Imperial College London and AIMS Rwanda are collaborating to address global challenges through the Global Fellows Programme, hosted by the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) in Rwanda. In this program, students from both institutions, with a focus on diverse disciplines such as Finance and economics, Biomedical Science, Agriculture, Urban Health, and Health Economics and Policy, engage in a five-day professional skills initiative to develop innovative solutions to critical issues in Africa.
The participants, including 15 students from Imperial, undertake a challenge of their choice within the specified sub-themes. The program culminates in project presentations evaluated by a panel of judges, with the strongest proposal selected for further development. This collaborative effort not only fosters interdisciplinary research but also emphasizes intercultural communication, leveraging diverse academic backgrounds for effective teamwork.
Professor Majid Ezzati from Imperial notes the program’s potential for collaboration with top-tier researchers in Africa, addressing crucial issues related to well-being, health, and sustainability. Professor Wilfred Ndifon, President of AIMS Research & Innovation Centre, expresses the aspiration for lasting connections beyond the program’s duration.
The program includes contributions from both AIMS and Imperial coaches, facilitating discussions on post-doctoral opportunities and science entrepreneurship. Visits to the Rwanda Biomedical Centre and the National Bank of Rwanda provide insights into the country’s strategies for addressing challenges.
Participants also benefit from talks on program sub-themes, gaining perspectives on problem-solving approaches in Africa. Beyond academic pursuits, the program offers cultural experiences, including local market trips, museum visits, and a game drive in Akagera National Park.
Imperial PhD student Raul Pacheco highlights the rewarding experience of stepping out of his comfort zone, emphasizing the program’s social aspect. Post-program, some Imperial participants apply for research placements at AIMS Centres through the Global Fellows Fund.
The overall aim of the collaboration is underscored by the Imperial-AIMS Rwanda Global Fellows Programme, which actively encourages doctoral researchers from both institutions to enhance professional, research, and collaborative skills. The five-day program focuses on ‘African Data Science Solutions,’ acknowledging the unique challenges and opportunities for data science on the continent.
Participants engage in interdisciplinary and international groups, coached by experts from partner universities, to address diverse challenges such as education, healthcare, agriculture, corruption, infrastructure, and technology’s ethical aspects. The program aims to empower African researchers to lead in developing data-driven solutions, considering the distinctive context of the continent.
In summary, the Imperial and AIMS Rwanda collaboration, manifested through the Global Fellows Programme, not only seeks to address immediate challenges but also aims to build lasting connections, foster interdisciplinary research, and empower researchers to tackle complex issues through data science solutions in Africa.
The African Research (AR) Index is a comprehensive scholarly directory and database focused explicitly on journal publishers that publish and disseminate African research.
