SKAO Partners with African Institutions for Astronomy and Human Capital Development

The SKAO has signed memoranda of understanding with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) and the African Astronomical Society (AfAS) focused on collaborating on human capital development programmes.
The agreements, establishing cooperation for the next five years, were signed during the International Astronomical Union’s General Assembly in Cape Town, South Africa – the first to be held on the African continent – where the SKAO had a major presence.

It is central to the SKAO’s mission to not only deliver exceptional science, but also to make a broader positive impact on society.

The Observatory’s footprint is already significant in South Africa, with the construction of the SKA-Mid telescope taking place in the Northern Cape. These agreements with our partners AfAS and SARAO are an important step towards delivering opportunities for the next generation of students and scientists across Africa. Our member countries globally will also benefit from the exchanges of ideas and knowledge that such programmes bring.

Prof. Philip Diamond, Director-General, SKAO

Under the memorandum of understanding between the SKAO and SARAO, the organisations will work together to provide opportunities for African students to study and train at leading universities in SKAO member countries, and provide opportunities for African students to participate in skills development interventions and programmes.

SARAO, a National Facility of the National Research Foundation, is the SKAO’s collaboration partner in delivering the SKA-Mid telescope. It has long-standing bursary programmes for South African students and those from the SKA African partner countries (Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia) to study astronomy, engineering, computer science and other related fields in South Africa.

This partnership will build on the tremendous advancements already achieved through SARAO’s existing programs that support the development of radio astronomy capacity on the African continent. Broadening the collaboration establishes a sustainable approach to skills development that continues to unlock Africa’s potential.

Pontsho Maruping, Managing Director, SARAO

The memorandum of understanding between the SKAO and AfAS establishes a determination to work together to develop programmes promoting radio astronomy, multi-wavelength and multi-messenger astronomy, and associated sciences on the African continent, using these activities as a tool for social and economic development in Africa.

This builds on existing collaborations between the two organisations, which includes a recent agreement for the SKAO to provide a standing sponsorship for the AfAS annual meeting. As the pan-African society for professional astronomers, headquartered in South Africa, AfAS aims to contribute to addressing the challenges faced in Africa through the promotion and advancement of astronomy. Its key objective is to develop astronomy and human capacity throughout Africa.

Astronomy is about two things: knowledge and people. This creates an automatic synergy between the SKAO and AfAS.

We host excellent astronomical facilities in African countries but we need human capital development to make sure that these instruments do not only produce data, but also produce science. Our cooperation with the SKAO will help Africa to become a knowledge-producing continent.

Prof. Thebe Rodney Medupe, President, AfAS