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Research Collaboration with Universidade Eduardo Mondlane in Mathematics

Joao Paulo Munembe, Bernardo Rota, Osvaldo Loquiha, Stefane Saize, Cachimo Combo Assane and Martin Singull
Joao Paulo Munembe, Bernardo Rota, Osvaldo Loquiha, Stefane Saize, Cachimo Combo Assane and Martin Singull Karin Johansson

Our goal is to train qualified academics who can contribute to improving teaching and learning of Mathematics and Statistics as well as conduct research and solving problems in the private and public sectors in Mozambique.

The Departments of Mathematics at Linköping University and Universidade Eduardo Mondlane(UEM), Mozambique, are since 2017 partners in the sub-programme Capacity Building in Mathematics, Statistics and Its Applications. The sub-programme is part of the bilateral UEM-Sweden Programme, a research training partnership programme funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The sub-programme is coordinated by the Department of Mathematics at LiU and the Department of Mathematics at UEM. On the Swedish side, the collaboration also includes Mälardalen University, Stockholm University, Uppsala University and Örebro University.

Building research capacity in Mathematics and Statistics in Mozambique
The main goal of the sub-programme is to provide Mozambique with PhD and MSc graduates having a strong and broad background in Mathematics. This is accomplished through training PhD students both in Sweden and South Africa as well as through training in new MSc programmes in Mathematics and Statistics at UEM. Another goal is to increase the research output of the Departments of Mathematics at UEM. For this, postdoc fellowships will be awarded, staff will be supported to participate in international conferences, and research workshops will be arranged. A third important goal is to strengthen collaboration between the Departments of Mathematics at UEM and mathematics departments in the Eastern African region.

Achievements and goals

Achievements

Through this collaboration, the capacity for research and teaching has been strengthened and the quality and quantity of research outputs have increased. Some examples of achievements are:

  • Six staff members of UEM were admitted for PhD training in Sweden (3) and South Africa (3) following the sandwich mode.
  • A workshop for the PhD students and their supervisors was arranged in 2020.
  • An MSc programme in Mathematics at UEM was developed in 2018 and training of the first batch of students is on-going. Recruitment of the second batch will be done in 2020.
  • An MSc programme in Statistics at UEM was developed in 2020 and training in the programme is expected to start in 2021.
  • The MSc lab at UEM was equipped with modern mathematical software in 2020.
  • One postdoc fellowship was awarded in 2019 for a research visit to South Africa in 2020.
  • The number of papers in reputable scientific journals as well as presentations at international conferences have increased.

Collaboration between universities in the Eastern African region has been strengthened through different activities:

  • Participation by UEM staff in revision of MSc programmes in the Eastern African region
  • Formation of 11 international research groups
  • Joint applications for research funding

Goal and objectives of the sub-programme

The sub-programme has the following long-term, all-embracing goal:

To provide Mozambique with graduates having a strong and broad background in Mathematics and Statistics, capable of conducting research, as well as to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics and statistics, and to increase the use of Mathematics and Statistics in the public and private sectors in Mozambique and in multidisciplinary research conducted at Universidade Eduardo Mondlane.

The long-term goal is supplemented by the following specific objectives:

  • Develop a sustainable MSc programme in Mathematics at UEM by the end of 2018.
  • Develop a sustainable MSc programme in Statistics at UEM by the end of 2020.
  • Support teaching and research in the new MSc programmes in Mathematics and Statistics at UEM by 2022.
  • Graduate 6 PhD students in the sandwich mode in Sweden or South Africa by 2022.
  • Develop a sustainable PhD programme in Mathematics at UEM based on coursework and dissertation by 2022.
  • Establish visiting lectureships in Sweden for academic staff members of UEM by 2022.

Contact

PhD students

Links

Partners in the sub-programme

Linköping University
Mälardalen University
Stockholm University
Universidade Eduardo Mondlane
Uppsala University
Örebro University

Sida

Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)

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