoctoral fellows from the last four years have been truly superb and have shared with us, not only their scientific abilities, but also their diverse perspectives. The next five years are sure to be exciting and productive.”
About Fields
The Fields Institute is an international hub for mathematical collaboration. Every year Fields hosts over 4000 visiting researchers, post-doctoral fellows, and students from across six continents. Programs range from research seminars and public lectures to school outreach activities and start-up incubation, making mathematics accessible and engaging for all audiences. For more information, visit http://www.fields.utoronto.ca
In the picture from left to right: Ian Hambleton (Fields Institute Director), Prince Osei (AIMS Quantum Leap Africa Project Leader & Perimeter Institute), David Kribs (AIMS International Academic Advisor), Huaxiong Huang (Fields Institute Deputy Director)