STEM summer academies for gifted students from across Africa
Before opening the African Science Academy, African Gifted Foundation ran a series of Summer Academies in Kampala, Uganda and Accra, Ghana for talented science and maths student across the continent.
Over 200 students attended from 50 different schools across 12 African countries, including Nigeria, Cameroon, South Africa, and Sudan. The Summer Academies explored subjects ranging from space science to computer cryptography with leading lecturers from UK, USA and across Africa.
The Summer Academies highlighted the immense potential of students with a passion for STEM from across Africa. They inspired our Chair, Tom Ilube CBE, to establish a permanent STEM-focused school for gifted students across Africa.
Accra, Ghana (2012 and 2013)
Gifted students from across the continent joined us for our STEM-focused summer academies in Ghana in 2012 and 2013. The academy was supported by ten young volunteers from Cambridge University. Guaranty Trust Bank sponsored the academy, which was hosted at the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT.
Students were taught various subjects such as space science / exploration, cyber-security (codes and ciphers) and global commodities trading by experts in the industries, leading universities in the UK and diverse African countries during the one week camp. The students were also offered the opportunity to tour leading institutions in Ghana, such as GTBank, Valco and Daily Graphic
Kampala, Uganda (2011 and 2012)
We welcomed outstanding students from 9 African countries. The academy took place at Makerere University and was hosted by Dr Mango, Dean of the School of Physical Sciences at Makerere.
Speakers included; Thomas Hagsphil (St Andrews College, South Africa), Dr Nick Moston (Cass Business School), David Cope (Bletchley Park), Dr Simon Roberts (University of Nottingham), UK Space Academy, Oliver Hire and Alesha White (Czarnikow Group), Ashish Thakkar (Mara Group), Harold Wanyaman (East African Chess Champion).
A special prize was awarded to Ocen Paul of Kako Secondary School, Uganda for his outstanding ability and contribution. The prize was sponsored by Czarnikow Group and included a one-week, work-experience trip to work with Czarnikow in London.
Partners and Sponsors
We are immensely grateful to all of the partners and sponsors who made the AGF academies possible.
