Focus Areas

The Institute for Mathematical Sciences and Applications will broadly focus on the following five focus areas.

POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION

The primary objective of postgraduate education in the mathematical sciences is to produce highly trained and sufficiently skilled postgraduates with the breadth and depth of knowledge in their chosen specialty disciplines that will empower them to serve the various sectors of the National System of Innovation.

Research

The Institute for Mathematical Sciences and Applications will promote research in the mathematical sciences in all its dimensions: basic, applied and strategic. It will promote the unity of the mathematical sciences through, for example interdisciplinary research.

INSTITUTIONS AND PEOPLE EMPOWERMENT

Historically disadvantaged institutions have collectively received a tiny fraction of the research grants awarded by the NRF. It is the aim of IMSA to address these systemic challenges which will need a coordinated effort and dedicated investment from funding instruments within government departments and private sector.

MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES FOR THE NATIONAL SYSTEM OF INNOVATION

From breakthrough science to real-world impact, mathematics provides the foundation South Africa needs to meet its Decadal Plan priorities i.e. climate sustainability, education and work, and the future of society.

knowledge exchange

Advanced maths underpins SA’s key sectors, from finance and healthcare to AI. IMSA will be motivating for a national study to quantify its economic impact as done in several studies in Europe.

POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION
RESEARCH
INSTITUTIONS AND PEOPLE EMPOWERMENT
MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES FOR THE NATIONAL SYSTEM OF INNOVATION
KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE

POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION

There is a need to develop a better understanding of the needs of the National System of Innovation as well as the shape and size of the national mathematical sciences landscape in order to develop appropriate training programmes. IMSA will explore existing and emerging opportunities in postgraduate training in order to achieve some of its objectives.

RESEARCH

Research in the traditionally research-focused universities is generally of a high quality. However, there is a need for greater participation and involvement from a wider community of researchers. It is also noted that a few areas of pure mathematical research have become narrowly specialised and disconnected from the international mainstream.

INSTITUTIONS AND PEOPLE EMPOWERMENT

Globally and locally, mathematical sciences research is a male-dominated enterprise. Since the inception of the National Research Foundation (NRF) rating system (1983/1984), there has only been one female mathematical scientist who has been awarded an A-rating and no more than ten have been B-rated. Internationally, the first time a Fields medal was awarded to a female mathematician was in 2014 and out of the 51 that have been awarded since inception, only two have been awarded to women. Only one female has received the prestigious Abel Prize in Mathematics, out of a total of 27 awarded. One of IMSA’s strategic projects will be to increase the number of women in mathematical sciences.

Historically disadvantaged institutions have collectively received a tiny fraction of the research grants awarded by the NRF. Addressing these systemic challenges will need a coordinated effort and dedicated investment from funding instruments within government departments and private sector.

Early career mathematical scientists are widely recognised as being potential creators of great science that can result in improving the quality of life of communities and societies. It is in the interests of science and university systems globally to determine how they can facilitate the success of our next generation of mathematical scientists, through collaborations with senior researchers, on a national and international platform. Early career scientists must be encouraged to pursue research careers in mathematical sciences. They are after all the bedrock of and essential for the future health and vibrancy of mathematical sciences across the globe. IMSA will work to enable funding opportunities and foster collaborations for early-career mathematical scientists.

MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES FOR THE NATIONAL SYSTEM OF INNOVATION

It is irrefutable that the mathematical sciences form the basis of the basic sciences and have fuelled some of the major breakthroughs in the other sciences. There are many examples of the role of the mathematical sciences in fuelling innovation and development. These provide powerful evidence that the mathematical sciences will form the backbone of most of the initiatives that have been launched or are being planned in South Africa. The success of these should be anchored in a solid foundation of the mathematical sciences. The Decadal Plan has identified three societal grand challenges, namely (a) climate change and environmental sustainability, (b) the future of education, skills, and work, and (c) the future of society. The examples provide ample proof that the mathematical sciences touch on all three in fundamental and critical ways.

KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE

Globally, areas of the modern economy which are highly dependent on advanced high-end skills and research in the mathematical sciences include finance and banking; insurance; healthcare and medicine; manufacturing and industry; energy and utilities; transportation and logistics; technology and telecommunications, retail and consumer services; artificial intelligence and machine learning. The sectors form the backbone of the South African economy. Studies have been undertaken in some European countries that look at the impact of mathematical sciences research on local economies. IMSA will be motivating for a similar study to be conducted for South Africa as no such study exists for the country.