West African Mathematical Network

West African Mathematical Network
Name	West African Mathematical Network
Abbreviation	WANM
Formation	1970s
Type	Regional scientific network
Headquarters	Accra
Region served	West Africa
Languages	English, French, Portuguese
Leader title	Director

West African Mathematical Network

The West African Mathematical Network is a regional association connecting mathematicians across Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali and neighboring states to promote research, teaching and collaboration in mathematical sciences. Founded to link scholars from universities such as the University of Ghana, University of Ibadan, Cheikh Anta Diop University and Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, the Network fosters exchanges between research centers, funding agencies and policy institutions. Its activities intersect with initiatives led by organizations like the International Mathematical Union, the African Academy of Sciences, the World Bank and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation on regional development.

History and Founding

The Network traces origins to meetings involving faculty from University of Lagos, Fourah Bay College, Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Ahmadu Bello University and University of Dakar during the 1970s and 1980s, influenced by contacts with the International Centre for Theoretical Physics, the Royal Society, the French National Centre for Scientific Research and delegations from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Early patrons included academics affiliated with the University of Cambridge, Princeton University, University of Paris, University of Oxford and research groups connected to the European Mathematical Society. Key formative events paralleled conferences at venues such as the African Mathematical Union congresses and workshops sponsored by the Beijing Mathematical Society and the American Mathematical Society.

Mission and Objectives

The Network's charter aligns with principles advanced by the International Mathematical Union and the African Academy of Sciences to strengthen capacity at institutions like the University of Ibadan and University of Ghana, support doctoral training at centers such as University of Cape Coast and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and bridge links to international funders including the World Bank, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Wellcome Trust. Objectives cite collaboration with universities such as Université Cheikh Anta Diop, research institutes like the Institute of Mathematics and Applied Statistics, and policy partners like the African Union, Economic Community of West African States and regional ministries.

Programs and Activities

Activities include summer schools modeled after programs at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics and the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute, research seminars patterned on exchanges at University of Cambridge and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and grant schemes similar to awards from the Royal Society and the Leverhulme Trust. The Network runs workshops in applied fields that intersect with projects at Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut Pasteur, National Institute of Health, and collaborates on curriculum reform with faculties from Makerere University, University of Nairobi and Stellenbosch University. It organizes conferences comparable to meetings of the American Mathematical Society, the European Mathematical Society and the African Mathematical Union.

Membership and Governance

Members come from universities such as University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Abuja, University of Lagos, University of Ghana and research centers like Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noire and Centre de Physique Théorique. Governance structures reflect models used by the International Mathematical Union, the African Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society with an elected council, advisory board featuring representatives linked to Princeton University, University of Oxford, University of Paris and liaison roles to regional bodies like ECOWAS and national education ministries.

Collaborations and Partnerships

The Network partners with institutions such as the International Mathematical Union, the African Academy of Sciences, the World Bank, the Wellcome Trust and foundations including the Ford Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation. Academic collaborations involve University of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sorbonne University, Université de Montréal and regional universities including Cheikh Anta Diop University, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny and University of Ibadan. Project-level partners include Institut Pasteur, CSIR, National Institutes of Health, UNESCO offices and continental platforms such as the African Union and Economic Community of West African States.

Impact and Outreach

The Network has supported doctoral research at institutions like University of Ghana, University of Lagos and Université Cheikh Anta Diop, contributed to curriculum reforms akin to efforts at University of Cape Town and Makerere University, and enabled exchanges with centers such as the International Centre for Theoretical Physics and the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute. Outreach efforts include school competitions inspired by the International Mathematical Olympiad, teacher training programs modeled on initiatives by the Royal Society and policy briefings to bodies like ECOWAS, African Union and national education ministries.

Notable Members and Alumni

Notable academics associated with the Network include faculty who have held positions at University of Ibadan, University of Ghana, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Ahmadu Bello University and visiting scholars from University of Cambridge, Princeton University, University of Oxford, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Université Paris-Saclay. Alumni have taken roles at organizations such as the African Academy of Sciences, the International Mathematical Union, national universities across West Africa and international research centers like the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute and the International Centre for Theoretical Physics.

Category:African scientific organizations