Advancing AI Technologies in Africa - AIMS South Africa visits CERI at BMRI
The new cohort of students from the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) and Google DeepMind Fellows visited the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) at the Biomedical Research Institute (BMRI) on Stellenbosch University’s Tygerberg Campus on 28 November.
The visit included a guided tour of CERI’s state-of-the-art facilities and an in-depth introduction to the centre’s work by its director, Prof Tulio de Oliveira.
AIMS is a pan-African network of Centres of Excellence dedicated to postgraduate training in the mathematical sciences, as well as research and public engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Through its programmes, AIMS equips talented students from across the continent to become innovators capable of driving Africa’s scientific, educational, and economic self-sufficiency.
Both the outgoing director of AIMS South Africa, Prof Ulrich Paquet, and the incoming director, Prof Karin-Therese Howell, joined the visit. Prof. Howell has been a key figure within AIMS South Africa in her role as Academic Director, where she has contributed significantly to academic excellence, student development, and the broader advancement of mathematical sciences on the continent.
“It was very inspiring to meet the new cohort of students. In addition to the 40 AI for Science Fellows, AIMS also brought 21 MSc students from the Applied Mathematics Programme,” said Prof de Oliveira, adding that “this collaboration aims to advance AI technologies in Africa.” He noted that such exchanges help strengthen long-term partnerships between research and training institutions.
Reflecting on the day, Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering graduate Lavender Ayako said, “The visit provided a comprehensive insight into how world-class researchers approach emerging health challenges within the context of climate change.”
This news piece was published at the gem!
Click on the image above to read the gem, genomics, epidemics & microbes Vol 8 Issue 10, Nov/Dec 2025, or scan the qrcode.
News date: 2025-12-01
Links:
https://issuu.com/the.gem/docs/the_gem_-_genomics_epidemics_microbes_nov_dec_2025/43?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ
