Professor Maurice Tchuente represented the Minister of Higher Education at the convocation in Limbe July 10.

The pioneer batch of 36 mathematics students from 12 African countries has passed out of the Limbe-based African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS).

The graduates, aged between 24 and 28, earned testimonials for Structural Masters Degrees in Mathematical Sciences after one year of intensive and extensive studies under professors from some 16 African countries.

The first batch with 12 females all succeeded 100 per cent.

At the solemn ceremony to graduate the mathematicians in Limbe, 10 July, Professor Maurice Tchuente who represented the Minister of Higher Education explained that the vision for creating AIMS in Cameroon was to meet with the network started in Cape Town (South Africa) in 2003 to enable Africa’s brightest students to flourish as independent thinkers, problem solvers and innovators capable of propelling Africa’s future scientific, educational, and economic self-sufficiency.

He said AIMS-Cameroon is the fourth centre of excellence within the AIMS network in Africa.

Professor Tchuente praised President Paul Biya for enabling such an initiative that remains in line with the greater achievement policy and vision 2035.

To gain admission into the AIMS-Limbe, the candidate should be a Master’ Degree holder in Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry and should apply on-line through the AIMS web site.

The chief sponsors of the programme include the participating governments, Great Britain, Canada and Germany.

The 36 graduates of AIMS- Limbe have now joined the network of some 700 graduates from similar institutions to include South Africa and Ghana.

Many of the Limbe graduates have already won scholarships to take PhD courses in foreign and local universities.

Academic dons and administrative authorities including the Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea, Dr. Nalova Lyonga, the South West Secretary General at the Governor's Office, Clement Fon Ndikum and the academic Director of AIMS-Cameroon, Professor Mama Foupouagnigni were on hand to grace the occasion.