The UN Climate Summit in Glasgow, UK (COP26) is real a great opportunity for Africa to draw huge economic as well as ecological benefits for its citizens no matter the colour of domestic politics. 

By Professor Chris Imafidon – This can be achieved in the spirit of collaboration instead of isolation. At a recent pre-COP26 meeting hosted by Imperial College, London, Professor Alice Gast emphasized the possible ecological and economic benefits of such partnership as Nigeria’s delegation had an interactive with the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.

Prof Osinbajo, spoke on the global net-zero emission target and the need for a just, equitable energy transition, especially for developing countries.

COLLABORATING IN THE INTEREST OF AFRICA

President Gast, world renowned for her influential views on innovation, collaboration, globalisation, technology and the future of higher education was delighted that governments, academia and industry are linking together to tackle a global problem. 

In a recent trip to west Africa, President Gast, also spoke about Imperial and Ghana’s shared drive in innovation and entrepreneurship: “There is a can do spirit here in Ghana. There is energy to get things done. “At Imperial College, it’s an exciting time because there is a lot to get done. Students are as creative minded and hard working as ever. “They are perhaps more entrepreneurial now and moreover have more opportunities to be entrepreneurs.

She championed her strongly held views on collaboration instead the futile isolationist thinking of the traditional academic, she called for partnership between the society and scholarship.  

She is also very vocal on STEM, diversity and related issues, and has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, BBC, Economist, Financial Times, Le Monde, World Economic Forum, South China Morning Post and Xinhua, among other global media outlets. She is a unique voice various government, industrial and academic advisory boards in Britain, EU, Asia and the United States.

TURING SCHEME, STEM, AND SUSITAINABILITY 

Meanwhile, Professor Imafidon is keen on “Getting Africa to benefit from the new Turing Scheme because it offers funding opportunities to organisations in the higher education, schools, further education and vocational education and training sectors. This can dramatically change the human capital development of African youths. We cannot allow this global opportunity to elude West Africa’s next generation. When examined critically, Environmentalism is much more serious that politics or ideology. Pollution affects us all, so renewables and sustainability must not be debated but implemented. 

The current plan to halt all investments in gas projects in order to achieve the global Net-Zero emissions target will be damaging to developing countries and most of Africa. 

This meeting comes after Imperial’s President Alice Gast announced a multi-million pound investment in international student scholarships as the College seeks to further diversify its community.

Professor Alice Gast, President of Imperial College London, said: “Imperial strives to create the best possible experience for talented students from all backgrounds, and ensure they have opportunities to expand their horizons. The Turing Scheme allows us to take a significant further step in this mission through a new package of enhanced support to enable more students, regardless of their background, to participate in international experiences with more partners.

 

GENERATING MORE BLACK MATHEMATICIANS

On a separate occasion, Professor Alice Gast confirms “fair university admissions and two decades of school reforms are pointing Britain in a meritocratic direction, but we have some way to go. By the time disadvantaged students apply to university, it is often too late. This is crucial in mathematics, where a proven high capability is essential for science, technology and engineering degrees.”

This has spurred leading universities to found STEM, or mathematics schools that help disadvantaged sixth form students. Imperial is set to open a specialist Mathematics School 2023. The academy will focus on attracting more female students, students from BAME groups and disadvantaged and under-represented communities into STEM. Such diversity leads to research breakthroughs, she said.

FREE MATHEMATICS PROGRAMME

However, to reach an even wider audience, “we can lean harder on technology,” Professor Gast writes.  

Imperial’s free Mathematics programmes on EdX. It will provide resources for students aspiring to the highest A-level mathematics grades. They can see, and build towards, the standards of elite universities.”

 

Professor Chris Imafidon a multi-Guinness World record holder; internationally renowned adviser to monarchs, governments, presidents and corporate leaders; Mentor to multi-millionaire tech entrepreneurs & many world record holders. His research and innovation have been recognised internationally, winning multiple awards in many continents across multiple disciplines and his mentees are global leaders in pioneers. Mentor to New York Times Bestellers and a Sunday Times Op-ed author. He is a 5X international best selling author, and a WallStreet Journal Best seller. [Twitter @ChrisImafidon; Instagram @CoImafidon; Facebook/Linkedln –Professor Chris Imafidon and Clubhouse] 

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