Michelle Jones
Education Writer
A GROUP of mathematical sciences graduates have been urged by former president Kgalema Motlanthe to use what they have learnt to create real change in Africa.
“Societies that fare badly in those key knowledge areas are unlikely to make headway in the modern world,” he said while speaking at a graduation ceremony for the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (Aims) yesterday.
“Africa’s greatest resource is its people. If Africa is to ever jump-start its development to be on par with other developed nations, it will have to invest in its own people. In consequence, there can be no effective investment in Africa’s future without education which empowers talented young people to contribute to their country’s development.”
Motlanthe said without maths, which underpinned most of modern life, it would be impossible to solve the problems of South Africa and the rest of Africa. “Knowledge requires application to make it truly valuable. I challenge you to now go back and apply what you learned at Aims,” he said.
The graduation ceremony was held at Muizenberg Pavilion for the 49 students from all over Africa who received their Master’s in mathematical sciences.
Aims is part of a network of centres of excellence for postgraduate education, research and outreach in the mathematical sciences which finds top students and provides them with international training and the opportunity to practise their skills. It was formed as a partnership between six universities – the University of the Western Cape, UCT, Stellenbosch University, the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford and University of Paris-Sud.
Former student Matthews Sejeso said his time at Aims had taught him many things, but three stood out.
“Commitment, communication and passion are three of the most important things I learnt at Aims and will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
He described growing up in rural North West in poverty, without access to proper health and education.
“At Aims all students get together under the common theme of gaining knowledge. It was the first time I have ever seen students committed to what they are doing and passionate about their studies.”
Sejeso, who was continuing his studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, said there were three major challenges facing Africa – poverty and ineffective health care and education.
“Our degrees will not be realised unless they are geared toward solving the problems of our continent.”