A special invitation arrived in the mailbox of Prosper Ngabonziza, just a few weeks ago. The 33-year old PhD-student from Rwanda is invited to the 65th edition of the Lindau Nobel Meetings. Ngabonziza is part of a select group of 672 young scientist from around the world that are invited to join at the meeting with 70 Nobel Prize Winners at the end of June.
NOMINATION
The invitation is a result of the nomination of Ngabonziza by the African Institute for Mathemathical Sciences and the Robert Bosch Stiftung of Germany. He is honoured to be invited, and is looking forward to the opportunity of meeting some of the worlds most reknown scientists. “I hope to hear some tips and tricks on how you can develop yourself as good as possible in the scientific field. Besides, they do have good knowledge and a vision on how the field will develop in the forthcoming years. I have already checked the names of the Noble Prize Winners that will attend, and noted a few interesting winners. For example Brian David Josephson, Serge Haroche and Klaus von Klitzing, who are working in my specific field of interest. I hope I will meet them.”
LINDAU NOBEL LAUREATE MEETINGS
The prestigious Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings, as the meeting is officially named, is a five day event that is being held for the 65th time. Each year, the meeting is centered around a specific theme. This year however, the meeting will have a multidisciplinary approach as Nobel Prize Winners in e.g. chemistry, physics and health will attend.
Ngabonziza is working on his PhD-promotion in the faculty group of Hans Hilgenkamp at the faculty of Science and Technology (TNW). His research focuses on topological insulator materials. He spends part of his time working for the Dutch foundation for research on materials, FOM. After finishing his PhD, Ngabonziza hopes to continue his career as a postdoctoral researcher.
Currently he lives with his wife Claudine and daughter Ineza in Enschede. “I am enjoying life here at the moment, but in the end, I would like to return to Africa. That can be in either a scientific role or within a company. As long as I can contribute to the development of the continent. Besides, as a young engineering, I would like to be an example for young talented engineers and show how you can reach far if you work hard and dare to dream.”
