mini-ASESMA School 2026: Atomistic and Quantum Simulation of Materials
We are pleased to announce the mini-ASESMA School on Atomistic and Quantum
Simulation of Materials, which will take place at the University of Ghana (Accra,
Ghana) from 15 to 26 June 2026, with support from Psi-k and the University of
Ghana.
Webpage: https://www.ug.edu.gh/physics/node/192
To apply: https://forms.gle/WfYLpHZmfDffoNjk6
Deadline for applications: 15 April 2026
This focused regional training event builds on the long-standing ASESMA initiative
(African School on Electronic Structure Methods and Applications), which has been
promoting advanced education in electronic-structure theory and computational
materials science across Africa since 2010. The mini-ASESMA format offers a smaller,
highly interactive environment aimed at providing in-depth theoretical training and
extensive hands-on tutorials.
This is a regional school, i.e. primarily intended for students and young
researchers from the University of Ghana and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and
Technology (Kumasi). Applications from students from other African countries are
also very welcome; however, financial support is not available for these
participants, and they would need to fully sponsor their own participation.
Lecturers and tutors include:
* G. Gebreyesus (University of Ghana),
* I. Timrov (Paul Scherrer Institute),
* M. Pavanello (Rutgers University),
* J. Junquera (Universidad de Cantabria),
* J. J. Baldoví (University of Valencia),
* V. Rios Vargas (Rutgers University),
* S. Schären (Paul Scherrer Institute).
Topics include:
* Fundamentals of quantum mechanics and solid-state physics
* Density Functional Theory (DFT)
* Advanced exchange-correlation functionals (DFT+U, hybrids, meta-GGA, van der
Waals)
* Magnetism
* Density Functional Perturbation Theory (DFPT)
* Time-Dependent DFT (TDDFT)
* Machine learning for materials science
Hands-on tutorials will be based on electronic-structure codes such as Quantum
ESPRESSO, SIESTA, DFTpy, QEpy, and others.
By emphasizing slow-paced lectures, problem-solving sessions, and extended
computational tutorials, the mini-ASESMA school aims to strengthen local expertise
and foster a new generation of researchers in computational materials science across
Africa, while promoting collaboration with the international community.
ASESMA mini-lectures: from 30th January 2025: