Thuli warns grads on integrity

AFRICA’s brightest young mathematicians were celebrated when receiving their Master’s Degrees in Mathematical Sciences at an African Institute for Mathematical Science (AIMS) graduation ceremony yesterday.

The 40 students also received advice from former public protector Thuli Madonsela, who now is the chair in Social Justice in the Law Faculty of Stellenbosch University and member of the AIMS International board of directors.

She also delivered a keynote address at the event at the AIMS centre in Muizenberg.

“I want to warn you about the need for integrity, because in this world there is always the desire to be first.

“Do the right thing, but be honest in what you do.

‘‘Remember as you take Africa forward, the end doesn’t justify the means. You are the masters of your own fate and the fate of Africa lies in your next move and my next move,” said Madonsela.

The programme was initiated by Professor Neil Turok more than a decade ago.

Madonsela said more than 50% of South Africans were poor, with unemployment over 50% and inequality growing. She encouraged graduates to work with the government to help society.

“You must help policymakers to calculate the impact of their policies and pull together the right data to predict the future. We need you guys to have an invictus,” she added.

The graduation’s other activities included video presentations by Professor Turok about the founding of AIMS, as well as a video presentation about AIMS experiences shared by a past and present graduate.

Do the right thing, but be honest in what you do

The total number of AIMS graduates since 2003 was 757, of which 34% were women.

During the ceremony AIMS-endowed scholarships were awarded to a number of top achievers.

AIMS is a centre for education and research in Cape Town.

It was established as a partnership project of six universities, including Cambridge, Cape Town, Oxford and Paris Sud XI.