African Astronomical Society-AfAS and IAU office of Astronomy –OAD Collaboration and Partnership

1. Presented by The President of AfAS, Pius N. Okeke at OAD Workshop, Cape Town South Africa December 12, 2011 African Astronomical Society-AfAS and IAU office of Astronomy –OAD Collaboration and Partnership

2. Chattered in 2010 in Burkino FASO Ouagadogou Declaration Launched in April 2011 in Cape Town – Middle-East & African Regional IAU meeting. Primary Goal of AfAS is to promote and support Astronomical Research on the continent and to facilitate the use of Astronomy in addressing the Challenges in Africa. History of AfAS

3. AfAS has a desire to work, coordinate and . – partner with OAD on joint endeavours. AfAS will play a part to make it happen – and use the resources at its disposal to help OAD as needed. AfAS has a strong partnership with the US based National Society of Black Physicists. Both organizations are committed to working with OAD. OAD should therefore Brainstorm with AfAS/NSBP on how to jointly tackle specific projects Introduction

4. AfAS is determined to change the conditions in which astronomers work on the continent by increasing the funding and public support. To get such a support we need to demonstrate that astronomy is extremely important for economic development. Sources of such support need to be identified Develop web-based social network for African Astronomy Research World wide Advocate for SKA, African VLBI, Cherenkov Research Telescope Array Continued

5. AfAS should collaborate with OAD in : Mounting well organized public outreach programs which include lectures, use of optical telescopes, astrophotography, etc. AfAS will assist in coordinating setting up Planetarium for each country and effort to develop public appreciation for the science of astronomy. Astronomy for the Public

7. AfAS thinks that students graduating from secondary school should know certain things about astronomy – those things are to be determined in the future. Training of Teachers through the Global Hands on universe and Galileo teacher training Programs Acquisition of small optical telescopes for schools Production of astronomy pamphlets Organization of optical/radio Astronomy outreach programs. Astronomy for Primary & Secondary Schools

8. Introduction of Astronomy/Astrophysics programs at undergraduate & graduate levels in many African countries is a major area where AfAS assistance is required This is an extremely important assignment, because presently only five countries in African have well defined programs in Astronomy. AfAS supports the specific telescope project run by Marcel Agueros and Patrice Okuma. The project moves telescopes to and around Africa. Astronomy Research and University

9. Organization of Schools for Young Astronomers Provision of scholarships for training professional Astronomers Establish Virtual Journals – NSBP is willing to provide the leadership to get this done Setting up Imaging Telescopes for observation of ExtraSolar Planets. OAD & AfAS to jointly work on:

10. Regular Organization of workshops/Seminars/ Conferences. This will increase the research output of African Physicsts and Astronomers Gravitational Wave Research which South Africa initated recently should be fully supported by AfAS contd

11. The commonality of AfAS and OAD Gaols and Objectives is manifest. The Modality on how to tackle the task is now before us We express our appreciation to distinguished scientists from non-African countries and their invaluable suggestions Thanks for any ideas on how to raise funds for the execution OAD –AfAS Projects African leaders should participate full in all our efforts for results to be acheived Conclusion

12. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION