African mathematicians compete for International Physics Leadership prize

olamide oni

March 29, 2016 1:36 PM

"I would like this scholarship to encourage students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, overcome huge obstacles in their personal development."

Students studying

Mathematicians and scientists across Africa will vied for the American Institute of Physics’ John Torrence Tate Award for International Leadership this year.

The 2016 winner, Prof. Neil Turok, announced that he is donating the monetary portion of the award, a USD 10,000 cash prize, to the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS).

The donation will be used to initiate the Thierry Zomahoun Scholarship at AIMS, which will be awarded upon graduation to an African student currently taking the AIMS Masters at one of AIMS five centres of excellence. Thierry Zomahoun has served as President and CEO of the AIMS organisation for the past five years.

"I would like this scholarship to encourage students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, overcome huge obstacles in their personal development, and show outstanding commitment to creating a better future for others,” said Turok. “Thierry was a street kid who gained three Masters degrees and became an incredible manager and development leader. Africa needs more Thierrys!”

READ:

“I can think of no better way to pay tribute to this honour, and to John Torrance Tate (who established the world’s top physics journal), than to support an AIMS scholarship in Thierry’s name. I hope this will encourage other donors to follow suit.”

“This is a great honour,” said Zomahoun. “I am humbled by this scholarship in my name. We are determined to transform Africa into the next global hub for science. All forms of scientific endeavour and especially those that produce tangible results will be encouraged with the aim being to solve challenges in Africa and around the world.”

olamide oni