My first encounter with AIMS dates back to 2011, the year the institute opened its doors in Senegal. I was still in middle school then, and I vividly remember watching the opening ceremony on television. From that moment, attending AIMS Senegal became a cherished dream, one that finally came true in September 2019.
Looking back on my time at AIMS, I am filled with deep gratitude for the transformative impact it has had on my life. The rigorous, specialized education I received there enabled me to pursue my passion for artificial intelligence. Though my master’s was in differential geometry, the unique training at AIMS equipped me with a comprehensive skill set perfectly aligned with the demands of the professional world.
Several key factors shaped my ability to adapt and thrive in any work environment. My roommate from an English-speaking country became an invaluable mentor in language proficiency. Our daily conversations and the institute’s English-taught courses significantly strengthened my communication skills. Beyond language, AIMS nurtured my problem-solving abilities, instilled resilience under pressure, and reinforced the value of continuous learning, teamwork, and self-improvement.
At AIMS, I learned to approach complex challenges with confidence, embrace change, and proactively seek opportunities for growth through certifications and specializations. The institute’s commitment to holistic student development empowered me to integrate seamlessly into diverse projects, whether in AI or automation.
I cherished every moment at AIMS, seizing each opportunity as though it were my last, and drawing fully from the wisdom of eminent professors. This experience deepened my knowledge, strengthened my self-confidence, and gave me the courage to spread my wings.
As our time at the institute drew to a close, AIMS played a pivotal role in connecting students with internship opportunities. I had the privilege of being selected for a computer vision internship at LIMSAD, a prestigious research laboratory. This transformative experience allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems, and culminated in the publication of an article in the Springer scientific journal “A Face Mask Detection System Based on Deep Learning Convolutional Neural Networks” a milestone that shaped my career direction and opened the door to my first role as a data scientist.
In gratitude for everything my alma mater gave me, I have actively collaborated with the AIMS Senegal board since 2021 to facilitate internship recruitment for students within companies in my network and beyond. To date, I have contributed to the placement of around 30 interns, supporting their professional growth. In doing so, I strive to uphold the AIMS legacy and pass the AIMS spirit on to the next generation of brilliant young African scholars.