In December 2025 Zoe Wyatt, Assistant Professor in the Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics, delivered a three‑week course on Partial Differential Equations at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) in Kigali, Rwanda. The exchange further deepened the longstanding relationship between Cambridge’s Faculty of Mathematics and AIMS.
The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) is a pan-African network of Centres of Excellence for post-graduate training in mathematical sciences, research and public engagement. This visit marked the fifth time Zoe Wyatt has lectured at AIMS Rwanda, continuing a wider tradition of academic collaboration, mentorship, and capacity‑building between AIMS and Cambridge that has supported African mathematicians for more than a decade.
Strengthening ties to increase impact
"It's just such an inspiring and vibrant place to be," Wyatt comments about AIMS Rwanda. Her course drew students from across the continent, many of whom aspire to pursue postgraduate study in Europe and North America. She stresses the two-way benefits of the collaboration, particularly in working with a cohort of mathematicians bringing such a diversity of experience and interests. "Every time I teach I learn something new," says Wyatt. "I learn from the students, and I also learn to be a better teacher. It's not just me giving something to the students - I'm really getting a lot from them."
The mathematical collaboration with AIMS also holds the potential for future impact. "I have found that the students are really interested in using maths to solve problems in society," says Wyatt. "And so when I teach my course on partial differential equations the first two weeks is standard material, but for the last week I've now changed the course to talk about how we use partial differential equations in modelling – for example to model epidemic waves."
Her sustained engagement with AIMS is part of the collaboration and support contributing to students' success stories. One of her former AIMS students is currently studying in Cambridge on a Mastercard Foundation Scholarship, while several others have progressed to graduate programmes across North America and Europe.
Developing global problem-solvers
This year, alongside her teaching at AIMS, Wyatt also visited the African Olympiad Academy (AOA), a newly launched initiative co‑founded by Cambridge mathematics alumnus Arun Shanmuganathan (Trinity, 2014). The Academy aims to train mathematically talented secondary‑school students from across Africa to develop as problem solvers, including preparing for international competitions such as the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).
Alongside other academic staff from both mathematics departments who have contributed as AIMS visiting lecturers, Wyatt's ongoing involvement exemplifies Cambridge's broader commitment to supporting mathematical excellence and opportunities across Africa. The aim is to help foster the next generation of global mathematical researchers while enriching everyone involved.
"I guess the main thing I enjoy is coming to AIMS and seeing how these students grow over the course of the year," says Wyatt, "and then seeing what they go on to do after their AIMS degree."
Top image: Dr Zoe Wyatt working with students at AIMS Rwanda
Video interview courtesy of AIMS Rwanda