
Mathematical sciences for climate change resilience (MS4CR)
The World Bank has estimated that climate change will have negative impacts for some 100 million people worldwide. As many as 43 million people in Africa alone face increased prospects of severe droughts, floods, and storms threatening their health and economic security. African scientists have an important contribution to make in understanding the scope and scale of these problems and developing innovative solutions for policymakers and practitioners. Despite some progress, the number of African scientists remains relatively small. Further efforts are needed to develop Africa’s scientific talent and to retain scientists in Africa.
This project will support the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences’ Next Einstein Initiative (AIMS-NEI) in building a critical mass of mathematical scientists to contribute to climate change solutions for Africa. This will be achieved through training, internship placements in government, industry, and intergovernmental organizations, and research grants, with a special emphasis on women mathematical scientists. There will also be support for the consolidation of the operations of AIMS and its expansion across the continent, including reaching further into francophone Africa.
AIMS alumni have gone on to apply their mathematical skills in many ways to address a number of Africa’s development challenges and to contribute solutions to African industry. By building on such successes, the Government of Canada’s investment will ensure greater impact of the AIMS model and advance its vision to transform Africa.
Outputs
![]() Mathematical sciences for climate change resilience (MS4CR) : mid-term evaluation Evaluation
The mid-term evaluation seeks to assess the implementation and early results achieved by the MS4CR program, inform the final two years of implementation, and provide recommendations on how best to attain program objectives for greater impact. Author(s): African Institute for Mathematical Sciences - Next Einstein Initiative Foundation (UK) |
![]() Launch of the MS4CR publication of African women in climate science event report Report
Together with the support of the IDRC, the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) launched the Mathematical Sciences for Climate Resilience in Africa Project (MS4CR) to respond to climate change while also promoting more women in climate science. AIMS celebrated the International Day for Girls and Women in Science (2019) by launching a publication for women in climate science “New Interventions for a Changing World: Celebrating African Women Scientists on the Frontlines of Climate Change.” Climate change is the most significant global challenge of our time, and one that disproportionately affects African women and girls. Author(s): Baudisch-McCabe, Misha, Musoke, Francis Language: English |
![]() Building bridges between Canadian and African women in STEM Ottawa, Canada March 25-26, 2019 Report
The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) supported the African and Canadian Women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) conference in Ottawa (2019). This report provides details of the workshop. It became apparent that women are facing many of the same barriers in Canada as they are across Africa. Bringing together African and Canadian female scientists led to animated discussion around current challenges and barriers informing the gender gap in STEM and how women’s participation in the STEM sector both in Canada and across Africa can be increased. Author(s): Baudisch-McCabe, Misha Language: English |
![]() Consultancy services for the mid-term evaluation of the mathematical sciences for climate resilience (MS4CR) programme at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) Evaluation
This final report constitutes the final deliverable in the mid-term evaluation of the AIMS MS4CR programme (hereafter referred to as “the MTE”). As per the agreement between IDRC/GAC and the AIMS Secretariat, this external evaluation was commissioned to review and document results from the MS4CR. The evaluation is both summative and formative in nature. It covers the period 2017-2020. The present report follows a data collection phase conducted from March to June 2021. It was drafted based on an extensive desk review, data analysis, bibliometric analysis, interviews with around 40 stakeholders, a peer review of the curricula, and a learning workshop organised September 15th. The evaluation concludes that the AIMS MS4CR programme is highly relevant and is performing satisfactorily. Despite problems at the programme’s inception, and difficulties associated with COVID 19, most elements of the programme have started and have achieved their first results. Author(s): Kouacou, Karine, Toure, Makany, van der Veen, Geert, Sadeski, Francie, Seawert, Aurélien Language: English |
![]() New interventions for a changing world celebrating African women scientists on the frontlines of climate change Paper
Through this publication we seek to promote awareness of the valuable contributions that African women can and are making to science, particularly climate science, and promote the incredible stories of female African climate scientists to inspire younger generations of students to pursue STEM careers, including climate science. They serve as important role models. Author(s): Zomahoun, Thierry Language: English |
![]() Approximate quasiorthogonality of operator algebras and relative quantum privacy Article
The paper shows the approximate quasiorthogonality of two operator algebras. The analysis is based on a characterization of the measure of orthogonality in terms of Choi matrices and Kraus operators for completely positive maps. Examples are drawn from different areas of quantum information. In mathematics, orthogonality is the generalization of the notion of perpendicularity to the linear algebra of bilinear forms. In the context of quantum information theory, the operators {Vi} are called the Kraus operators. Author(s): Kribs, David W., Levick, Jeremy, Nelson, Mike, Pereira, Rajesh, Rahaman, Mizanur Language: English |
![]() Vector representations of graphs and distinguishing quantum product states with one-way LOCC Article
Distinguishing sets of quantum states shared by two parties using only local operations and classical communication (LOCC) measurements is a fundamental topic in quantum information. The article introduces a graph-theoretic approach, specifically based on the theory of vector representations of graphs, to the core problem of distinguishing product states with one-way LOCC. A number of results show how distinguishing such states can be framed in terms of properties of the underlying graphs associated with a set of vector product states. Some illustrative examples are presented. Author(s): Kribs, David W., Mintah, Comfort, Nathanson, Michael, Pereira, Rajesh Language: English |