The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) (www.NextEinstein.org) and the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) (www.FAWE.org) celebrated on International Women’s Day, a joint partnership for the promotion of girls’ participation in Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education across Africa.
This partnership was cemented by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the opening day of the Next Einstein Forum (NEF), Africa’s first global forum on science, taking place in Dakar. An initiative of AIMS, the NEF is a platform that brings together leading thinkers in science, policy, industry and civil society in Africa to leverage science to solve global challenges. This MoU will serve as a framework for collaboration between AIMS and FAWE to promote gender equality in STEM education at continental and country level.
“Gender equality and inclusion is of vital importance to our work at AIMS, where 30% of all of our graduates are women. It goes without saying that we believe that women can and will play a key role in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals if they are given equal access to a quality education in the STEM fields; they constitute half of our continent’s brain capacity,” said Thierry Zomahoun, President and CEO of AIMS. “Through this exciting partnership with FAWE, we will reach more girls across the continent and create enabling environments for them to study and succeed in STEM education”
The AU Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 name gender equality as a key requirement for sustainable development. This AIMS-FAWE partnership will increase access and quality of STEM education for girls. Some key areas of collaboration include integrating gender responsive pedagogy in secondary school teacher training in Cameroon, joint outreach activities to encourage girls to develop an interest in mathematics and science, promoting AIMS students as mentors to FAWE beneficiaries and promoting awareness of successful African women in STEM as role models.
“Mathematical sciences is a key driver for Africa’s transformation and yet there are few students studying mathematics and even fewer girls. We are especially excited to work with AIMS to increase exposure to role models and mentors for the girls we work with in the communities and to show them that they too could be Africa’s Next Einstein. This partnership will also inform our advocacy engagement with continental and regional policy institutions on women and girls’ participation in STEM Education.’ said Hendrina Doroba, Executive Director of FAWE.
Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS).
Media Contacts:
Mimi Kalinda (AIMS)
E: mkalinda@nexteinstein.org
Larissa Esmiralda (FAWE)
E: lesmiralda@fawe.org
About AIMS
The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences Next Einstein Initiative (AIMS-NEI) (www.NextEinstein.org) is a pan African network of centres of excellence for postgraduate training, research and outreach in mathematical sciences. AIMS’ vision is to lead the transformation of Africa through innovative scientific training, technical advances and breakthrough discoveries which benefit the whole of society. Its mission is to enable Africa’s brightest students to flourish as independent thinkers, problem solvers and innovators capable of propelling Africa’s future scientific, educational and economic self-sufficiency. AIMS recruits talented students from across Africa for an intensive one year taught Master’s program and a three year PhD program (in some of its centers) in mathematical sciences.
About FAWE
FAWE (www.FAWE.org) is a pan-African Non-Governmental Organization working in 33 African countries to empower girls and women through gender-responsive education. FAWE works hand-in-hand with communities, schools, civil society, Non-Governmental Organizations and ministries to achieve gender equity and equality in education through targeted programmes. FAWE promotes gender equity and equality in education in Africa by fostering positive policies, practices and attitudes towards girls’ education. FAWE’s work is to encourage governments, international organizations and local communities to enact policies and provide positive learning environments that treat girls and boys equally.
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- Image: This partnership was cemented by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the opening day of the Next Einstein Forum (NEF), Africa’s first global forum on science, taking place in Dakar
- Image: Thierry Zomahoun, President and CEO of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS)
Source: Apo-Opa
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