Electronic Structure Theory
From quantum mechanics to predictive models of matter.
Endorsed by IUPAP since 2010
African School on Electronic Structure Methods & Applications
A pan-African learning and research network advancing computational materials science through schools, mentorship, and lasting collaboration.
Support the next generation of African scientists8Schools Held
15+Years of Community
50+African Countries
2027Next School in Dakar
About ASESMA
More than a school: a scientific community built to last.
Every two years, ASESMA brings together students, researchers, and international lecturers for rigorous theory, hands-on computation, and the relationships that sustain research long after the school ends.
Read the ASESMA story01Theory + computation
First-principles teaching paired with open scientific codes.
02Mentorship + exchange
A network connecting generations and institutions across Africa.
03Research + impact
Capacity built around materials, energy, and emerging technology.
Explore ASESMA
Choose your path through the network.
The detailed programme, initiatives, people, and history now have their own focused spaces.
Schools & Curriculum
Where scientific foundations become research practice.
Explore school editions, the core curriculum, open opportunities, and teaching materials.
Network & Activities
A living research network beyond the biennial school.
Meet the regional initiatives, research groups, exchanges, and community channels that form the ASESMA Galaxy.
People & Partners
The people who sustain ASESMA across generations.
Meet the committees, international advisors, scientific partners, and institutions behind the programme.
School Archives
Explore all editions
Learning moves. The network remains.
Every edition brings the school to a new African research community, while teaching materials and collaborations continue to travel.
8th Edition
One school.
Many future collaborations.
Many future collaborations.
Lecturers, mentors, and participants at the latest biennial school.
Recent editions
Reports, photos, participants, and open teaching materials.
Research Areas
A curriculum built from first principles.
ASESMA concentrates on theory and computational methods for predicting and understanding properties of materials through calculations at the fundamental level of electronic structure.
Every topic pairs rigorous theory with hands-on tutorials using open-source scientific codes.
Density Functional Theory
Ground-state properties, functionals, and practical calculation.
Phonon Dynamics
Lattice vibrations and thermal properties of crystals.
Magnetism
Spin-dependent phenomena and magnetic materials.
Molecular Dynamics
Enhanced sampling and ab-initio simulations.
Materials Properties
Structural, mechanical, and optical behaviour.
Machine Learning
Data-driven approaches for materials discovery.
Quantum Computing
New computational approaches for materials science.
The ASESMA Galaxy
One school. A continent-wide network.
Independent, coordinated activities extend ASESMA beyond the biennial school—linking regional programmes, research groups, and international collaborators.
The shared core
ASESMA
CASESMA
Central African School on Electronic Structure Methods and Applications, operating from 2018–2024 across Dschang (Cameroon), Brazzaville (Congo), and Kinshasa (DR Congo).
ASESMANET
The Atomistic Simulations, Electronic Structure, Computational Materials Science and Applications network functions as a continental research network.
USAfri
The US-Africa Initiative for Electronic Structure fosters transatlantic collaboration in computational materials science.
Mini-Lectures
Short-format educational content (20 minutes plus discussion) delivered regularly to extend learning beyond the biennial school.
Working Groups
Specialized virtual teams focusing on many-body perturbation theory, catalysis research, and other advanced topics.
International Visits
Selected African scientists visit partner institutions globally, including Fudan University (China) for collaborative research.
Across the network
Regional Schools & Workshops
University of Ghana, Accra, Ghanamini-ASESMA2026
Ibadan, NigeriaMachine Learning Mini-School2024
Nairobi, KenyaMany-Body Theory Calculations2023
Addis Ababa, EthiopiaEnergy Technologies2021
Nairobi, KenyaDFT with SIESTA Code2021
Pretoria, South AfricaSASESMA - Southern African School2019
Upcoming
Events
Upcoming events will be announced soon.
Leadership & Governance
ASESMA Committees
The teams guiding ASESMA's long-term direction, school planning, and international scientific network.
Executive Committee
Provides strategic leadership and continuity across the ASESMA programme.
NS
Chair
Nicola Seriani
International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Italy
OA
Omololu Akin-Ojo
University of Ibadan, Nigeria
AE
Anne Etindele
University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon
GG
Garu Gebreyesus
University of Ghana, Ghana
FM
Fatema Mohamed
École Polytechnique, France
SN
Shobhana Narasimhan
Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Scientific Research, India
MP
Michele Pavanello
Rutgers University, USA
AS
Andre Schleife
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USA
Planning Committee
Coordinates the scientific programme, teaching activities, and delivery of future schools.
MG
Matteo Gatti
École Polytechnique, France
KG
Krishna Govender
University of Johannesburg, South Africa
RJ
Omamuyovwi Rita Jolayemi
Covenant University, Nigeria
JJ
Javier Junquera
University of Cantabria, Spain
SK
Stéphane Kenmoe
University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
YM
Yedilfana Setarge Mekonnen
Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
IT
Iurii Timrov
Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland
International Advisory Panel
Distinguished scientists who advise ASESMA and strengthen its international partnerships.
- Richard M. MartinChair · University of Illinois & Stanford University, USA
- Omololu Akin-OjoEast African Institute for Fundamental Research, Rwanda
- George AmoloTechnical University of Kenya, Kenya
- Stefano BaroniSISSA, Trieste, Italy
- Roberto CarPrinceton University, USA
- Mark CasidaUniversité Grenoble Alpes, France
- Richard CatlowRoyal Society, UK
- Nithaya ChettyUniversity of Pretoria, South Africa
- Michele CeriottiEPFL, Switzerland
- Claudia DraxlHumboldt University of Berlin, Germany
- Hugues DreysseStrasbourg, France
- Shiwu GaoBeijing Computational Science Research Center, China
- Eric GarfunkelRutgers University, USA
- Matteo GattiÉcole Polytechnique, France
- Garu GebreyesusUniversity of Ghana, Ghana
- Xin-Gao GongFudan University, China
- Sinead GriffinLawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA
- Jim GubernatisLos Alamos National Laboratory, USA
- Peter HaynesImperial College London & Thomas Young Centre, UK
- Ali HassanaliInternational Centre for Theoretical Physics, Italy
- Javier JunqueraUniversity of Cantabria, Spain
- David KribsAIMDS & University of Guelph, Canada
- Alessandro LaioSISSA, Italy
- Tony LeggettUniversity of Illinois, USA
- Richard LeSarIowa State University, USA
- Erik LuijtenNorthwestern University, USA
- Ryo MaezonoJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Japan
- Andrea MariniInstitute for the Structure of Matter, Italy
- Nicola MarzariEPFL, Switzerland
- Walter MeyerUniversity of Pretoria, South Africa
- Bernard M’Passi-MabialaBrazzaville, Republic of the Congo
- Shobhana NarasimhanJawaharlal Nehru Centre for Scientific Research, India
- Jeffrey NeatonUniversity of California, USA
- Chukwuemeka M. I. OkoyeUniversity of Nigeria, Nigeria
- Lucia ReiningÉcole Polytechnique, France
- Angel RubioMax Planck Institute & Flatiron Institute, Germany
- Sandro ScandoloInternational Centre for Theoretical Physics, Italy
- Happy SitholeCentre for High Performance Computing, South Africa
- Wole SoboyejoWorcester Polytechnic Institute, USA & AUST, Nigeria
- Nicola SpaldinETH Zurich, Switzerland
- Ahmadou WagueCheikh Anta Diop University, Senegal
- Renata WentzcovitchColumbia University, USA
- Hisham WidatallahSultan Qaboos University, Oman
- Paul WoafoUniversity of Yaoundé I, Cameroon
Support
Made possible together.
ASESMA is sustained by a long-standing community of scientific, institutional, and funding partners.
01
Core partners
IUPAP
ICTP
NSF
APS
02
Scientific partners
U.S. National Academy of Sciences
CECAM
Psi-k
NCCR-MARVEL
CNRS
EAIFR
03
Institutional support
NITheCS
CHPC
University of Rwanda
University of the Witwatersrand
Moi University
University of Duisburg-Essen
Thomas Young Centre
Quantum-ESPRESSO Foundation
U.S. Liaison Committee for IUPAP
Opportunities
Current Openings
No open opportunities right now. Check back soon.
Community
Resources & Community
Connect with the ASESMA community and access teaching materials from past schools.
Teaching Materials
Browse lecture notes, tutorials, and codes from all previous ASESMA schools. Everything is open and publicly available.
github.com/asesma-org →ASESMA Slack
Join the ASESMA community on Slack — connect with past participants, share research, and stay informed about upcoming events.
Request access →To join, contact info@asesma.org
An ASESMA LinkedIn page is coming soon — a space for past participants and the broader community to connect.
Coming Soon
Latest
News & Updates
Announcement
ASESMA-2025 Applications Open
Applications are now open for the 8th African School on Electronic Structure Methods and Applications at the University of Ghana, Accra.
January 2025
Get Involved
Stay close to what comes next.
ASESMA runs every two years. Register your interest and we'll reach out when the next school opens for applications.
Next schoolDakar · 2027