The Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) is pleased to announce an important outreach partnership with SAS, a global leader in data and AI.
AMSI’s partnership with SAS aims to help First Nations primary school students across New South Wales (NSW) improve their data literacy.
The first initiative under this partnership is set to be the purchase and dissemination of the 2026 edition of AMSI’s highly regarded maths textbook series, ICE-EM Mathematics, to rural and regional primary schools in NSW with a high proportion of First Nations students. This rollout will commence in August 2026.
The upcoming fourth edition of the ICE-EM Mathematics textbook series is groundbreaking for the depth of student resource content which explores how numeracy skills are influenced by culture and context, particularly First Nations cultures. This framing of problem solving grounded in First Nations mathematical thinking and cultural practice resonated with SAS’s deep commitment to reconciliation.
The AMSI-SAS partnership is testament to their shared belief that diversity of participation in mathematics is critical to future-proofing the STEM sector for generations to come. Both parties share a consensus that the benefits of a nation’s mathematical capability and capacity are shared by all, and flow to individuals and organisations through increased employability, job creation, economic mobility, productivity and global competitiveness.
Commenting on the announcement, Libby Shade, Senior Human Resources Manager at SAS, emphasised the untapped potential of SAS’s partnership with AMSI in enabling the next generation of First Nations STEM students, “SAS’s collaboration with AMSI aligns our long-term focus on encouraging and nurturing data literacy in students, while helping to achieve meaningful outcomes for First Nations students across NSW.”
Ian Edwards, Head of Global Academic Program, Asia Pacific at SAS, struck a similar tone, affirming the company’s long-term commitment to supporting education initiatives such as this, “SAS is passionate about education outreach and giving each new generation the power to change what is possible. Our work with AMSI is pivotal to building interest in data and analytics for the next generation of First Nations students.”
The support of SAS will aid AMSI in its drive to achieve its vision for all Australians to have the opportunity to develop their mathematics skills and knowledge, to enhance their careers, acquire essential life skills and to enrich their lives, regardless of their cultural or socio-economic background.
Lisa Farrar, Associate Director at AMSI, who worked with SAS in shaping the partnership, commended SAS’s commitment to providing First Nations students with the necessary tools to spark their mathematical curiosity, “Every Australian should be given equal opportunity to develop their mathematics skills and knowledge. I applaud SAS’s commitment to getting these textbooks into the hands of our First Nations students.”
About AMSI: AMSI is a not-for-profit peak body for the mathematical sciences with a breadth of members including Australian universities, professional societies, government agencies and industry. AMSI champions mathematics, statistics and data science for Australia’s advancement through advocacy, facilitation, and collaboration. The ICE-EM Mathematics series is published in collaboration with Cambridge University Press & Assessment.
About SAS: SAS is a global leader in data and AI. With SAS software and industry-specific solutions, organizations transform data into trusted decisions. SAS gives you THE POWER TO KNOW®.
Media Inquiries:
Robbie Byrne
Marketing and Communications Coordinator, AMSI
robbie.byrne@amsi.org.au
