The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, AIMS, through its Teachers Training Programme, TTP, has inaugurated an ultra-modern Centre and Laboratory at the University of Buea, precisely at their G-block facility.
The four-in-one laboratory worth over FCFA 50 million is the third of its kind, with the first hosted at the AIMS TTP headquarters (ENS Yaoundé) and the second at ENS Maroua.
The inauguration happened on Tuesday, January 21, during a solemn ceremony that brought together officials of the two institutions, an official from the Ministry of Secondary Education, the Buea University Vice-Chancellor, AIMS-Cameroon’s Centre President, the AIMS TTP Director, AIMS TTP Masters Trainers, AIMS trained teachers, the Director of the Kumba Higher Technical Teachers Training College, HTTTC, National and Regional Mathematics Pedagogues, amongst others.
The multi-million facility comprises a Computer Laboratory, a Teaching Simulation Laboratory, an Interactive Classroom and a Distant Learning Classroom. The lab, expected to be connected to high bandwidth internet, is equipped with cutting-edge technology including 25 computers, a video recording system, an interactive smartboard, RACHEL servers for offline access to encyclopaedia, a server room with two servers, and a smart TV for teleconferences.
According to the Centre President of AIMS-Cameroon, Prof. Dr Mama Foupouagnigni, the centre and Laboratory were born to fulfil AIMS’ responsibility towards solving some of Cameroon’s challenges by increasing the number of trained Mathematics teachers and improving the methods of Mathematics delivery since Maths is the backbone of Science and Technology.
After siting some of the numerical breakthroughs in this effort so far, Prof. Mama called on the support of the Buea University Vice-Chancellor in providing an IT personnel in charge of the lab, a constant internet connection to ensure smooth functioning of the lab, and a focal team.
In response, the UB Vice Chancellor who doubles as the AIMS Advisory Council President, Prof. Horace Ngomo Manga, lauded the donation and pledged his full commitment to the partnership between the two institutions.
“We the University of Buea are pleased to host the AIMS’ cutting-edge technology laboratory. I sincerely applaud the Center President of AIMS-Cameroon for his commitment and deliberate effort towards getting people interested in Mathematics and for putting in place resources to make Mathematics student-friendly. I think AIMS will give Mathematics a whole new image” he added.
Speaking at the event, the representative of the Minister of Secondary Education, Jean-Pierre Adjaba, acknowledged the impact of AIMS in resurrecting the dying result of students in Mathematics. “I must say that the learning and result of our students in Mathematics were not only bad but reducing, the reason for our partnership with AIMS. We are so proud of our collaboration with AIMS which has encouraged us to improve our syllabus” he confessed.
Mr Adjaba urged the staff and students of UB to make good use of the four-in-one computer laboratory donated by AIMS-Cameroon.The AIMS-Cameroon Centre President, in his capacity, thanked the Head of Government, H.E, President Paul Biya, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buea, The Ministry of Higher Education, The Director of the TTP and his collaborators, for making the TTP a success.