Media

OTTAWA, October 26, 2010  —  The University of Ottawa, in collaboration with the Next Einstein Initiative (NEI) Foundation of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), signed today a unique agreement supporting the education of Africa’s brightest students.

This new alliance will support the development of AIMS-Sénégal and will enable Africa’s brightest students to gain the high-level scientific and technical skills they need to ensure Africa’s future economic, educational and technological self-sufficiency. By offering training to gifted students, AIMS-Sénégal hopes to uncover people of rare creative talent capable of the scientific and technical breakthroughs which will serve the world.

The University of Ottawa will provide total funding of $250,000 ($50,000 a year for 5 years) to the AIMS-NEI Foundation, to be used exclusively for the development of AIMS-Sénégal and its students once AIMS-Sénégal opens its new centre. Under this agreement, the University of Ottawa will also provide strategic advice and guidance on all governance and academics-related questions, as a member of the AIMS–Sénégal Council.

This agreement is the result of collaboration between the University of Ottawa and the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, which, through its Global Outreach program, serves as the North American coordinating partner for AIMS-NEI, facilitating the participation of other public and private partners in this project.

AIMS-NEI has chosen Senegal because of its strong academic institutions and because of its historical and strategic role in the evolution of pan-Africanism. Senegal’s government champions science, technology and innovation for the development of Africa. Universities in Senegal are keen and ready to forge partnerships with international research and development communities.