INES-RUHENGERI is hosting the African Mathematical School

From 18-27 June 2023, INES-Ruhengeri is hosting the African Mathematical School under the theme: " Mathematics Decisions Sciences and Artificial Intelligence in Digital Economy: Contributions of Women in Mathematics". Around 60 participants are students and lecturers from various universities in Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania Uganda, Kenya, and Benin. 

Around 60 participants are students and lecturers

This school and conference present an opportunity to highlight the capabilities of women in Mathematics and Sciences and emphasize the importance of Mathematics in the Digital Economy.

It aims to equip masters and Doctoral students with high-level training, fostering interaction with successful and highly profiled academicians and researchers in Mathematics.

By bringing stakeholders together, this initiative will promote the importance of Mathematics among girls who are expected to join higher learning institutions, thereby gradually bridging the gender gap in STEM subjects.

“We are very grateful and we are expressing our heartfelt to the African Mathematical Union AMU/CIMPA Committee for African Mathematical Schools that has selected our project ‘Mathematics Decisions Sciences and Artificial Intelligence in Digital Economy: Contributions of Women in Mathematics’. Your support and guidance to make this event happen are unforgettable to the memories of INES-Ruhengeri”, Fr. Dr. Jean Bosco Baribeshya, Vice Chancellor of INES-Ruhengeri in his welcoming remarks during the official opening ceremony of 20^th June 2023. 

Fr. Dr. Jean Bosco Baribeshya, Vice Chancellor of INES-Ruhengeri (at the center on the front line) with Mathematics lecturers

Fr. Dr. Jean Bosco Baribeshya, continued recognizing delegations from Rwanda’s partner universities including the College of Sciences and Technology (CST), the College of Education (CE), and the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS). He added also the team from the University of Burundi and the University of Abomey Calavi-Benin.

During the ceremony, participants got an opportunity to hear various speakers including Prof. Alexandre Lyambabaje, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Rwanda who talked about mathematics’ role in human’s daily life.

Prof. Alexandre Lyambabaje linking mathematics and industries at INES

“Mathematics is everywhere in our daily life. Decision makers should encourage young ladies as well as young boys to learn mathematics so that they contribute to the development of Africa”, Prof. Alexandre Lyambabaje while he was delivering a topic related to the link between mathematics and industries.

The Coordinator of the African Mathematical School and Conference, Dr. Charline Uwilingiyimana, Lecturer at INES- Ruhengeri and the Head of the Department of Statistics Applied to Economy said that there is a need to work and improve the gender status in Mathematics because a significant gender gap persists in this area.

“According to the African Development Bank, only 25% of African higher education students pursue STEM subjects, a reality that starkly underlines the existing disparities”, Dr. Charline Uwilingiyimana mentioned.

She went on saying that we must challenge and change societal norms that propagate the myth that girls are less capable in Mathematics or that certain tasks and fields are meant for boys only.

“It is imperative to promote gender sensitivity in teaching, provide scholarships and incentives for girls, and utilize media platforms to break stereotypes”, Dr. Charline added.

Dr. Charline Uwilingiyimana, Coordinator of the African Mathematical School and Conference speaking

Students expressed their joy to participate in this mathematical school where they noticed that Mathematics is the study of order, relation, and pattern. 

The mathematical school will delay for 2 weeks

“We are proud of being in this event where we met with mathematics inspirers. We really got an idea on how to apply mathematics in every activity”, Ruth Ishimwe, Student in Statistics at INES-Ruhengeri.

 Mathematics subject has played a big role in the learning process at INES, especially in the Department of Civil Engineering, Land Survey, Statistics Applied to Economy, Computer Sciences, and other programs available at this Institute of Applied Sciences.

The Executive Secretary of Northern Province, Dr. Geoffrey Mushaija, and the guest of honor at the ceremony hailed the role played by INES- Ruhengeri in the national development in general and in the northern province in particular.  He promised a good collaboration with the Campus and wished the participants a safe stay as well as a fruitful mathematical school. 

Dr. Geoffrey Mushaija (3^rd from the right side) with some other officials after the opening ceremony

This African Mathematical School was organized under financial support from Centre International des Mathématiques Pures et Appliquées (CIMPA), the European Mathematical Society, STEM Power Rwanda, and the General Assembly of INES-Ruhengeri. It will be followed by the African Mathematical Conference which will also take place at INES-Ruhengeri Campus on 28-29 June 2023 under the theme: " Research & Development in Mathematics".