2020-12-07

Nobel Prize and Field Medal Laureates to Speak at Virtual Next Einstein Forum Global Gathering

KIGALI, Rwanda, December 7, 2020,-  Three Nobel Prize laureates and one Field Medalist will speak at the first-ever virtual Next Einstein Forum Global Gathering (NEF-GG), Africa’s largest scientific gathering set to take place from 8-10 December 2020. Organized against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, under the theme“Building Africa’s resilience through education, research and innovation”, this year’s event will take place through the  Airmeet video conferencing platform. 

The scientists will be joining a conversation moderated by AIMS Founder and Board Chair, Prof Neil Turok on the first plenary session of the event to discuss: “Finding the Next Einstein, Preparing Africa to lead in scientific discovery” on 8 December 2020 from 2.45-3.45 CAT, through live and pre-recorded interventions.

Meet the Speakers:

Prof Caucher Birkar

2018 Field Medal Laureate in Algebraic Geometry

Prof Donna Strickland

2018 Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics

Prof François Englert

2013 Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics

Prof Leon Mutesa

Director of Center for Human Genetics

College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda 

Prof Jacques Marescaux

President, IRCAD France

Sir Richard J. Roberts, Ph.D. F.R.S.

1993 Nobel Prize Laureate in Physiology or Medicine

With a focus on identifying ways to strengthen Africa’s scientific future, this year’s conference will address science leadership in combating pandemics such as the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, building resilient educational systems, the crucial role of the digital economy and youth employment among other issues.

The biennial NEF Global Gatherings are the NEF’s marquee event. Far from an ordinary science forum, the NEF Global Gatherings position science at the centre of global development efforts. In the presence of scientists, political and industry leaders, civil society and media, and with a strong focus on youth and women, the voices of global science leaders have the opportunity to be heard and to have a significant impact on Africa’s scientific future. 

ABOUT AIMS

Founded in 2003, the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) is a pan-African network of centres of excellence for post-graduate training in mathematical sciences, research and public engagement in STEM. With centres in South Africa, Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon and Rwanda, AIMS is leading Africa’s socio-economic transformation through innovative scientific training, cutting-edge research, and public engagement. With expertly tailored academic and non-academic programs spanning through Centres of Excellence, Research Centres, the AIMS Industry Initiative and Gender-Responsive Teacher Training, AIMS equally created two critical initiatives: Quantum Leap Africa, which aspires to do leading-edge research in quantum science, and the Next Einstein Forum, which is positioning Africa to become an important player in global science. For more information, visit www.nexteinstein.org.

More at nef.org

Twitter: @NextEinsteinFor 

Facebook: NextEinsteinForum

Media Contact

Dr Layih Butake

Senior Outreach Manager & Acting Director of Communications, AIMS

Lbutake@nexteinstein.org