CAPE
TOWN, South Africa,21 April 2015,-/African Media Agency (AMA)/-The
African Institute for Mathematical Science (AIMS) joined South African
corporations, non-government organisations and various stakeholders in
the public and private sector across the world in speaking out against
the recent xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals residing in South
Africa. The first pan-African network of centres of excellence, which
established its first centre in 2003 in Cape Town, provides innovative
training and research opportunities in mathematical sciences to
brilliant students from across the continent.
"On behalf of AIMS,
I am deeply shocked and saddened by the recent xenophobic violence
against foreign nationals in South Africa." said Professor Neil Turok,
Founder of AIMS, who was born in South Africa. "It is clear that there
are deeper socio-economic catalysts that have brought South Africa to
this point. A motivating factor for the foundation of AIMS was to
address these issues by creating an environment in which Africa's
brightest students can become innovators who propel scientific,
education and economic self-sufficiency. If we focus on the solutions,
we can move not only South Africa but the continent forward towards
sustainable prosperity and avoid conflict that leads to irreparable
damage such as loss of life."
AIMS expressed its support of the
South African Department of Science and Technology's statement, in which
Minister Naledi Pandor stated: "Without the experience and expertise of
these esteemed colleagues (from other African countries), who also
fulfil the valuable role of mentors and guides to young South Africans,
science and technology in our country would be very much the poorer. Let
us also not forget that during their exile from South Africa, due to
the denial of access to education opportunities by the apartheid regime,
many South African scientists benefited from training and education in
other African states."
The ongoing xenophobic violence in South
Africa erupted in certain parts of Durban two weeks ago, and then spread
to other parts of the country, including the Johannesburg CBD. Six
people are reported to have been killed. The cause of the violence has
been attributed to various historical, social and economic factors- with
key drivers being poverty, unemployment and poor access to education,
leaving migrants and the poorest South Africans competing for scarce
jobs to make a menial living.
Since its inception, AIMS' objective
has been to enable Africa's youth to shape the continent's future
through Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) education. The
organisation, which has centres in South Africa, Ghana, Senegal,
Cameroon and Tanzania, offers Master's coursework in mathematical
sciences and is focused on scientific training, cutting-edge research
and public engagement. "We believe that many of the socio-economic
stress factors that lead to conflict in Africa stem from insufficient
investment in education and skills training," said Thierry Zomahoun,
President and CEO of AIMS. "At AIMS, we embrace a spirit of
pan-Africanism, where students from across Africa work together in a
24-hour live-work environment focused on applied solutions to
development and global challenges. In this environment, our students
also embrace tolerance, which curbs any stereotypical misconceptions the
students may have about each other, and fosters friendship and
collaboration- key elements for individual, national and continental
growth."
AIMS has produced 748 mathematical scientists from 42 African countries including 240 women.
Distributed by African Media Agency on behalf of The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS).
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