Director of the Industry Initiative at the Global Network Secretariat of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences – Next Einstein Initiative (AIMS-NEI)
Dr. Charles Lebon Mberi Kimpolo is the Director of the Industry Initiative at the Global Network Secretariat of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences – Next Einstein Initiative (AIMS-NEI). For the last couple of years, Charles has been diligently working to build the profile of AIMS with industry partners on the continent, by providing oversight and strategic direction to the AIMS Industry Initiative.
He has been involved in data analysis, business intelligence, and project management for over 14 years. Charles also has experience teaching and conducting scientific research in the field of computational and applied mathematics. Previously, he worked in Africa, the United States, and Asia, gaining real-life experience in agile software development, delivery, and consulting.
Charles has a Ph.D. in Computational and Applied Mathematics from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Charles is passionate about Education, particularly for African youth. He is persistent in seeking ways to use technology and promote excellence in quality education in Africa. Education problems and a lack of access to technology have been widely recognised on the continent as major stumbling blocks to economic competitiveness and social equality.
Challenge
After taking note of the challenges that young African people face in education, particularly those who want to pursue a career in Information Technology (IT), he was alarmed by the quality of mathematics and science education in the feeder subjects for a career in IT.
Solutions and Impact
Charles is passionate about education, especially for the African youth. He persistently seeks to resolve these problems and create opportunities through the use of technology and promote excellence in quality education in Africa.
Charles launched the Young African Technologists (YAT) initiative that is aimed at promoting education through technology in underprivileged African communities.
Charles’ work with YAT has led to effective change. It is broadening the depth and scope of relationships and partnerships in AIMS-NEI, which in turn, creates an environment for more young people across Africa to get quality education.