December 13th, 2017 – Kigali, Rwanda: The Bank of Kigali and the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) today signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking the beginning of a partnership to respond to industry needs with graduates skilled in mathematical sciences. The partnership will focus on opportunities for collaboration and the progressive commitment between AIMS and the Bank of Kigali for mutual benefits. This partnership also sets a framework for both organisations to discuss the possibility for collaboration on the AIMS Industry Initiative strategic pillars including: Innovative Design and Thinking for African Solutions that allows AIMS graduates to work on top business challenges and propose innovative solutions including the design, prototypes for new products and services to support the Bank of Kigali’s innovation objectives, business operations and growth.
“We at AIMS are very proud and excited about this partnership with the Bank of Kigali. We believe that education is not something to be acquired in a vacuum. It must enable graduates to contribute tangibly to industry needs. An education in mathematical sciences, combined with industry experience, respond to the needs of Africa’s private sector and enables our graduates to meaningfully contribute to Africa’s growth story,” said Thierry Zomahoun, President and CEO of AIMS.
The partnership between the Bank of Kigali and AIMS includes collaboration on internship and employment opportunities and academic research applied to financial industry needs and the Bank of Kigali specific needs related to one or several of the following aspects: operational research, financial mathematics, climate and environmental science, big data, computer security, encryption, monitoring and evaluation.
“Education and innovation are two of the three pillars of Bank of Kigali’s Corporate Social Responsibility strategy. We are particularly excited about our new partnership with AIMS because it gives us an opportunity to directly support the training of the next generation of our country’s problem solvers through Science and research which are important to Rwanda’s development agenda,” said Dr. Diane Karusisi, Bank of Kigali Chief Executive Officer.
Under the new partnership, Bank of Kigali will provide AIMS access to facilities, datasets and other tools needed for research and specialised training programmes in accordance with the legal framework and procedures related to data access.
About AIMS
AIMS is Africa’s first and biggest pan-African network of centres of excellence for post-graduate training, research and public engagement in mathematical sciences. AIMS enable Africa’s brightest students to become innovators that propel scientific, educational and economic self-sufficiency.
About the Bank of Kigali
Established in 1966, Bank of Kigali is the largest bank in Rwanda by Total Assets, with 36.1% market share as of 30 September 2017. The Bank has a distribution network comprising 79 branches, 91 ATMs, 1,398 agent outlets and serves over 244,000 individuals and over 23,000 corporate entities. The Bank has a wide distribution network that includes self-service channels such as deposit-taking ATMs and Point of Sale terminals as well as channels that are geared towards promoting financial inclusion such as mobile vans. The Bank has a short-term credit rating of A1+ and a long-term rating of AA-, with a stable outlook, from Global Credit Rating (GCR). In 2011, the Bank became the second domestic company to be listed on the Rwandan Stock Exchange. The Bank was awarded the 2016 African Banker Award for Best Bank in East Africa as well as the 2016 Euromoney Award for Excellence as the Best Bank in Rwanda. Since 2009, the Bank has been recognized for eight years running as the Best Bank in Rwanda by Emeafinance, and Bank of the Year by The Banker. For further information, please visit www.bk.rw or contact.
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Kenneth Agutamba
E: kagutamba@bk.rw; Cell: +250786027668
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