The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) Ghana will be holding a high-profile virtual forum on 15^th March 2021, to commemorate the International Day of Mathematics which highlights the role Mathematics plays in contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 agenda of the United Nations.

The 14^th of March every year has been set aside to celebrate the beauty and importance of Mathematics and its essential role in human development. The project to have UNESCO proclaim March 14th as the International Day of Mathematics (IDM) was led by the International Mathematical Union (IMU).

The International Day of Mathematics (IDM) celebration expands Pi Day to include the whole spectrum of mathematics. The IDM also seeks to highlight the role of mathematics in organizations, of modern society including economics, finance, health, transport systems, telecommunications etc.. in quest for human well-being.  

Every year a new theme is announced to spice the celebration, spark creativity and bring light to connections between mathematics and all sorts of fields, concepts and ideas.

Following the successful celebration of the maiden IDM in 2020, AIMS Ghana as a UNESCO Centre of Excellence Category II institute will be leading Ghana in celebrating the second IDM under the theme, “Mathematics for a Better World”.

Due to restrictions in mass gathering as a result of the impact of Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s celebration will be held online and streamed on AIMS Ghana Social Media pages (YouTube: AIMS Ghana; Facebook –@aimsgh) from 2pm to 4pm on Monday 15^th March 2021.

The keynote speaker for the celebration is Ghana’s Minister of Education, Hon. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum. High-profile dignitaries including  Mr. Abdourahamane Diallo , UNESCO Representative to Ghana and Prof. Mohammed Salifu, Director-General of Ghana Tertiary Education Commission will be presenting goodwill messages during the virtual celebration.

Activities to celebrate the 2021 International Day of Mathematic shall include:

• Panel discussion on the theme: Mathematics for a Better World by panelists made up of students from the following programmes: AIMS Regular Master; Master for Mathematical Sciences for Teacher (MMST), Girls in Mathematical Sciences Program (GMSP), Africa Master for Machine Intelligence (AMMI) and an alumnus.
• Poster sessions demonstrating the beauty of mathematics in making the World a Better place by AIMS Research Centre
• Picture quotes from students and alumni

The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) is the first non-profit pan-African Centres of Excellence for postgraduate training, research, teacher training and public engagement in mathematics and the allied sciences.  Our mission is to enable Africa’s brightest students to flourish as independent thinkers, problem solvers and innovators capable of propelling Africa’s future scientific, industrial, educational and economic self-sufficiency. Founded in 2003, AIMS currently has six centres across Africa; South Africa, Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon, Tanzania and Rwanda. 

AIMS Ghana is the third node in the AIMS network. Established in 2012 as part of the AIMS Next Einstein Initiative; AIMS Ghana is a partnership between the Government of Ghana and the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences- Next Einstein Initiative.

AIMS Ghana was also upgraded to a UNESCO Centre of Excellence Category II status in 2018.

The partnership focuses on creating an ecosystem of transformation – one that directly enables the transformation of Ghana and Africa by building human capacity and skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

AIMS Ghana is building on a solid foundation of excellence, working with government partners; the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology and the private sector.

The Government of Ghana in agreement with the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO); has upgraded AIMS Ghana to a UNESCO Centre of Excellence Category II status.