The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences – Ghana (AIMS Ghana) has launched Africa’s first Data Analytics Hybrid Internship Hub to bolster graduate employability in Africa.

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

Over 60% of graduates from AIMS have continued their studies in prestigious universities worldwide in mathematics-related fields. In the 2019/20 academic year, AIMS Ghana hosted the AIMS-ESMT Industry Immersion Programme which saw 15 students coming together to study for the certification of a Mini MBA, which was issued by the European School of Management and Technology, Berlin.

Following the success of the 2019/20 cohorts, AIMS Ghana recruited 13 students for the 2020/21academic year. The students have successfully graduated after completing the programme and are now AIMS-ESMT Fellows.

Delivering the keynote address at the Alisa Swiss Hotel, the Deputy Minister of Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour stated that AIMS Ghana is one of the very relevant, and high performing institutions, under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, partnering to ensure that Africa can produce men and women who have the skills and competencies required to solve some of the most complex challenges in economics, transportation, education, agriculture, and many other issues facing the world today.

“It is our view as a Ministry that we want to scale up these interventions, which is why in particular, I am excited to be at the launch of the Hybrid Internship Hub Programme. As a country, we have a median age of 21.5% with majority of our population being very youthful, presenting us an opportunity to be able to transform these talents from their raw states.

“We are mandated by SDG 4 to ensure that we have access to quality education for all, which is why at all levels, the Education Transformation Agenda of President Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo, which very much resonates with Hon. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum – the Minister for Education, is all-encompassing, not leaving any cycle behind.”

Rev. Ntim Fordjour further indicated that the Ministry of Education has developed a strategic education plan for the country, to reverse the existing 60%: 40% Humanity to STEM ratio in Ghana’s education sector by the year 2030.

He said there will not be the need to train students in mathematical skills if there are no strategies in place to deliberately link academia and industry.

The Chief Operating Officer of the Centre, Adelaide Asante, in her welcome address assured partner industries that with the Hybrid Hub programme, they are getting the crème de la crème of Africa’s postgraduate data analysts who are keen and passionate about applying the knowledge in Mathematical Sciences acquired at AIMS Ghana to assist in solving key problems.

“The COVID 19 pandemic has been challenging all of us to be creative and innovative about the way we operate and function. The hybrid nature of the programme means that interns can work remotely for companies or work on site if required.” Ms. Adelaide Asante stated.

The guest speaker, Johnnie Allotey of mPharma, coincidentally, a relative of the late Prof. Francis Allotey, founding father of AIMS Ghana, stated he immediately bought into the idea of the Hybrid Hub Internship Programme, when he was introduced to it.

This is as a result of the spectacular performance of one AIMS-ESMT IIP alumni – Seidu Tahiru, using knowledge gained in the programme to analyse data for the company’s growth.

“Today, I can proudly say that mPharma is trudging on the path that our patients cannot fathom living without such a technology-driven healthcare company. All thanks to Data Analytics” he said.

Mr. Allotey urged all captains of industry to take advantage of this programme as, according to him, the initiative could not have come at a better time.

Industry partners present at the launch included institutions from the Banking and Finance, Insurance, Pharmaceuticals Corporate Innovation Labs and Parastatal Organizations.

AIMS Ghana was 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 capital and skills STEM for sustainable growth. AIMS Ghana is building on a solid foundation of excellence, working with government and the private sector.