The Square Kilometre Array Organisation (SKAO) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) to develop an SKAO Africa Programme within the next 12 months. The programme will focus on developing human capital in radio astronomy and related computing disciplines across Africa.
Such collaborations enable leading UK, Africa, and beyond researchers to collaborate on global projects like the Square Kilometre Array. This programme would build on the significant development of the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) and the South African Department of Science and Innovation (DSTI) in astronomy and space science capacity building. These efforts started during South Africa’s bid to be an SKAO host country in 2010 and have involved collaborating with a network of eight African partner countries (Ghana, Kenya, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Madagascar, Mozambique and Mauritius) on human capital development while exploring the possibilities of constructing radio dishes on the African continent.
“The work by our partners at SARAO, the National Research Foundation and DSI has been pivotal in growing the field of radio astronomy on the African continent, and the SKAO Africa programme will complement that work, bringing together and helping to expand existing initiatives,” said SKAO Head of International Relations Thijs Geurts. “The SKAO Africa programme supports our long-term desire to see a broader involvement in the Observatory across Africa. We aim to help develop the astronomy communities in countries across the continent, which will add to the SKAO and enhance capability in STEM areas in those countries.”
The DARA Programme
Key among such initiatives to build capacity in radio astronomy across Africa is the Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy (DARA) programme. Launched in 2015, the programme is a collaborative initiative between the UK and South Africa focused on fostering academic partnerships and implementing training programs across African nations. The programme further recognises that astronomy integrates essential scientific and technological skills for building a robust economy. Over the years, DARA has made significant strides, training 326 students across all eight SKA partner countries.
The UK STFC has also been a key partner in the DARA programme, facilitating connections between African and UK institutions and providing scholarships to support African students. Earlier this year, STFC announced an additional GBP 6.5 million (USD 8.2 million) in funding. This funding will further the programme’s impact by training 225 more students across the continent over the next three years.
Opportunities for Development
The SKAO Africa programme will expand student opportunities to develop technical skills and enhance African radio astronomy capacity in preparation for the SKA rollout soon. In August, SKAO initiated these efforts by signing an MoU with SARAO and the African Astronomical Society to further promote human capacity development in African astronomy.
Source: http://spaceinafrica.com/2024/12/03/skao-and-stfc-partner-to-implement-skao-africa-programme/
