PME43

Host and presenters

 

Hosting organisation: The University of Pretoria

The University of Pretoria is a multi-faculty research-intensive university with campuses in Pretoria, its surrounds, and in the country’s economic hub, Johannesburg. The university is conveniently situated in close proximity to government departments and major research entities in Pretoria, including the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). 

As one of South Africa’s oldest institutions of higher education, the University of Pretoria provides a refreshing mix of academic tradition and progressive vision. The latter is brought to life by means of world-class research that results in positive, tangible contributions to both local and global communities.

Presenting organisations 

 
The conference will be presented jointly by South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF) and the African Mathematical Union (AMU).
 

South African Mathematics Foundation - SAMF

 

The SAMF is an initiative of the two biggest representatives of mathematicians and mathematics educators in South Africa, the South African Mathematical Society (SAMS) and the Association of Mathematics Educators of South Africa (AMESA).  The South African Mathematics Foundation was developed out of concerns of mathematicians and mathematics educators to address the shortage of mathematics teachers and the concerns in effective mathematics education. Although an independent agency, we have representation from five different government departments on our board. The four main thrusts of SAMF are learners, teachers, advocacy and research. 

The SAMF organised the 2014 International Mathematics Olympiad in Cape Town – an event that is on a larger scale as PME – and has good experience in organising such events.

African Mathematical Union - AMU

The AMU was founded during the first Pan African Congress of Mathematicians, which took place in Rabat, Morocco in July 1976. Its creation had been prepared during several meetings of African mathematicians that took place in France, Senegal, Canada, Ghana, Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire during the early 1970s.

The AMU defined as its mission to coordinate and to promote the quality of teaching, research and outreach activities in all areas of mathematical sciences throughout Africa. Advancing mathematical research and education includes efforts and contributions towards the economic, social and cultural development of the continent. Moreover, the AMU aims at stimulating active cooperation among African mathematicians and, more broadly, with African scientists and engineers. The AMU is eager to collaborate with other scientific organizations inside and outside Africa pursuing similar goals.

Aware of the importance of science, technology and innovation for the socio-economic development of African nation, the new strategy of AMU consists of the development of mathematics that can impact critical sectors of the economy and the initiation of a fruitful collaboration with industry and business world.