Ouagadougou—The Mathematics and Computer Science Laboratory (LAMI) at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University initiated its 2023 doctoral studies on Tuesday. The event includes thirty doctoral students who will present their research over a seventy-two-hour period, aiming for a defense in 2023 or early 2024.
According to a new release by Burkina Information Agency, the director of LAMI and former Minister of National Education, the Doctoral School of Science and Technology (ED-ST) aspires to equip students with a variety of skills. These include recognizing the importance of research-based education, self-potential identification, and skill valorization.
Ouaro elaborated that the three-day gathering serves as a forum for students to engage with a non-specialist audience. The objective is to prepare them for post-thesis opportunities and encourage teamwork. The students are also introduced to various sectors and their key players to ponder upon their professional integration post-thesis.
The areas of research at LAMI range from algebra, analysis, and differential equations to partial differential equations and mathematical modeling for life sciences and computer science, according to Ouaro. LAMI, a member of the ED-ST, comprises researchers, teacher-researchers, and doctoral students specializing in both fundamental and applied mathematics.
This year’s major innovation, Ouaro noted, is the incorporation of both face-to-face and online sessions. This facilitates participation from doctoral students and thesis directors who are away on missions.
Each participating doctoral student undergoes a jury evaluation. The jury comprises the student’s thesis supervisor(s) and senior lecturer-researchers specialized in the candidate’s area of study. The evaluation involves a series of questions from participants followed by discussions.
Issaka Siko, the representative of the director of the ED-ST at Ki-Zerbo University, emphasized that doctoral studies are integral to LAMI’s culture. According to Siko, these studies serve as a crucial phase for students to refine their research, thereby enabling them to complete their work within the projected timeframe.
Research activities at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University are organized annually, involving doctoral studies, presentations, seminars, and workshops to promote interdisciplinary interaction among students.