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African School of Fundamental Physics and Application: Shaping the future

Ketevi Assamagan and Christine Darve

on behalf of the ASP IOC/LOC/IAC

https://www.africanschoolofphysics.org/

July 1^st, 2022

Wits and University of Johannesburg, SA

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Outline

Mission of the African School of Fundamental Physics and Applications
ASP Organization
Expanding our Program
More High-Stories Transcending Boundaries

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Executive sumary

Also known as “The African School of Physics”
Acronym: ASP; Logo: as above
https://www.africanschoolofphysics.org
Organized biennially in different African countries since 2010 by an International Organizing Committee (IOC), ASP-IOC@CERN.CH

ASP	Host Country	Applicants	Students	Mentorship	Teachers	Pupils	Conference
2010	South Africa	125	65	Continuously, even when there is no formal school
2012	Ghana	138	50
2014	Senegal	330	70
2016	Rwanda	429	75	Program formalized in 2016. Runs continuously	20	150
2018	Namibia	523	85		63	> 1200	+60
2020	Morocco
2021	Online	N/A	94				+649

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ASP as a start-up

A non-profit organization created by a small group of worldwide scientists to stimulate and include more African talented physics students in the world scientific community

To contribute to a world w/ equal access to knowledge

The aim of the school is to build capacity in African countries, to harvest, interpret, and exploit the results from physics experiments with particle accelerators, and to increase proficiency in related applications and technologies.

To establish a biennial educative program to be hosted across Africa

To provide high quality classes by international re-known Scientists

To support financially up to 85 African students for 3-week classes attendance

Based on the experience of few European and American scientists, we have created a network, an organization, to stimulate and include more African talented physics students in the world scientific community.

Our mission is to help increase the number of African students acquiring higher education.

We have felt that American and European big science programs, have a lot to share in order to improve the world condition, hence science transcending boundaries…

“Everything “ pass by knowledge, and education is the pillar of well-being, and a peaceful world. Our goal was also to contribute to limiting the brain drain, by increasing capacity within African universities and promote spin-off for large scale activities IN Africa (see SKA, Af LS)

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This is achieved through an outreach effort, an increased awareness of the potential of high quality training offered by large scale experiments in context in various scientic disciplines, and a system of networking on the international scale.

There is a strong alignment between the mission and the vision of African governments and policy makers on education and capacity building and their programs with the goals of the ASP.

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Committees to build momentum

Prior to 2007: A proof of concept to build a strategic partnership and collect financial support from Africa, Europe, US, Asia via universities, laboratories, UN, and other organizations.

Conceptual thinking by Steve Muanza and John Ellis in 2001 and IN2P3 to trigger.
International Center for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Bobby Acharya, as incubator and greatly encouraged by CERN and Fermilab.
Preparation teams leaded by Christine Darve ASP2010 and since then by Ketevi Assamagan

Use the LHC and its experiments as an example, although the broader objectives are far beyond.

We believe that the knowledge that the students gain will benefit them whichever careers they may pursue.

Historical

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Sponsorship & financial support

Lecturers and Organizers Supported by External Sources - Significant

Support received then used to maximize student participation

Host Country Support Significant

In-kind support
Direct Financial contributions
Human Resources toward ASP Organization

ICTP Support major

Student participation
Management of application database
Arrange student travels

ASP2018 Sponsors in addition to USA DOE Labs (BNL)

African Contributors:

- Namibia

- SA DST/NRF

- IUCEA

Integrated: ~50% of ASP2018 budget

Writes Proposals, Requests for Supports
Produces Final Reports of Activities
Seeking permanent financial backing

Fund Management

Funds centralized and managed by the South African Institute of Physics (SAIP)

IOC

Unfortunately, in our conjuncture, Nothing can be done without financial support..

The approximate budget is 160 kE per edition, shared between 15-20 different institutes, embassies and foundation across the world.

Beyond its financial support, ICTP support the logistics necessary for events preparation (CERN too).

Host country shall guarantee significant In-Kind support e.g. accommodation, catering.

Lecturers are paying for their fee.

The example of the ASP2018 sponsors are shown. Sponsors will vary largely between editions.

The supporting institutes since the first edition are ICTP and CERN, BNL, Fermilab, J-Lab, IUPAP, PSI then joined INFN, DESY, EPS, the Shui-Chin Lee foundation for basic science , Theorem Holdings Corporation, Metatron Global SA;

African contribution represents about 50 % of the income, with a continuous support from SA NRF and DST

The IOC is coordinating the whole process by writing proposal for fund raising, deciding on the whole program.

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ASP Organization

International Organizing Committee (IOC)

Overall management
Fund raising
Coordination of activities

Local Organizing Committee (LOC)

in the host country

Local logistics
Liaise with Education and Research branches of host country government

International Lecturers panel (IL)

Design the scientific Program
Help with the student selections
Mentor and Coach students continuously

Spin-Offs

ASP Mentorship/Coaching Program
Networking and sharing of information
Align ASP with educational priorities
Improve future editions of ASP
Promote research collaborations
Promote research consortia

Assessment of Impact

Survey of students
Survey of their Professors
Follow academic developments

Strong interplay between the IOC, LOC and IAC Committees

International Advisory Committee (IAC)

Representatives of funding agencies
Advise on the program
Advise of the host country selection

How are we organized ?

The core of the organization is the IOC, responsible for the fund raising, the students selection (with help of the IL panel), etc..

LOC support for infrastructure and local logistics, Computing hands-on: Monte Carlo, ROOT, GEANT4 exercises, etc..

IAC, composed of the funding agency representation

The different lecturers are gathered in a panel and help defining the scientific program and selecting the students and following-up with them.

Before, during and after the events, the different committees and panels work together to track and improve the growing activities of the ASP.

Spin-off are important for our mission.

We want to promote the academic capacity in Africa and follow-up with our alumni students. A program mentor-mentee was created.

Also, we encourage the creation of innovative projects in Africa, like e.g. the Af LS.

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The topics of interest

Example of ASP timetable:

ASP2018: https://indico.cern.ch/event/656460/timetable/?view=standard

Nuclear and Particle Physics
Beyond the Standard Model
Astro‐particle physics and Cosmology
Theoretical Heavy‐ion physics
Linux tutorials

Particle Detectors
Particle Identification and Data Analysis and statistics
Exp. Particle physics, current status of the field
Exp. Nuclear Physics
Exp. Heavy Ion Physics
Exp. Astro‐particle Physics

Accelerator physics and Technology
Physics of Particle Beams
Instrumentation
Medical Applications
Neutron and Light Sources
Energetics and solid state
GRID and computing
Digital Library

Theoretical Physics Experimental Physics Accelerator and Applications

and GRID

Which topics are we covering ?

Beyond our core topics of interested, based on our own background (th. Exp. App), we have continuously adapted the program, to reflect the African students level and preferences. E.g we have added more computing hands-on Linux Boot Camp).

- Th: describe the standard Model and quantum field theory.

- Exp: deals with detectors , data analysis and statistical treatment to give participants an introduction to how raw data is transformed into final measurements

- Appl: . The scientific disciplines are thr basics of particle accelerator technology, applied physics , medical physics and material science.

- The two-day sessions are dedicated to GRID computing session supported by the DOSAR Distributed Organization for Scientic and Academic Research (DOSAR) and the Open Science Grid (OS-Grid).

Medical applications , nuclear physics and astrophysics are systematically topics of interest in Africa.

We systematically include local lecturers to cover their topics.

Depending on the host country, different categories can be enhanced.

Timetable of African School of Fundamental Physics and Applications:

ASP2010: https://indico.cern.ch/event/78565/timetable/?view=standard

ASP2012: https://indico.cern.ch/event/145296/timetable/?view=standard

ASP2014: https://indico.cern.ch/event/276481/timetable/?view=standard

ASP2016: https://indico.cern.ch/event/528094/timetable/?view=standard

ASP2018: https://indico.cern.ch/event/656460/timetable/?view=standard

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ASP Program Expansion

Student Program

3-week intensive school

3^rd year of University to Ph.D.
Mostly African Students
70-80 Students; total > 320

ASP Conference

1-week International Conference

Participation of ASP Alumni
Part. Research Faculties
Networking & collaborations

High School Teachers Program

1-week intensive workshop

Train High School Teachers for improved physics teaching

Learners Program

1-week learners Outreach

10-12^th grade learners
Encourage learners to develop and maintain interests in Physics and Applications

Mentorship/ Coaching Program

Work with Academic Advisors
Connect Students w/ Researchers
Place students at Labs
Support students & help address their academic needs

Forum and Outreach

2 events

Involve Regional policy makers
Promote spin-off activities in Africa
Introduce students to policy

Since 2010, the core of the program, includes the academic lectures and exercises for the students and the Forum and outreach activities to involve the regional policy makers.

To improve the events, we have added more discussion sessions with the students (in French and English) so that they can digest the lecture content.

Since 2016, we have expanded our program by preparing in parallel to the students courses, a workshop for high-school teachers.

In order to further foster the interest of physics in the African world, we have added visits and teaching to local high-schools.

The introduction of a Conference to include more scientists, and encourage networking among alumni students and professionals.

Finally, the expansion includes, as well, a well-defined process for coaching Alumnin students.

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Overview

ASP2010

1^st Edition in South Africa

August 1-21, 2010

65 selected students from 17 countries (125 applications)

ASP2014

3^rd Edition in Senegal

August 3-23, 2014

70/330 students from 21 countries

ASP2018

5^th Edition in Namibia

June 24 to July 14, 2018

85/523 students from 26 countries

Student presentations

Expansion

- Pupils Outreach (30 sch., 1500 learners, 1 wk)

- Teachers Workshop (63 teachers, 1 week)

- Professional Physics Conference (1 week)

ASP2012

2^nd Edition in Ghana

July 15 to August 8, 2012

50/138 students from 15 countries

ASP2016

4^th Edition in Rwanda

August 1-19, 2016

80/429 students from 28 countries

Expansion:

-Pupils Outreach (3 schools, 150 pupils, 3 days)

-Teachers Workshop (20, 2 days)

ASP2020 Morocco

Host countries selected

2.5 years earlier

through a bidding process

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ASP Preparation Site Visit

Prior to in-Person School we organize a Site Visit mainly to assess :

Program development
Computational capability
Housing for students and lecturers
Hands-on exercise capability
Infrastructure assessment
Introduction to university and business entities
Medical facility

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ASP Students

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Provide partial or full financial support to students and create a scientific melting pot of cultural diversity

Diversity of academic levels

Mainly Master and PhD students

ASP Students

Diversity of education background

From theoretical physics to engineering sciences

Diversity of the countries of origin

Priority to Sub-Saharan African students

Women participation (~32%)

Role of women in LDC.

Local Universities

Involve students and professors

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ASP2018 Students Profile

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World-Class Lecturers

People-oriented lecturers willing to share their experience with African students

Highly motivated and motivating characters

Most of ASP lecturers are financially supported by their home institutes

Provide fruitful interactions with students

Lecturers typically attend the ASP for 3 - 7 days

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Forum and Outreach Day

Dedicated to Knowledge and Transfer of Technology

Dr. D. ADAMS, chief director: Emerging Research areas & Infrastructure, Human Capital and Knowledge Systems.

AfLS and compact acc.

Prof. H. WINICK, Prof. Emeritus, SLAC and Prof. L. SERAFINI (INFN, IT)

East Afr. Science and New ICTP Center

Rwandan Ministry of Education

UN support

Dr. H. TOURE, UN ITU Secretary General.

Prof. A. WAGUE and O. KA

M. NGOM - US Embassy rep.

Dr T. TJIVIKUA, Vice-Chancellor, Namibia University of Science and Technology (Namibia)

Dr. R. ADAM (SKA, SA)

Sharing ideas oriented towards building international collaborations and developing innovative technology in partnership with universities, national laboratories, the government and industry.

In 2010, immovation and technology transfer.

In 2012: compact accelerator, and Af LS as a conceptual idea

In 2014: Dr TOURE as a role model for science. His activity as head of the ITU, promoted widely ICT in Affrica. ”Many observers say he helped change the face of ICTs in the Third World.” He joined for one day forum, despide the breaking news of the Ebola crisis emerging in Senegal !!

In 2016: Political situations and visit of Rwandan ministry of education. The role of women has been emphasized.

In ASP2018, The forum day consisted of lively discussions and debate about education and capacity building in Namibia and Africa in general.

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Several high-profile South African scientists and government officials participated in the last day of the school. This outreach and forum day reviewed the practical aspects of fundamental physics, which could be used as a gateway to innovation and to enhance future collaborations.

The Forum Day, however, has a much wider appeal. It takes advantage of opportunity provided by the key visiting experts who would like to connect with experts in Government, Industry and Research. It is planned and delivered by a selection of the world’s top educators and practitioners of High Energy Physics, Research and also Applications.

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High School Teachers

Objective:

Support teacher growth in the planning and delivering of instructions

For the ASP2018, 63 teachers, from the 14 regions of Namibia, identified by the Local Organizing Committee and the Ministry of Education, Arts & Culture

Program designed such that the teacher could attend the ASP conference – Physics Education and Physics Communication Tracks in particular

Teachers program is running in parallel to the students program

Snapshot - Show how to build a cloud chamber, use of raspberry pi in practical sessions.

Demonstrations of the usage of cloud chambers as a simple example of particle detectors

were carried out for students, teachers and high school learners. The high school teachers were introduced to mathematical teaching tools based on the Raspberry Pi. Particle physics masterclasses were organized for students and high school teachers.

The teachers also attended the Physics Education and Physics Communication sessions of the ASP conference, and one of the teachers served on a panel for discussions on science education and capacity development in Africa.

Use of digital platform could be a solution to increase science teaching, teachers and students could channel the information: combine ICT and learning

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ASP Outreach Program for learners

Formalized and started in 2016

during ASP2016 in Rwanda

In ASP2018, we covered

39 high school around Windhoek
About 2000 leaners
In one week

High schools selected by LOC, Ministry of Education of host country; pupils selected by the high schools

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Windhoek, Namibia, July, 2018 ASP2018

Dr. Kenneth Cecire with learners

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High School Learners

10-12^th grade learners

The objective is to motivate pupils to develop or maintain interest in physics and related disciplines.

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ASP Conference

Participation of ASP Alumni
The proceedings of the ASP conference are in preparation to be published as a special issue of the African Review of Physics.
Participation of Research Faculties
Networking and collaborations
Professional presenting key-African-projects
Debate on the high education development in Namibia and South-Africa

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The African Conference on Fundamental and Applied Physics (ACP)

One week, integrated in ASP since 2018
The first ACP tool place in Namibia in July 2018
Formalized to promote

Participation of African research faculties
Encourage participation of African students not selected for ASP due to budget constraints
International conference open to anyone

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Prof. Lerothodi Leeuw at ACP2018

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Online Lectures during Pandemic

The following series have been captured in Indico

Series 1 (May7-Nov19 2020): ASP lecturers, see t he topical version by LINXS

Series 2 (Nov24-Jan02 2021): Photons and Neutrons, see LINXS version

Series 3 (since Feb 16 2021): ASP Alumni

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More organizational lectures:

International Association for Physics Student (IAPS) (09/02/2021)

ASP Mentorship Program (12/11/2020)

NB: Most videos are available on the given Indico and gathered in the Video_PlayList.

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ASP2021, July 19-30, 2021; �online school

ASP2020-Morocco

Cancelled because of COVID-19
A 2-week online version organized as ASP2021

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TOTAL: 649

African countries where 563

participants have institutional

affiliations

ACP2021, March 7-11, 2022

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ACP2021, March 7-11, 2022; TOTAL: 649

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Winners of contests of best oral and poster presentations

ACP2021, March 7-11, 2022—photo with selection committee members

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ASP Mentorship Program

Informal networking between ASP alumni and lecturers

Always present and encouraged

Structure mentorship formalized and integrated in 2016

Open to ASP alumni at PhD level
Runs on 2-year cycle
Pair alumni with ASP lecturers
Work with alumni academic advisors

Does not replace them

Light, information engagements

Between mentor / mentee
For extra assistance / support if needed

ASP alumni of 2018, some of whom has benefitted

from the ASP Mentorship Program

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Mentorship and Coaching

ASP2016: 20 students
ASP2018: 36 students registered

Track the impact of ASP
Support students & help address their academic needs
Work with Academic advisor
Formation of collaborations
Get African students involved
Connect Students w/ researcher
Improve the ASP program

Enthusiastic Mentors
Ability to share support beyond the academic level
Increasing # of Mentors & Mentees

Expert pairing
Capacity building
Funding & Partnerships

Summary Purpose Strengths & Needs for Improvement

In 2010 – Fermilab Fellowship, Neutrino Physics.

Since ASP2016, This is done in collaboration with the academic advisers of the students.

The student alumni are paired up different ASP lecturers whose roles are to follow the academic progress of the students and help as much as possible in the academic development of the students.

The objective of the mentorship program is to aid mainly PhD students after their participation in ASP to reach their goal of completing their PhD with assigned ASP lecturers as mentors. The ASP mentors are not replacements or substitutes of the students academics advisers. Rather, ASP mentors work together with students academic advisers for greater impact.

The ASP mentors are volunteers physicists that have lectured at one of the previous editions of ASP.

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ASP Short-term visits for Research

Selected ASP alumni to spend 3-6 month at U.S. laboratories for research

Assigned to work in research groups according to majors

Program formalized in 2019
9 ASP alumni came to Brookhaven National Laboratory, June-December 2019
Program will resume after COVID-19

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ASP alumni at BNL with BNL / DOE research advisors and staff

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ASP Mentorship during COVID-19 Pandemic

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APS alumni learned about

Analysis tools in C++ and Python
Understanding their data
Modeling, goodness of fit
Statistical analysis
Uncertainties (statistical,
systematic)
Estimation of basic reproduction number R₀
Giving scientific talks
Writing a paper and responding referees comments

> 50% of all COVID-19 cases in Africa were analyzed by 13 African students

First 12 months of COVID-19 data of 10 countries analyzed

Study published in the Scientific African

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2021.e00987

See the talk by Toivo S. Mabote (Mozambique, ASP2020 alumnus)

On Friday, March 11, 2022

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ASP Alumnus Yves Kini (Burkina Faso) Publication Based on Study Done during Short-Term Visit at BNL

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BNL Advisor during short-term visit: Dr. Peter Denton (theorist, neutrino physics)

Paper published in Physical Review D

Yves Kini is now pursuing PhD in astrophysics

	https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.102.123019

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ASP Alumna Dr. Mounia Laassiri gave an invited talk at DPF 2019-Boston

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Contribution to the American Physical Society

Division of Particles and Fields (DPF)-2019 Proceedings

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Serving on Thesis Committees / External Examiners / External Reviewers

Many of us, organizers or lecturers at ASP, do this

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Lucrèce Zahoundo (Bénin), alumnus ASP2018

MSc thesis study done using Deep Learning Tools

Many other cases like this

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Assisting Alumni in higher education opportunities �

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http://bulletinserv.cern.ch/emails/archive/353/

Top: Dr. Chilufya Mwewa, (Zambia, ASP2010), PhD (2020)

Diallo Boye (Senegal, ASP2012), PhD (2020)

Both Chilufya and Diallo are post-docs

at BNL to work on the ATLAS Experiment

Many other cases of active

engagement to help alumni

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ASP2022/ ACP2022— South Africa

The next host country of ASP is selected 2.5 years earlier
The next host invited to join the organization of current ASP
South Africa was selected in December 2019 to host ASP2022
At Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha on November 28 – December 9, 2022. However, ASP2022 will be organized in a hybrid mode

Site visit to South Africa on June 26 – July 2, 2022. Purpose of site visit:

Meet the LOC;
Secure support from host institute
Review logstics and make suggestions for improvements in time for the event

Student applications closed on June 1, 2022

We received 339 applications
Application reviews will be finalized by July 15, 2022
We aim to select 100 students: 60 in-person, 40 online

We will arrange a training program for high school teachers (50-70)
Further, we will include an outreach program for > 1000 learners
ACP2022 will take place in 2023

Still co-organized with NMU. Date and venue to be decided

ASP2024 will be in 2024 in Morocco

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ASP2022 Program

ASP2022, November 28 – December 9, 2020 — Scientific Program Overview
November 28 – December 2, 2022	Saturday December 3, 2022	Sunday December 4, 2022	December 5-9, 2022
Students Program	ASP Forum	Excursion	Students Program
Teachers Program	ASP Forum	Excursion	Learners Program

World Science Forum, Cape Town, December 6-9, 2022

We are working on the details of the scientific program

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Beyond the Academics

Social activities to facilitate interactions among students and lecturers
Create network for student: email, blog, web, FB, WhatsApp
Provide student with materials: indico, booklets
Video connection to CERN CCC and ICHEP conf.
Share experience with public lectures
Produce movie and press release
Students poster & oral sessions
Hands-on and lab-work
Shipping equipment (cloud chamber, PC, BPM)
Student Survey and School reports

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Where do African alumni go?

North America

Europe

Asia

Other Africa

African Alumni

89 complete records

58% stayed in-country

7%

3%

10%

21%

Courtesy Julia Gray

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Current studies and employment

“What do you do now? (you can make multiple selections) “

Studies and employment	# of alumni
Full time undergraduate student	2
Part time undergraduate student	0
Full time masters student	19
Part time master student	1
Full time doctorate student	39
Part time doctorate student	4
Studying at a non-degree granting institution	1
Full time postdoctoral researcher	3
Part time postdoctoral researcher	2
Full time professional work	11
Part time professional work	3
Full time work	3
Part time work	10
Internship	5
Unemployed	4
Looking for higher education opportunities	26

26

Looking for

Education

Opportunities

Full time

Part time

Courtesy Julia Gray

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Movements of African alumni in Africa

Togo

2

Nigeria

2

Senegal

1

Cameroon

1

Egypt

1

Ethiopia

1

Rwanda

6

Namibia

5

Algeria

1

Botswana

1

Namibia

1

South Africa

4

Rwanda

4

Tanzania

1

Kenya

1

Ethiopia

2

Cameroon

2

Niger

1

Madagascar

1

Where did they leave?

Where did they go?

Courtesy Julia Gray

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And finally some relaxing time: �Excursions and Festivities

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Conclusions

ASP was started in 2010

as a 3-week biennial event in Fundamental Physics (and applications) for university students including the ASP Forum, to liaise with policymakers

It has since been extended to include, in addition

Other fields of physics, of interest to Africa
Structured mentorship program continually for selected graduate students
A one-week workshop to train African high school teachers in the planning and delivery of physics instructions
A one-week physics outreach event to motivate African high school learners to develop and maintain interest in physics
A one-week African Conference on Fundamental and Applied Physics (ACP)
A weekly or bi-weekly online seminars or colloquia
3- to 6-month short-term visits to U.S. laboratories for physics research

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Science can transcend boundaries thanks to the ASP Program by giving exposure to African talents to Fundamental Physics and Applications

Our mission is also beyond academics !

We thanks our sponsors, the dedication of our lecturers, the perseverance of our students

Get Involved with ASP !

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