VISITORS GUIDE

African Institute for Mathematical Sciences Tanzania

Contents Key Contacts

Computing facilities 2 Anthony Kennedy Nzuki
Deputy Rector Operations and Administration
Library facilities 2 Tel +255 684 101 648
[email protected]
Accommodation and meals 2 Contact Anthony for all matters concerning
Teaching at AIMS 3 operations and administration at AIMS Tanzania.

The AIMS Master’s 4 Dr Wilson Charles Mahera

Deputy Rector Academics
Research Centre 6
Tel. +255 782 991 553
General Information 6 [email protected]
Contact Mahera for all Academic matters
Tourism 7 at AIMS Tanzania
Directions from Dar es Salaam 7
Samson Peter
Contact list 8 Facilities and Logistics Manager
Tel +255 713 552 068
[email protected]
Contact Samson for any concerns about your office
environment, issues with accommodation or any
other facility related enquiries

Ramadhani Sulemani Sima

IT Manager
Tel +255 717 471 564
[email protected]
Please note: AIMS Tanzania is a Contact Ramadhani for any problems with com-
non-smoking and alcohol puters, printing, programs, and software at AIMS
free campus. Tanzania.
 COMPUTING FACILITIES

Visiting laptops
The wireless network name is called
“aims-tz”. The network password will be
issued on arrival. Register your device
with IT internet access. Set your proxy
to “autodetect” on Windows and Linux.
Bring your laptop to IT to have printers
configured.

Please see the IT Manager if you are unable

to connect to the wireless network.

Acceptable Use Policy By using the network you automatically Assistance

AIMS Tanzania exclusively uses Free agree to the Acceptable Use Policies of Ramadhani Sima, IT Manager can be
Software: our Internet Service Providers, Zantel, as reached at +255 717471564 (ramadhani@
• Ubuntu Linux for desktops and well as Tanzanian law. aims.ac.tz) and his office is located on the
servers third floor.
• Python, R, R Studrio, SciPy, Octave
and SAGE for scientific computation

ELECTRICITY IN TANZANIA: The Tanzanian electricity supply is 230V, 50Hz the same as plugs used in United Kingdom
(UK) using 3-pin power socket. If an adaptor is required, consider bringing one with you, although they can be
purchase locally. US-made appliances may need a transformer

All the areas on campus have access to

LIBRARY FACILITIES ACCOMMODATION
wireless internet connectivity.

Library at AIMS AIMS Tanzania is located within Alpha For those seeking more private accom-
There is a library which has a collection of Zulu campus. The Alpha Zulu consists of modation the Bagamoyo town and Dare
books and journals. Students and visitors two buildings blocks – Kilimanjaro and Es Salaam city hosts many hotels and
also have access to books and journals Meru within the same compound. resorts.
from the University of Cambridge Library
on these links: The ground floor has rooms for male For all matters concerning logistics,
http://ebooks.cambridge.org/ and students, the kitchen and the restaurant. facilities and accommodation please
http://journals.cambridge.org The first floor hosts the Library and more contact Samson Peter our Facilities
respectively. male accommodation while the second Manager on +255 713 552 068 or
floor consists of the female student [email protected].
Printing and photocopying facilities are accommodation and a lecture room.
available outside the main lecture room.
Please see Ramadhani or email him Lecturers’ bedrooms and the main
([email protected]) if you have any administration offices are found on the
problems. third floor of Kilimanjaro building. The
Lecturers bedrooms are a mixture of both
single and double occupancy.

The tutors’ residence is at Meru block.

This block also has the main lecture
room.

MEALS

Meals are served in our dining area. ([email protected]), if you wish

The menu is mainly continental with to take the vegetarian option or
lots of Swahili cuisine. A vegetarian if you have other special dietary
option is available. requirements.

Please inform Samson Peter the It is possible to make coffee any time
Facilities and Logistics Manager of the day.

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 the common goal of sharing our Students are helped and encouraged to
TEACHING AT AIMS CENTRES knowledge and experiences with develop their own ideas, both during and
each other. outside formal class times, and to absorb
The AIMS mission is to provide an new ideas instead of being presented with
excellent, advanced education to talented Teaching And Learning Strategy the finished product.
and highly motivated African students in The teaching at AIMS is based on the
order to develop independent thinkers, principle of learning and understanding, The teaching at AIMS is done through
researchers and problem solvers who rather than simply listening and writing, through self-contained (modular) courses
will contribute to Africa’s development. during classes; and on creating an atmo- in which the advertised content is used
One of the key features of studying at sphere of increasing knowledge through as a guide, and lecturers are encouraged,
AIMS is the highly enriching experience small group discussions. This is achieved and expected, to adapt daily to meet the
of students and lecturers eating and by formulating conjectures and assessing needs of the students. The challenge for
living together within a 24 hour learning the evidence for them, and sometimes the lecturers is to create a sense of enquiry
environment, and the consequent friendly going down wrong paths and learning in all students who come from very diverse
and informal atmosphere, coupled with from these mistakes. The essential feature backgrounds. Each student should develop,
active and meaningful participation of the classes at AIMS is that, in contrast and succeed, from their own particular
during the teaching sessions. to formal lecture courses, they are highly starting point. AIMS considers the journey
  interactive; and time is allocated for class undertaken to reach a conclusion to be as
Each year AIMS Tanzania takes approxi- discussions. In this way, AIMS provides a important as the conclusion itself.
mately 55 students from different African climate of interactive teaching, where  
countries with various ethnic, religious students are encouraged to learn together Language And Communication
and cultural backgrounds. By far the most in a journey of questioning and discovery, AIMS Tanzania is a bilingual institute
common response to the question “What and where lecturers respond to the needs (French and English) and we have
does your year at AIMS really mean to of the class rather than to a pre-determined students, tutors and lecturers from
you?” is “the opportunity to meet and syllabus. The AIMS teaching philosophy is different nationalities. Many of our
live with people from in and outside the to promote critical and creative thinking; Francophone students do not speak
African continent and to get to know the to experience the excitement of learning fluent English when they arrive in
lecturers as individuals.” We should not from true understanding; and to avoid August. We therefore have English
underestimate the value of this feeling rote learning directed only towards teaching program available throughout
that AIMS is an institute in which we are assessment. the academic period. We have one
all learning and teaching together with language teacher who assists the
students to become as bilingual as
possible by December of each year.

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 teaching and administrative support, The AIMS understanding is that each
THE AIMS MASTER’S assistance to foreign language speakers, Review Course provides an overview
and continuity across the visiting lecturers. and in depth study of some topic from
Each AIMS centre offers an intensive one   a major field of modern scientific work
year graduate-level course leading to a First semester: Skills courses in the mathematical sciences and its
taught Master’s Degree in Mathematical Skills courses are compulsory and are applications. These are often relevant
Sciences. The course provides both a designed to: to African development.
broad overview of cutting-edge science • provide introductory and foundation-  
and strong mathematical and computer al material to the students; Third semester: Research project
research skills. The course is unique, • train students in problem solving During the three-month long research
offering students’ exposure to a range of using a wide range of mathematical project phase students work on a research
topics, thereby allowing them to make and computing methods; topic with a supervisor. Students are not
an informed choice as to their future • provide a working knowledge of expected to do original work to achieve
specialisation. The goal is to develop mathematics, physics and selected a passing grade, but the criterion for an
well-rounded scientists, with excellent topics. outstanding research project is broadly
problem-solving skills, capable of creative   that it could constitute the early part of a
thinking and genuine innovation. There They are structured to achieve pre-defined Research Master’s thesis. For example, it
is a strong grounding in end-to-end skills, outcomes, with little flexibility in their could be publishable in a journal, or form
from problem formulation, estimation, content. an outstanding introduction to the field
prioritization, and generally applicable   that could be used by other students
mathematical and computing methods, to Second semester: Review courses entering the area. During this phase
clear and concise scientific report writing. Review courses are elective and are targeted communication skills and
The aim is to equip students with the fundamentally different. Each is flexibly computing classes may continue, at the
necessary tools and confidence for deci- designed and together they provide supervisor’s discretion. The purpose of
sion-making and policy analysis. a wide range of topics. Students are the research project is:
required to complete 11 courses selected • to give students the opportunity to
Faculties from African universities have from the 18 review courses offered (with work with an expert supervisor on a
been intimately involved in developing at most two chosen from any three-week non-trivial project;
the AIMS curriculum, ensuring it is block). Choices offered are balanced as • to go through the process of
integrated with local undergraduate far as possible with respect to focus on independently reviewing,
and Master’s courses, and with local mathematics, physics, computer science understanding and explaining
post-graduate research opportunities. and interdisciplinary topics, such as scientific or mathematical material;
bio-mathematics, financial mathematics, • to optionally do experiments - on a
World-leading scientists and educators and more. Students can select from the computer or otherwise - and report
have volunteered to teach at AIMS centres. list of courses in consultation with the the results;
Their participation ensures an education Academic Director who ensures coherance. • to write a scientific report, and to
of the highest international quality. Tutors   defend it in an oral exam.
(often including AIMS alumni) provide

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Assessment and evaluation (orally) to a panel of examiners. This awarding the degree with distinction.
It will be clear by now that the form of panel includes the AIMS Director, the • In order to complete the AIMS
assessment used by traditional universities Academic Director, the supervisor, a Master’s degree successfully, a pass
does not help to achieve the AIMS goals. teaching assistant and at least one is required for each of the phases.
The academic assessment of students for external examiner. • Integrated assessment - a portfolio
the AIMS Master’s Mathematical Sciences • During the review and research for each student is compiled,
is accomplished in three ways: project phases, the range of marks containing the grades achieved for
• Continuous assessment through that can be given is as follows: each of the courses attended as well
written assignments, tutorials, short Distinction: 85-100% as observations on their presentations,
tests and student presentations set Good pass: 70-84% all their assignments, completed
by the lecturers. Pass: 60-69% exercises and their final research
• The mark awarded for a given Fail: less than 60% project.
course is determined by the lecturer • To obtain the AIMS Master’s in
concerned in consultation with the Mathematical Sciences with Partner Universities
tutors involved and Academic Director. distinction, requires: AIMS Tanzania has a working partnership
• During the skills phase, group work - a pass for the skills courses with the following universities:
and individual growth is emphasised - at least 6 distinctions for the • University of Dar Es Salaam
in a less formal context and for these review phase • Linkoping University of Sweden
courses the mark obtained is a pass - a distinction for the research • Reading University of UK
or a fail. Sometimes active participation project phase • University of Cambridge in UK
in an activity is required; sometimes • In extraordinary circumstances where • Michigan State University of USA
certain skills must be acquired. the quality of the research project
• A written research project which is highly exceptional, fewer review
the student is required to present distinctions may be required when

Academic Programme Staff

Prof. Mark Roberts

Rector AIMS Tanzania
Tel +255 684 101 498
[email protected]

Dr Charles Wilson Mahera

Academic Director
Tel.+255 782 991 553
[email protected]

TEACHING ASSISTANTS

Teaching assistants are a fundamental feature of the AIMS model. AIMS Tanzania appoints between eight and ten advanced
postgraduate students as teaching assistants. The duties of the teaching assistants are to provide assistance to the Academic
Director and lecturers in matters concerning the academic programme and the assessment of students. Teaching assistants
attend the lecture courses; arrange additional tutorials; assist with the marking of assignments; and assist the students with
computing and research project writing. Teaching assistants also provide useful information to assist the Academic Director
when writing student references. Teaching assistants are recruited via an announcement through AIMS’ mailing lists. Criteria
considered for selection include: academic achievement, ability to speak relevant languages, and an ability to function in the
unusual AIMS teaching environment.

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 THE RESEARCH CENTRE

Research is an integral part of the AIMS

program and will be launched at each
new AIMS centre within the first few
years of opening.

The main features of an AIMS Research

Centre are:
• A strong focus on cutting-edge topics
which are most relevant to African
development, especially in fields
where scientists in Africa have a
competitive advantage and can do
world-leading research
• Close involvement with local
universities and other research
institutions thus widening the pool
of available expertise and serving
to initiate long-term research • Participation of top international • The careful selection of cost-effec-
programmes in the local academic researchers and institutions keen tive, high impact, interdisciplinary
community to work with African academics and research program in which a small
• Collaboration with institutions all students on cutting edge projects fast-moving Centre can break new
over Africa to ensure strong pan- • Close ties with industry by running ground more effectively than is
African participation in all the programmes associated with par- possible in larger, less flexible
Research Centre’s programmes, ticular industrial needs, assisting in institutions
stimulating the growth of pan-African capacity building and collaboration
research networks and partnerships on innovative projects

GENERAL INFORMATION As in any foreign country, visitors are advised to be aware and alert
when travelling to avoid falling prey to to petty theft and crime. Most
HEALTHCARE areas and attractions of Tanzania can be safely visited but for your
own safety it is important that you do not walk around late at night.
In an emergency please first contact:
Samson Peter Always be discreet with expensive camera equipment and jewellery
Facilities and Logistics Manager and be aware of your surroundings.
Tel +255 713 552 068
[email protected]
HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS BANKING
Hospitals: Travellers Lodge CRDB, NMB Banks are available within
St Elizabeth Hospital Oceanic Bay Bagamoyo. CRDB Bank has visa card ser-
Bagamoyo District Hospital Millennium Hotel vices. Ecobank is the main bank for AIMS
Rubinisha Memorial Hospital Firefly Tanzania but does not have a branch in
Funky Squid Bagamoyo.
GROCERY STORES Twins Park
Poapoa Be sure to inform your bank/credit card
Stella Marian Mini Supermarket Marian Hostel company that you are travelling to avoid
having your account frozen during your
TRANSPORTATION stay.

SECURITY There locally available Taxis and

minibuses within Bagamoyo to any
AMSEK Security firm provides guarding
destination. Otherwise within
services at the gate of the campus.
Bagamoyo, the commonest mode
Otherwise Bagaomoyo is a relatively
of transport is a motorised tricycle
safe and a relaxed location
called Bajaji or motorbikes popularly
known as boda boda. Bicycles for hire
are also easily available.

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 TOURISM

Local attractions include Sandaani Game

Reserve, which is unique in that it
stretches right into the Indian Ocean.

There are also historic sites like the

German Boma building and Kaole ruins in
Bagamoyo.

The AIMS campus is on the beach. You

can take a walk or swim anytime of the
day before dark.

Ancient Kaole ruins

Julius Nyerere International Airport to Drive 73.9 km, 1 h 53 min

A view of the beach from one of the campus balcony’s
Custom Rd, Bagamoyo, Tanzania

DIRECTIONS FROM DAR

ES SALAAM

AIMS Tanzania is approximately from

74km from Julius Nyerere International
Airport, Dar es Salaam

Detailed driving directions can be found

at xxx

Public transportation xxxx

Map data ©2016 Google 5 km

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 Contact list
Prof. Mark Roberts
Rector
Tel +255 684 101 498
[email protected]

Dr Charles Wilson Mahera

Deputy Rector Academics
Tel +255 782 991 553
[email protected]

Anthony Kennedy Nzuki

Deputy Rector Admin and
Operations
Tel +255 684 101 648
[email protected]

Bonaventura Mtoha
Finance and Human Resources
Manager
[email protected]

Samson Peter Mgonja

Facilities and Logistics Manager
Tel +255 713 552 068
[email protected]

Ramadhani Sulemani Sima

IT Manager
Tel +255 717 471 564
[email protected]

African Institute for Mathematical Sciences Tanzania

ALPHA ZULU, CHUNGUUNI STREET | BOGAMOYO | PWANI |TANZANIA
TEL: +255 684 101 648 | EMAIL: [email protected] | WEB: www.aims-tanzania.org