Search begins for 'African Einstein'
5 May 2008
Distinguished scientists and engineers from home and abroad are expected at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences' (AIMS) public lecture in Cape Town on 11 May, which features British physicist Stephen Hawking, best known for his works on cosmology, quantum gravity and black holes.
Titled Universe, the lecture will take place at 6pm, in the Muizenberg Pavilion, and is Hawking's first-ever public lecture on the African continent. It will also feature talks by two Nobel Prize Laureates in Physics, David Gross and George Smoot and current NASA administrator Michael Griffin, while Education Minister Naledi Pandor will also be present.
In a statement by the institute this week, AIMS founder and chairperson Professor Neil Turok said the public lecture was part of an initiative to unlock and nurture scientific talent across Africa, so as to find an "African Einstein" within our lifetime.
Turok, a professor of mathematical physics at Cambridge University launched the initiative earlier this year, after winning the globally renowned Technology, Entertainment and Design (TED) prize.
So far, he said that there had been an overwhelmingly positive response from scientists, major companies, universities and leading political figures worldwide.
"We are honoured to host and listen to the most famous living scientist on the planet," said AIMS director Professor Fritz Hahne of Hawking, whose books have inspired movies and made the general population aware of the complex, yet fascinating area of theoretical physics.
"Hawking is thought of as the greatest mind in physics since Albert Einstein," Hahne said. "With similar interests - discovering the deepest workings of the universe - he communicates mysterious matters not just to other physicists but also to the general public."
Building capacity
Established in Muizenberg in 2003, the goals of AIMS are to promote mathematics and science in Africa, recruit and train talented students and teachers and build capacity for African initiatives in education, research, and technology.
According to the institute, the quality of the students has grown strongly, with over six applications currently received for each available place. Global interest and goodwill allows AIMS to recruit from the best lecturers worldwide and AIMS graduates have an exceptional record of proceeding to excellent Masters and PhD programmes, where they are already making an impact in many fields.
"The institute's remarkable staff, outstanding lecturers and highly- motivated students have created a gem of an educational centre," Turok said. "We are looking forward to welcoming some of the world's top scientists to Africa. Their presence will help encourage Africa's brightest maths and science graduates to enter programmes like AIMS, where they can grow into independent problem-solvers, creative thinkers, innovators and excellent teachers, not ivory tower academics."
An African Einstein
Over the past four years, AIMS has graduated 160 students from 30 African countries. A further 53 students are currently at AIMS, including 20 women, from 20 different African countries.
"Among them will be people of rare genius capable of revolutionary advances, as scientists, educators, wealth-creators and active participants in the knowledge economy," Turok said.
"Together they will form a powerful network working together towards African educational and economic self-sufficiency. As well as an African Einstein, we want to see the African Gates, Brins and Pages of the future."
Sergey Brin and Larry Page founded Google, the world's most successful internet search engine, while Bill Gates is a co-founder of software company Microsoft.
Tickets for the public lecture are available at Computicket or by calling +27 (0)83 915 8000.
Neil Turok's talk at TED, with online discussion and over 21 000 views, at the TED website or on YouTube
