About

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About

About

Launched in 2013, the Next Einstein Forum (NEF), an initiative of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), was born out of a recognition that there was no gathering on African soil where the very best actors had the opportunity to come together from their diverse communities of science, industry, civil society and policy, from Africa and around the world, to leverage science for global development.

The Next Einstein Forum’s mission is achieved along four major pillars. First through NEF Global Gatherings which are exciting biennial global events where the world of science and technology meet on African soil to unveil breakthroughs in science, respond to existing challenges and look to the future.

Second, through important benchmarking and roadmapping work, the NEF Policy and Foresight Institute tracks outcomes of the NEF Global Gathering Declarations, as well as championing policy initiatives such as the digital economy road mapping with focus on increasing Africa’s scientific capacity and building knowledge-based economies in Africa.

Third, the NEF is building a strong community of scientists which includes NEF Fellows, Africa’s top scientists under 42 years of age, and NEF Ambassadors. The NEF Ambassadors, local STEM champions in every country in Africa, organize Africa Science Week in their country each year.

Finally, the NEF is working to make science cool and a scientific career, a first choice. The NEF runs the Scientific African Journal, an open access and multidisciplinary journal that enables African scientists to publish their important research. Alongside the journal, the Scientific African Magazine documents science and technology developments in Africa and from Africans for the general public.

About Global Gathering

NEF Global Gatherings (GGs) are exciting global events where the world of science and technology meet on African soil to unveil breakthroughs in science, respond to existing challenges and look to the future. The NEF Global Gathering does this through unique panels and discovery sessions, exclusive investor lunches with top end talents, and uniquely relevant pre- conferences and side-events.

The NEF Global Gathering 2018 brought together over 1500 participants (close to 40% women) from 91 countries. The Kigali Declaration captures the resolutions and recommendations of the 2018 edition.

The virtual NEF Global Gathering 2020 will take us a step further. Under the theme “Building Africa’s resilience through education, research and innovation”, this online edition will assess the impact of COVID-19 on critical socio-economic sectors, highlighting best practices in pandemic response and underscoring the crucial role of the digital economy in driving Africa’s resilience and transformation.

NEF Innovation Salon

NEF Global Gatherings (GGs) are exciting global events where the world of science and technology meet on African soil to unveil breakthroughs in science, respond to existing challenges and look to the future. The NEF Global Gathering does this through unique panels and discovery sessions, exclusive investor lunches with top end talents, and uniquely relevant pre- conferences and side-events.

The NEF Global Gathering 2018 brought together over 1500 participants (close to 40% women) from 91 countries. The Kigali Declaration captures the resolutions and recommendations of the 2018 edition.

The virtual NEF Global Gathering 2020 will take us a step further. Under the theme “Building Africa’s resilience through education, research and innovation”, this online edition will assess the impact of COVID-19 on critical socio-economic sectors, highlighting best practices in pandemic response and underscoring the crucial role of the digital economy in driving Africa’s resilience and transformation.

GG2020 Themes

•Digital Economy •Big Data

•Education •ICT •Partnership •Research •Science Leadership

Science leadership in combating pandemics

  • Preventing future shocks: spotlight on the COVID-19 pooled testing method by AIMS
  • Impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable groups
  • The role of science in informing recovery post-pandemics

Digital economy, innovation and youth employment

  • Imaging, robotics and artificial intelligence
  • Tapping into the virtual workforce
  • Data governance in the management of COVID-19 (data collection, protection and management).

Education, research and partnerships

  • Supporting robust disease prevention through mathematical modelling in Africa
  • Disruptive thinking for resilient educational systems
  • Big data innovations for COVID-19 in Africa (highlight specific big data innovations) 

Connecting Science to Humanity