A Collaborative Effort to Establish a National Centre for Mathematical Sciences in South Africa

In a landmark development for South Africa’s Mathematical sciences, the South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF), in partnership with the National Graduate Academy for Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (NGA(MaSS)) and the DSTI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (CoE-MaSS), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work towards the establishment of a National Centre for Mathematical Sciences. A communiqué was sent to inform the mathematical community of the MOU and its aims.

During a recent meeting between the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI), the National Research Foundation and the leadership of the CoE-MaSS, the department informed the meeting that it had taken note of the grass root development and would extend the funding of the CoE-MaSS to give the organisation an opportunity to align and strengthen itself to launch into a National Centre.

This collaboration aims to unite mathematics, statistics, data science, and mathematics education under a centralised national entity that will advance South Africa’s response to 21st-century challenges.

Building a Sustainable Future for South African Mathematical Sciences

The drive to establish a National Centre for Mathematical Sciences stems from a shared vision to create a sustainable structure that leverages South Africa’s expertise in mathematical sciences to address pressing societal needs. “Over the next 18 months, SAMF, NGA(MaSS), and CoE-MaSS will work together with leaders in academia and industry to explore the Centre’s potential impact and objectives, facilitating consultation with stakeholders across South Africa’s mathematical sciences communities,” says Prof Kerstin Jordaan, SAMF’s Executive Director. “The initiative will bring together expertise from across the country to enhance the role of mathematics in South Africa’s National System of Innovation.”

A Vision Rooted in a Decade of Success

The collaboration builds on longstanding efforts to strengthen the mathematical sciences in South Africa. In 2013, the CoE-MaSS was established to foster inclusive national research collaboration across more than 20 nodes in South Africa. The creation of NGA(MaSS) in 2017 further enhanced these efforts, particularly in graduate and doctoral training. In 2004, the SAMF was established as a non-profitable company with a strong focus on improving mathematics education at school level, as well as promoting the importance of mathematics. Together, these three institutions represent a powerful foundation for the National Centre.

Focusing on Key Priorities for the Next Decade

The National Centre will focus on targeted priorities that align with the National System of Innovation and address gaps across education, training, and research, including:

- Expanding doctoral training models to enhance graduation rates and research expertise.

- Establishing Research Training Networks in areas of national importance.

- Supporting postgraduate training at historically disadvantaged universities.

- Facilitating PhD completion for South African academics in the mathematical sciences.

- Strengthening knowledge exchange between academia, government, and industry.

- Increasing international partnerships and collaborative research opportunities.

- Strengthening research in the mathematical sciences.

- Promoting diversity and inclusion within leadership roles in mathematical sciences.

- Professionalising and supporting early-career scientists.

- Raising the standard of mathematics education through teacher training and learner outreach.

Prof Jordaan explains: “Through these initiatives, the National Centre for Mathematical Sciences aims to develop a new generation of mathematical scientists equipped to make significant contributions within South Africa and on the global stage.”