University of Buea Cameroon - Universite de buea cameroun

Yaounde, Cameroon Africa(Cameroon News) -

Mathematics professors and researchers from all parts of the globe have assembled together at the University of Buea where they will discuss on what requires to be done to put in place a framework for proper degree programmes in mathematics.

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Professor Gideon Ngwa ( Associate professor in the Department of Mathematics, University of Buea) put forth this request during the Second Buea International Conference on Mathematical Sciences that was held on May 10 2011 at the open commons of the University of Buea.

Speaking on the topic ‘The Study, Development of Mathematics: Prospects and Challenges’, Professor Ngwa said that a proper degree programme in mathematics, would typically be one that satisfies the requirements of the students, society and most of all mathematics as a discipline. The mathematics expert also added that such a programme should be customizable and help students get jobs.

The mathematician also spoke in some detail about some of Africa’s weaknesses in mathematics. These issues he said come from students experience, obsolete teaching methods, lack of synergy of the curriculum with the career that students aspire for, the teacher’s experience, too much teaching load, below average pay packets, professional aloneness, lack of synergy with Africa’s requirements (need more applied, oriented teaching programmes) and the poor image of mathematics teachers in the continent.

The mathematics expert ended his presentation by putting forth some recommendations on what mathematicians could do to improve the methodology associated with the study of mathematics in the future. He detailed on the priority to be given to’ intensifying exchanges while revitalizing the teaching of mathematics as a subject’.

The Maths professor said that one thing to be done by mathematics teachers is to improve the public image of mathematics, create bursaries(regional and local academies) that would work towards providing incentives to talented mathematics students. He stressed on the importance of putting in place more possibilities to educate mathematicians in Africa instead of simply providing them grants to move out of the continent to pursue higher studies.

This conference was a communion of Maths gurus from over 18 countries the world over. Delegates at the conference were professors Aline Bonami- University of Orlins, France, Daniel M. Burns- University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, USA, Juliette Leblond- University of Paris, Edward Lungu- University of Botswana in Gabarone, Alberto Teguia- Duke University in Durham, North Carolina Brett Wick- Georgia Inssstitute Of Technology and the Host Professor Pride Kedinga Titanji(Vice Chancellor, University of Buea).