Audace Dossou-Olory shares the story of his humble beginnings in Benin to pursuing a career in Mathematics together with some useful advice for the next generation of mathematicians.
Illustration by Cayla Basson
I hail from Porto-Novo, the capital city of Benin, and went to primary and secondary schools in Cotonou, the administrative capital of Benin, where I also obtained my scientific Baccalau- reate degree with mathematics, physics and chemistry as major subjects. I come from a very modest African family, and I am fortunate that everyone played their role the best way they could in helping me become what I am today. My interest in mathematics began during my el- ementary school time and became very clear in my third year of high school when I was taught plane geometry. I started enjoying mathemat- ics courses more than the other children, and my high school teachers strongly encouraged me to do science. They were my first point of contact before I met Rodrigue Dossou-Cad- ja, a classmate of mine who also inspired me a lot by what he did and said. At that time, Rodri- gue Dossou-Cadja was excellent in all subjects taught in high school and the challenge for me was to surpass him, especially in mathematics. This dream actually became a reality from the second half of my fourth year at high school – I was the only student who always got the highest marks in mathematics from that point on.
For me, mathematics was more than a tool for solving problems. I decided to study mathematics because I wanted to learn a new language and a new way of thinking. Although none of my parents ever went to university, it did not constitute a barrier for me to make my dream of becoming a mathematics lecturer at university come true. I was admitted with a scholarship into the “Ecole Polytechnique d’Abomey-Calavi” (EPAC). It was at EPAC that I fully confirmed and focused my dreams on a career in science and engineering. I was once again privileged to have a lecturer who shared my passion for both mathematics and engineering. He helped me to see that science is beautiful and that mathematical concepts can develop intellectual maturity. With dedication and determination, I graduated almost simultaneously with two degrees: a “Maitrise” in Pure Mathematics and a Design Engineering Diploma in Electrical Energy.
Illustration by Liani Malherbe
I quickly learned that mathematics offers one the advantage of being able to work in a very wide range of practical fields. For example, mathematical knowledge can enable one to work in any unit of companies and factories, in relat- ed business fields such as planning engineer re- sponsible for resource planning in enterprises, as purchasing engineer responsible for the pro- curement of raw materials and supplies in fac- tories, etc. The knowledge of mathematics sets an engineer apart from a technician! As an elec- trical engineer with a solid mathematical back- ground, I certainly represent the core research and development staff within the profession.
The undergraduate courses also gave me val- uable experience and awakened the desire to explore further how mathematics can be used to make a significant contribution in solving the world’s problems. My graduate supervisor in engineering at the time informed me about the mathematical sciences postgraduate program at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) in South Africa, and I made sure I seized the opportunity to apply. I was fortunate enough to be among the 54 African candidates who were selected for the final round of applications, and the only Beninese accepted for the South African center. During my time at AIMS, I developed the ability to voice my opinions and to engage in discussions about scientific topics. Also, with the help of my research supervisor Professor Stephan Wagner, I took a vantage of another research need – the use of dynamic programming approach in graph theory to solve extremal problems involving chemical graph invariants. I concluded my Struc- tured Master Degree in mathematical sciences with distinction.
With the background knowledge I had in math- ematics, I strongly felt that a doctoral course with specialisation in combinatorics and ex- tremal graph theory would be very relevant to my practice back in my home country Benin. This led me to study a PhD program in the mathemat- ics division at Stellenbosch University. Although my PhD topic was mostly theoretical and dealt with a structure called “tree”, it turns out that it is related to mathematical biology. Trees are also commonly used by computer scientists in the analysis of algorithms.
For me, the needed requirements to study math- ematics are patience, love for it and practice. There is simply no limit on the level of mathe- matics one will encounter as one goes deeper and deeper into research. However, it is not only the research experience that has driven my de- sire to do advanced studies in mathematics but also the teaching experience. I have worked as a part-time lecturer and also a teaching assis- tant of various mathematics subjects and have learned diverse ways of delivering knowledge to the future generation. I sometimes write guest posts about mathematics in layman terms on the shared site https://aperiodical.com/author/au- dacedossouolory/. My long term not only dream but destiny is to make a positive impact on so- ciety through my knowledge in mathematics and electrical engineering.
I have been a research fellow with the depart- ment of mathematics and applied mathematics at the University of Johannesburg since August 2019. Recently, I won one of the two Ibni Prizes 2020, which are awarded every two years under the auspices of, among others, the Mathematical Society of France (SMF) and the Centre Inter- national de Mathématiques Pures et Appliquées (CIMPA) to African young talented mathemati- cians working in West and Central Africa.
My message to the next generation: Do not be afraid of mathematics. It is a core subject that has made new technologies possible!
Dr Audace Dossou-Olory
Postdoctoral researcher Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics University of Johannesburg South Africa
Mon cher jeune Docteur de son état, Pour avoir été ton camarde des classes à l’EPAC, je t’en courage vivement à poursuivre tes recherches afin d’atteindre ton rêve le plus désiré… Bonne chance dans ton parcours talentueux.
good path to follow !! we are already benefiting from the fruit of your efforts.
Je ne peux que vous souhaitez du bonheur dans notre vie… beaucoup de courage et de détermination et que l’esprit Saint soit votre bouclier… qu’il vous éclaire et vous assiste durant toute votre parcours…..
I can only wish you all the happiness of this world… a lot of courage and determination..
I implore the assistance of the Holy Spirit on your life so that it is your shield and enlightens you in every difficulty of your life..
J’aime
Great!
Great
Un parcours très remarquable. Admiration et félicitations. Je me surprends aussi d’apprendre que les mathématiques offraient de si nombreuses opportunités.
Félicitations, et merci pour les conseils. Bonne chance pour la suite.
Dr Audace Dossou-Olory
Thank you for yur story and the advices you gave to those who have to face some challenges in life and need mathematics or applied mathematics to reach theirs goals.
Such as me, I need this science to explain some things in banking and finance or finance behavioral. And I discouver the large scape of mathematical sciences with you and Ismade. I’m not a pure product of mathematics like you. I’m from banking & finance and I expected find my way and my interest with this science.
You are one of the best teachers I met in my studying life who make mathematics as simple and easy comprehensive as singing to Lord.
Thank you Dr Audace Dossou-Olory
Gino A., your past student.