| Summary: |
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) setup in 2011 the "Office of Astronomy for Development" (OAD), based at the South African Astronomical Observatory, South Africa. The aim of the OAD is to develop, facilitate and implement the vision of "Astronomy for a better world". Subsequently, in 2012, the IAU incorporated this vision in its strategic plan, "Astronomy for Development"; ie the use of astronomy as a tool for development by mobilizing the human and financial resources to connect science with economic growth and cultural change in society. Also in 2012, an international panel of astronomers took the decision to co-site the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) in the deserts of Southern Africa and Australia. The SKA has been identified as a landmark project by the European Commision as part of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI). This unique project, to build an array of telescopes, is as much a technological feat as it will be an amazing scientific instrument.
In order to build capacity around radio astronomy, SKA South Africa is developing a network of telescopes capable of working as one on the African continent. This will establish training and teaching facilities around the SKA African Partner Countries (Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia). Portugal has recently applied to become an SKA Organisation member state and the initial funding for portuguese human capacity has been funded, through ENGAGE SKA. The goals of ENGAGE SKA include cyberinfrastructure, internet of things, big data and renewable energies.
DOPPLER, in collaboration with ENGAGE SKA, will address the strategic plans set out by the
OAD/IAU and the efforts of the SKA South Africa project to build capacity in the region, particularly Mozambique. Although the participation of the African Partner countries is not expected until the mid-2020s, efforts are required - right now - to transf  |
Summary
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) setup in 2011 the "Office of Astronomy for Development" (OAD), based at the South African Astronomical Observatory, South Africa. The aim of the OAD is to develop, facilitate and implement the vision of "Astronomy for a better world". Subsequently, in 2012, the IAU incorporated this vision in its strategic plan, "Astronomy for Development"; ie the use of astronomy as a tool for development by mobilizing the human and financial resources to connect science with economic growth and cultural change in society. Also in 2012, an international panel of astronomers took the decision to co-site the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) in the deserts of Southern Africa and Australia. The SKA has been identified as a landmark project by the European Commision as part of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI). This unique project, to build an array of telescopes, is as much a technological feat as it will be an amazing scientific instrument.
In order to build capacity around radio astronomy, SKA South Africa is developing a network of telescopes capable of working as one on the African continent. This will establish training and teaching facilities around the SKA African Partner Countries (Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia). Portugal has recently applied to become an SKA Organisation member state and the initial funding for portuguese human capacity has been funded, through ENGAGE SKA. The goals of ENGAGE SKA include cyberinfrastructure, internet of things, big data and renewable energies.
DOPPLER, in collaboration with ENGAGE SKA, will address the strategic plans set out by the
OAD/IAU and the efforts of the SKA South Africa project to build capacity in the region, particularly Mozambique. Although the participation of the African Partner countries is not expected until the mid-2020s, efforts are required - right now - to transfer knowledge, technology and develop the necessary skills to operate these telescopes independently. In particular, two new teaching telescopes (expected at the Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Mozambique, in late August 2017) will allow different groups of students, from physicists to engineers, to train and develop much needed skills in STEM. DOPPLER will, furthermore, engage Mozambique's participation by organising workshops and training sessions in Mozambique in areas of radio astronomy (UA, IT, FCUP), earth observations (FCUP, as applied to agriculture, biology, coastal region monitoring) and big data (IT, FCUP). We envisage linking with colleagues in Brazil and India who have also a long standing culture of radio astronomy. However, given that not everyone that goes to university will become an academic, the training will allow attendees to contribute to industries including telecommunications, space sciences, land management, computing and big data, truly driving change and an impact on the economy activity. |