In July 2015, the University of Chicago and the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) signed a partnership to bring UChicago faculty members and scientists from Argonne National Laboratory to AIMS Centers. The partnership encourages UChicago faculty to collaborate with AIMS faculty in the development of new curriculum and experimental program content, and to explore joint research projects and future academic collaborations. The program is also designed to help UChicago faculty identify prospective students and invite them to apply to UChicago graduate programs. (Read the news article here.)
The AIMS-Next Einstein Initiative is a pan-African network that offers outstanding training in the mathematical sciences to African students. Its goal is to advance critical inquiry and creative thinking, and to develop well-rounded scientists who can contribute to expanding scientific knowledge and applications across the African continent and around the world.
AIMS institutes are extremely selective and all students are provided with full scholarships, which include travel, room and board. Graduates of AIMS have gone on to pursue graduate degrees in various fields in the United States and Europe. AIMS is currently located in six countries:South Africa, Ghana, Cameroon, Senegal, Tanzania, and Rwanda. For more information, see http://www.nexteinstein.org/.
Academic Structure
The academic year at AIMS centers consists of three phases: the skills, review, and research phases, each subdivided into modular three-week blocks. Following the completion of these phases, the students carry out an individual research project lasting 10 weeks. The research phase ends with the students presenting the findings of their research project in a written report as well as orally in front of an examination committee. The academic year at AIMS ends with a graduation ceremony, at which successful students are granted the degree of Master of Science in Mathematical Sciences.
See this Curriculum Structure for more details AIMS Structured Masters_curriculum.pdf
STUDENTS
FACULTY
PRECEPTORS/TUTORS
Faculty members and Master’s students are supported by advanced doctoral student preceptors, or tutors, who attend assigned classes, give tutorials, offer supplemental lectures, and work individually and in groups with students.