By Oguadimma Chisom
Hussaini Garba Mohammed, an alumnus of the Harbinger training, has been awarded a travel grant to participate in the 11th Heidelberg Laureate Forum (HLF) conference in Germany; scheduled to be held in September.
The conference will take place from September 22 to 27, 2024, bringing together some of the brightest minds in mathematics and computer science for an unrestrained, interdisciplinary exchange.
The HLF Conference is a mouthwatering event that brings together mathematicians and computer scientists from around the world, to have the opportunity to connect with scientific pioneers and draw from the rich body of experience brought by the attending laureates.
The selected participants will be explored through lectures and panel discussions; forms of scientific programs and interactive program elements such as Workshops and Master Classes provide a great variety of avenues for attendees to interact and share ideas. It’s also a compelling networking event that combines scientific, social, and outreach activities in a unique atmosphere, sustained by comprehensive exchange and scientific inspiration.
Fortunately, Garba Mohammed, an alumnus of Harbinger News, who participated in the Harbinger Media 3-Day extensive training, held in December 2023. He also doubled as a staffer of the Media Trust Group; Daily Trust, Daily Trust (Saturday and Sunday), Aminiya Newspapers, Trusttv, and Trust Radio, has won a travel grant to attend the 11th Heidelberg Laureate Forum Foundation (HLF) conference.
Being in science journalism for over a decade, he has a track record in science journalism, and has become a prominent figure in the field; with a passion for mathematics and computer science, which is attributed to his writing numerous articles and encouraging students to pursue these subjects. Similarly, he advises students to read science articles and journals, participate in science-related forums, and take responsibility for covering breaking news in the field.
His efforts have yielded remarkable results, with 14 Nigerian students participating in the HLF forum in 2022, a significant increase from the two participants in 2016.
In this phase, Harbinger Reporter interviewed Hussaini Garba Mohammed, the winner of the HLF travel grant, including what made him qualify for the Travel grant and the process involved in the application.
Tell us about yourself.
“I am Hussaini Garba Mohammed. I started working as a freelancer at Triumph Publishing Company, a Kano State Government, own publishing company in 1995.
Later on, I joined the Media Trust Group on 1st April 2003, and later became the Head of Editorial Production (Operations)/Deputy Production Manager (Editorial), and now Manager of Editorial Production.
I graduated with first-class during my Master’s degree in Production management from the National Institute of Business Management, Chennai, India in 2015; a fellow of African Investigative Journalism (AIJC); Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue Media Fellow (BETD); Associate Member of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ); Fellow of RNTC, and Public Interest Journalism (PIJ).”
How did you know about the HEIDELBERG LAUREATE FORUM?
“I came across the HLF during my Master’s program in India through Indian mathematicians and computer science students who participated during the 2nd HLF forum in 2014.
“The HLF was founded in 2013 by Klaus Tschira, a German physicist who co-founded the Systems Applications and Products (SAP) – the largest independent software producer worldwide and the largest producer of standard business applications. He was also the brain behind the Klaus Tschira Stiftung Foundation, which was founded in 1995. He addressed the gathering of the HLF during its opening ceremony in 2013 and passed away in 2015.”
What Do You Think That Stood You Out Of Other Applicants?
“This is not the 1st time I have won this travel grant, it is now my 3rd time, and I believe that the reason I was shortlisted is because I stand to be the HLF Nigerian Ambassador, who advocates for Mathematics and Computer science as a course.
Plus, “I wrote different articles about Mathematics, computer and Natural science which encourages many Nigerian and African students to have interest in pursuing Mathematics or Computer Science; because the majority of our students in Africa in general see the study of Mathematics or computer science as only leading to teaching in a class.”
Did you have a dare experience during the application?
The only challenging part was how to write a motivational letter. You have to focus on the motivation letter, as you know the letter has to express, who you are, a personal document detailing your professional skills and reasons for applying for the travel grants.
Can you tell us more about the HLF?
Traditionally, it is to meet with young researchers, and the recipients of the Abel Prize, the ACM A.M. Turing Award, the ACM Prize in Computing, the Fields Medal, the IMU Abacus Medal, and the Nevanlinna Prize engage in cross-generational scientific dialogue with other stakeholders, to come together to interact within a week for scientific networking and exchanging great ideas.
What are your expectations from the HLF forum?
To interact with many laureates, especially the old and the new participants, of about 200 Young researchers across the world. At all phases of their careers – Undergraduate, Pre-Master, or PhD students in mathematics and computer science. Also, the application said all the selected young researchers will have a unique opportunity to interact with the laureates.
What Is your advice for upcoming science journalists?
My advice is, that they should read science articles, journals and participate in different science related forum, determine big ideas about math and computer science or science-related including climate change related field, join a professional group, report on scientific findings at conferences or symposiums, take responsibilities for covering breaking news about current events in the field of science and how those discoveries could impact society.
For ten years in his career, Mohammed has received numerous awards and recognition for his contributions to science journalism. His commitment to promoting science and mathematics education has made a significant impact, and he continues to model young science journalists.
Culled from: https://harbinger.com.ng/harbinger-alumnus-wins-travel-grant-to-hlf-conference/