Strengthening Postgraduate Training at Historically Disadvantaged Universities: A Collaborative Initiative

The South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF), in partnership with the DSTI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (CoE-MaSS), is proud of its first collaborative project: strengthening postgraduate training at Historically Disadvantaged Institutions (HDIs).

The fully online Mathematics Problem Solving (MPS) course, currently underway on Limina Education Services’ platform, for nine HDIs is running until 4 April 2025 and designed to train facilitators for SAMF’s Siyanqoba Mathematics Olympiad Training Centres. These centres provide specialised training to learners participating in the Old Mutual South African Mathematics Olympiad (SAMO) for Grades 8 to 12, equipping them with the advanced problem-solving skills needed to excel in the more challenging second and final rounds of the competition. As part of its long-term strategy, SAMF plans to establish Siyanqoba Training Centres at HDIs in the near future, expanding access to high-quality mathematics training across South Africa.

The onboarding session for the MPS course took place on 6 February, marking the official start of the training programme. Developed by renowned mathematics educators Alwyn Olivier and Dr Erna Lampen, the MPS Course is built on years of experience in mathematics education and competition training. By training a new generation of facilitators, the programme aims to strengthen South Africa’s mathematical talent pipeline and ensure that learners across the country have access to high-quality training opportunities.

A Collaborative Effort to Advance Mathematical Sciences

This project is the first step in a broader initiative to enhance South Africa’s mathematical sciences landscape. It follows the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SAMF, the National Graduate Academy for Mathematical and Statistical Sciences NGA(MaSS), and CoE-MaSS, which lays the groundwork for establishing a National Centre for Mathematical Sciences. This envisioned centre will unify mathematics, statistics, data science, and mathematics education under a national framework to drive innovation and research.

“The launch of this project reflects our shared commitment to building a strong foundation for mathematical excellence in South Africa,” says Prof Kerstin Jordaan, Executive Director of SAMF. “By equipping facilitators with advanced mathematical problem-solving training, we are not only supporting the Mathematics Olympiad participants but ultimately expanding the base of learners who can follow a career in mathematical sciences.” 

As part of their ongoing collaboration, SAMF, NGA(MaSS), and CoE-MaSS will continue to work with academic and industry leaders to strengthen South Africa’s mathematical education and research capacity.