African Institute for Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship in Data Science.

The very crucial new field of Data Science is evolving very rapidly and has the potential to affect many applications. For the Mathematical Science community, we see lots of challenging mathematical and computational underpinnings of Data Science with tons of interesting research questions to investigate. The Data Science research group that is being built around the German Research Chair in Mathematics with specialization in Data Science will undertake research on the mathematical and computational challenges of the field. Research projects will be spread over the following thematic areas:

• Mathematical methods for data science
• Computational techniques (algorithms) for data science
• Application of data science tools to problems from industry
• HPC implementations and studies of arising scientific computing issues

Planned Supervision: 

Dr. Bubacarr Bah in collaboration with the AIMS South Africa German Research Chair Collaborators, Prof. Gitta Kutyniok at TU Berlin and Prof. Holger Rauhut at Aachen University.

Fellowships are tenable for one year, contingent on satisfactory progress, and could be extended for a second year. Fellowships are immediately available and the value of the award ranges between R200 – R240k per annum, tax-free, subject to qualification and experience. Other benefits included the provision of a laptop, coverage of all cost associated with the use of HPC resources, and a conference travel allowance of R 30,000 per annum.

Preference will be given to applicants from SADC member states but candidates from all over Africa are encouraged to apply.

Duties

• Conducting research in the thematic areas of Data Science stated above
• Publish results in leading peer-reviewed journals and at international conferences
• Assist senior researchers in guiding students on research projects
• Collaborate with researchers at the AIMS Research Centre
• Have some involvement in the AIMS-South Africa academic and outreach programs, and duties incidental thereto.

Requirements

• A relevant doctorate of high standing
• A developing research capability which will lead to good publications
• Ability to tutor postgraduate students successfully
• Ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Good communication skills
• Fluency in English

Applications package

• A covering letter motivating the application
• A comprehensive CV stating research plans in the above or related areas
• Two reference letters from academics familiar with your work
• Statement on citizenship and whether a South African work permit is currently being held
• Other practical information such as earliest date of commencement
• Please note the Fellowship cannot be held concurrently with any supplementary funding.

Send completed applications to joan@aims.ac.za

Send subject related questions to bubacarr@aims.ac.za

Closing dates for applications: February 15, 201

For more information: 
Visit the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences website

2017 Yale Young African Scholars Program

 

The Yale Young African Scholars Program (YYAS) is a high-intensity academic and leadership program designed for African secondary school students who have the talent, drive, energy, and ideas to make meaningful impacts as young leaders, even before they begin their university studies.

YYAS brings together students from across Africa in this seven-day, residential program and introduces them to the demanding U.S. university application process and requirements. YYAS is an official program of Yale University.

There is no cost to students to participate in the Yale Young African Scholars Program.

Summer 2017 sessions will be held in three locations:

Rwanda: 27 July - 2 August
Ghana: 7 - 13 August
Mauritius: 18 - 24 August

The application deadline is March 16, 2017, at 11:59 EST.


APPLY NOW Access the 2017 online application

Learn about the:

2016 program in Rwanda, Ghana, and Zimbabwe >>
2015 program in Rwanda and Zimbabwe >>
2014 program in Ghana and Ethiopia >>

African Diaspora Mathematicians Program

Every year, thousands of scientists migrate from developing countries in search of educational opportunities and better intellectual environments. Some of these individuals acquire singular expertise and find themselves engaged in universities, research laboratories and international organizations outside their original countries.  There are reasons to believe that, given an opportunity, many of these individuals would be willing to share their expertise with scientists and students in developing countries.

For instance, a number of Diaspora mathematicians have been involved in activities that include: conference organization, training schools, teaching and supervision of postgraduate students, which have been undertaken largely through the personal drive and interest of the individuals involved.  These activities are necessary because many universities in Africa have a limited number of mathematics lecturers and consequently have to rely on visiting staff to help cover various areas of mathematics, particularly at the advanced level.

The Commission for Developing Countries (CDC), a commission of the International Mathematical Union (IMU), wishes to tap the expertise of Diaspora mathematicians, in a more formal manner, in order to provide additional staff and support to mathematics departments.

Initially, the Program will be run as a pilot program in Africa for two years (May 2017 - June 2019) and will involve a total of three partnerships, thus giving rise to the name African Diaspora Mathematicians Program (ADMP).

Depending on the success of ADMP, the CDC will decide whether to expand the Program in Africa and extend it to other regions of the Developing World.

Objective of ADMP

The objective of the ADMP is to strengthen appreciation and understanding of mathematics, particularly at the postgraduate level, by utilising the expertise of African Diaspora mathematicians, whilst at the same time encouraging collaboration in research by mathematicians in Africa and those in the African Diaspora, through the partnerships established in the Program.

Who can participate?

• Mathematicians with a PhD who were born and raised in Africa and are now full-time employed outside of Africa as professors in mathematics.
• Mathematics academic units at any university in Africa who want to build long term connections with African Diaspora Mathematicians and hopefully the home institution of the Diaspora Mathematician.
  
  

  Funding 

  Three partnerships will be funded for two years with each partnership granted Euro 7,000 annually to be used as follows, subject to the monetary policies of the IMU:
• The African Diaspora mathematician shall receive up to Euro 6,000 (based on invoices) to cover airfare, travel insurance, visa processing and living expenses for 3 to 6 weeks at the host university in Africa.
• The African Diaspora mathematician shall, in addition, be granted Euro 1,000 per year (based on invoices), to acquire educational material such as books, software, journals and other learning material, to be left to the host institution.

Requirements for the Host University and Home Institution of the Diaspora Mathematician

• The host university has to provide office space and is encouraged to provide accommodation for the African Diaspora mathematician.
• The home institution of the African Diaspora mathematician is requested to offer leave with pay during the 3 to 6 weeks of absence.

How to apply for ADMP?

The application for ADMP has to be submitted online and via e-mail by the African Diaspora mathematician, after appropriate consultation and in agreement with the host institution.

Application Procedure:

Step 1) The African Diaspora Mathematician has to fill out and submit the online application form which will be open from October 1, 2016 to January 31, 2017 on this website. Please go to the online form here: http://www.wias-berlin.de/WCMS/registration.jsp?ADMP

Step 2) The African Diaspora Mathematician has to send an email to the ADMP Administrator which has to contain the following three (3) documents (a-c) -pdf only-:

a) letter -pdf only-from the Vice-Chancellor of the host institution affirming that the proposed partnership has been discussed with the host institution and confirming support for the partnership and activities.

b) A letter -pdf only-from the Vice-Chancellor of the home university of the African Diaspora mathematician affirming awareness of the Program and giving permission for the participation of the African Diaspora mathematician. 

c) A recent CV -pdf only- of the Africa Diaspora mathematician- maximum 5 pages - which must include a list of your most recent five publications.

Please send the three documents via email to: CDC.ADMP.Administrator@mathunion.org 

Application Deadline for all data and documents is 31st January 2017.

The ADMP selection committee will start to review the applications in February 2017 and the ADMP administrator will contact the African Diaspora Mathemartician in case of further requested data and once a decision has been taken.

For more information visit: 

http://www.mathunion.org/cdc/grants/african-diaspora-mathematicians-program-admp/

International Mathematical Union (IMU) Simons African Fellowship Program 2017

 

 

The Simons Foundation is a private foundation based in New York City, incorporated in 1994 by Jim and Marilyn Simons. The Simons Foundation’s mission is to advance the frontiers of research in mathematics and the basic sciences. They sponsor a range of programs in the sciences, including grants programs in mathematics and the physical sciences. The primary focus of the foundation’s Mathematics and Physical Sciences division is the theoretical sciences radiating from mathematics: in particular, the fields of mathematics, theoretical computer science and theoretical physics. 

More information can be found here: https://www.simonsfoundation.org/.

IMU-Simons African Fellowship Program

The new grant program, the “IMU – Simons African Fellowship Program” will run for 5 years until September 2021.

There will be approx. 6 deadlines per year.

• The program supports research sabbaticals for mathematicians from AFRICAN developing countries employed in AFRICA to travel to an Internationally known mathematical centre of excellence/ university (WORLDWIDE) for collaborative research.
• The program is not for any post graduate courses or post doctoral training but for a LIMITED RESEARCH PERIOD. 
• The grant covers TRAVEL and LIVING COSTS of African mathematicians working in Africa (Specifically coming from a developing country, the definition of which is determined by the IMU for all its schemes) during the sabbatical.

This program is administered by IMU-CDC and funded by the SIMONS Foundation.

Upcoming Deadlines (for completed applications)

• January 15th, 2017 (Decisions will be made by February 28, 2017)
• March 15th, 2017 (Decisions will be made by April 30, 2017)
• May 15, 2017 (Decisions will be made by June 31,2017)

 Grant Details

The grant under this scheme will cover:

1. Travel costs from the place of work of the applicant to that of the host to the extent of economy class airfare (Public) transport (surface transport by rail or bus between the nearest city where the airport is located and the headquarters of the candidate or the city/town where the host institution is located, if necessary)
2. Visa fees
3. Travel insurance charges
4. Basic living costs
5. Accommodation cost (guest house of the institution or rented flat if possible).
6. Maximum four (4) Taxi fares (on submission of receipts) may be allowed to travel between the residence and the airport/railway station (upon arrival and departure).

Maximum support per grantee is USD 5,000 (the money is transfered in EURO).

All invoices including all boarding tickets have to be kept by the grantee and be sent (original) to the CDC/ IMU Secretariat by regualar mail. Unspent funds have to be returned to CDC.

Selection Committee

The Grant Selection Committee (GSC) consists of the CDC Secretary for Grants Selection as Chair and has six other members, three from CDC and three others each representing Latin America, Africa and Asia respectively.

The applications are circulated to the GSC through the IMU Secretariat in Berlin, Germany.

Application

 In order to apply please take the following steps:

1. Please fill out and submit the online application form for the IMU-Simons Programs.
2. Then send the application with all requested documents (two CVs: of the host and the applicant, detailed Research plan, invitation letter by the host institution, letter by the home institution, budget details (in EURO)) as one joint pdf document to CDC Grants via email <cdc.grants@mathunion.org>.

The application form can be found here:

http://www.mathunion.org/cdc/grants/online-application-form-and-online-report-form/

If your application is NOT completed by the deadline, it CANNOT be considered for evaluation. Please send your application at least two weeks in advance so it can be checked. 

For more information visit:

http://www.mathunion.org/cdc/grants/imu-simons-african-fellowship-program/

 

 

9th Pan African Congress of Mathematicians (PACOM 2017)

The African Mathematical Union (AMU) in collaboration with the Moroccan Mathematical Community under the auspices of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the University Mohammed V Rabat is pleased to announce to all the Mathematical scientists in Africa and other parts of the world the 9th Pan African Congress of Mathematicians (PACOM 2017) to be held in Rabat, Morocco from 3 to 7 July 2017.The Congress will be based on the theme : "Mathematics at the heart of technological innovation and economic development of Africa”.

Scientific Program :
The core of the scientific program is decided by a Screening Committee appointed among the PACOM 2O17 Scientific Committee members. There will be invited plenary lectures (1h), invited lectures in parallel sessions (45mn), lectures by Prize winners (30mn) (like AMU Prize, AMMSI-Phillip Griffiths Prize and other Prices devoted to young African mathematicians), short presentations (20mn), as well as contributed poster sessions. The subject areas to be covered at the congress are :

1. Algebra and Number Theory
2. Real, Complex, Harmonic and Functional Analysis
3. ODE, PDE, Dynamical systems and Control Theory
4. Topology / geometry-Algebraic and Differential
5. Representation Theory of groups and algebras
6. Probability and Statistics
7. Numerical and Applied Mathematics
8. Mathematical modeling, Biomathematics, Econometrics, Engineering etc. . .
9. Mathematical Physics
10. Mathematics Education and History of Mathematics

Grant and Financial Support:
In order to ensure large African participation in the PACOM 2017, a limited number of grants will be offered for some participants across the continent who may not be able to secure support elsewhere, particularly for young mathematicians.
 
For more information visit: 
http://www.fsr.ac.ma/PACOM2017/index.php