About Quantum Leap Africa

Quantum Leap Africa (QLA) was created by the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) to catalyze top quality high impact research in data science, smart systems engineering and drive the future IT revolution through quantum information. It is also mandated to train the next generation of innovators in information science and technology.

AIMS currently has scientific centres of excellence in South Africa, Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon, Tanzania, and Rwanda. AIMS has been providing outstanding postgraduate training to Africa’s top graduates in math, science and engineering for the past 15 years. AIMS generates a stream of talented young African scientists – making impact in fields ranging from epidemiology and public health to computer science, finance, and astronomy. AIMS also founded the Next Einstein Forum(NEF) , a platform that connects science, society and policy in Africa with the rest of the world – to leverage science for human development globally. It is therefore well positioned to draw from its pool of talent and experience to run Africa’s quantum research centre.

VISION

To place Africa on the leading edge of quantum science and the technologies of the future.

MISSION

To establish an African-led, African-driven centre pursuing research, both foundational and applied, in data analytics, machine intelligence, smart systems and quantum science. Quantum Leap Africa will:

Serve as a magnet for African and global talent – scientific, technical and entrepreneurial
Conduct theoretical and practical research with reach and impact across Africa and the world
Attract excellent global partners
Grow into one of Africa’s most prominent scientific centres

GOVERNANCE

Quantum Leap Africa is a non-profit organization owned by the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) and governed by the AIMS Board of Directors. This International Board of Directors oversees a regular independent financial audit which provide accountability to QLA’s funders and stakeholders.

PARTNERS

Research collaborations and student internships. In the course of their program, some students are referred to Elements AI to be a part of the cutting-edge AI research. The students are given unparalleled access to AI products and thought leadership that

Elsevier offer internship opportunities for students in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence and also resources for data capture in some of QLA research applications.

Joint PhD program in Quantum information. Students are enrolled at both Calgary and QLA for the PhD program. They do the first half of the program at the University of Calgary and the second half at QLA and get PhD degrees from both universities.

Research collaboration in quantum information and cosmology.

Joint research collaboration, providing fellowships for jointly supervised 1-year research master’s program in quantum information whereby the students spend half a year at QLA and the other half at Qusoft.

FUNDERS

Quantum Leap Africa is funded through public-private partnerships which combine government, foundations, corporations, partner institutions and individuals who share in the goal of unlocking Africa’s scientific potential to foster major discovery.

PUBLIC

PRIVATE

FACILITY

The QLA facility houses 20 researchers, 60 graduate students and 5 research support staff.