In a significant milestone, sixty young Africans have graduated from the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) Ghana, having successfully completed the two-year MSc in Mathematical Sciences for Teachers (MMST) program. Launched in November 2020 with support from the Government of Ghana, this innovative program provides specialized training for mathematics teachers, conducted on a part-time basis with a hybrid learning curriculum.

Dr. Prince Osei, AIMS Ghana’s Centre President, emphasized that the Centre is dedicated to promoting scientific excellence and innovation. Under the UNESCO Category II agreement, the Institute focuses on developing methodologies and practical tools to enhance STEM education and research. The MMST program is a key component of AIMS Ghana’s postgraduate training modules, designed to equip secondary-level mathematics teachers with 21st-century skills. This initiative aims to improve content delivery and teaching methodologies, ensuring an in-depth understanding of mathematical foundations and modern applications relevant to secondary school curricula. The program is structured into four semester hybrid courses, including a project-based research component.

The recent graduation ceremony celebrated the achievements of 38 male and 22 female graduates from four African countries, with degrees awarded in affiliation with the University of Cape Coast (UCC). Dignitaries at the event included Prof. F. K. Nunoo, Director General for the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), who delivered a speech on behalf of the Minister for Education. He highlighted the government’s efforts to boost STEM education across the country and congratulated the graduates on their accomplishments. He also emphasized the support of the Education Ministry, assuring the teachers that with their recently acquired skills under the MMST Program, the relevant resources would be provided to improve the overall classroom experience. He also stated that the teachers who may have need would have more employment opportunities made available to them.

George Owusu was honored as the Valedictorian, and Elizabeth Mensah received the “Emmy Noether” award for best performing female student. With AIMS Ghana’s alumni body of 589 students from 26 African countries, including 33% females, Dr. Osei underscored the crucial role of African youth in the coming decade. He highlighted the AIMS Network’s mission to prepare them for global leadership in science. He also noted in relation to AIMS Ghana that the institute graduated 118 students in mathematical sciences in 2024 alone, breaking its previous record of 100 graduates in 2022.

Looking forward, AIMS Ghana plans to recruit at least 100 students for the third cohort of the MMST program and 60 students for the regular master’s program next year. Additionally, the institute will expand the Girls in Mathematical Sciences Program (GMSP) to reach about 1,000 young girls annually and launch new programs targeting professionals, with potential undergraduate courses in artificial intelligence, data science, and computational finance.

AIMS Ghana remains grateful to its funding and academic partners for their unwavering support and presence at the graduation ceremony and is committed to upholding excellence in mathematical science education across Ghana and in Africa at large.