The invitation that landed on the doormat of a PhD student from Rwanda was not just any invitation. Since 2012, Prosper Ngabonziza has been carrying out research in Professor Alexander Brinkman's Interfaces and Correlated Systems department at the UT. Before studying in the Netherlands, Ngabonziza obtained a bachelor's and master's degree in Physics in Johannesburg. The African Institute for Mathematical Science awarded him with a scholarship for his master's degree. The same organization, along with German foundation, the Robert Bosch Stiftung, nominated him to attend the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is not one that many people are presented with. A total of 672 young researchers from 89 countries were selected to attend the meeting.
Proud
'I found out about by nomination last November', says Ngabonziza. 'But it was only recently that I was told I had actually been selected. I am, of course, very proud and extremely happy. This gives me the unique opportunity of meeting 70 Nobel Laureates and of asking them for advice and tips. I am already working on a list of questions.'
It is not only because he is a talented young researcher that Ngabonziza was selected. 'The African Institute for Mathematical Science is, of course, hoping that I will go on to inspire other young African researchers.'
Legacy
His family and colleagues are proud of his selection, too. 'I often think of the wise words spoken by my mother. In Rwanda, the tradition is that you inherit your parents' land. But my mother said that her legacy to me was my head. She said I should use it wisely, as it would be more valuable to me than a piece of land.'
Ngabonziza will have completed his doctoral degree in about six months' time. His attendance at the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting will certainly be something that will feature on his CV. 'Once I have obtained my PhD, I would like to carry out post-doctoral research somewhere in Europe. And then I would like to return to Africa, along with my wife and child. Here in Europe, knowledge and technology are already at such a high level, but in Africa there is still so much work to be done. I would like to make a contribution to that work.'
