Astronomy Addis Ababa, 25 Feburary 2011

East Africa Regional WorkShop of Astronomy Addis Ababa 21 - 25 Feburary 2011

OBJECTIVES

Despite the fact that there is very little astronomy taught in sub-Saharan Africa (outside South Africa), there is a clear interest and growing network of physical science students and lecturers in universities and other educational institutions throughout the region who want to study astronomy as their career. The interest can also be seen in the rapid increase of the number of students from around the continent who apply to the Cape Town-based National Astrophysics and Space Sciences program. However, there is limited capacity in the program to serve these wide interests.
It is, therefore, crucial to start the development of a regional astronomy research and teaching hub in East Africa and establish similar programs of astronomy in the long term and make use of observational facilities in other regions of Africa.
In collaboration with International Astronomical Union (IAU) and South Africa Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), Ethiopian Space Science Society (ESSS), in line with its long term objectives of developing space science and astronomy in Ethiopia, is hosting the workshop with the following purposes

• Providing participants with the recent developments and knowledge in astronomical sciences
• Providing forum for exchanging ideas, research findings, technology and applications of astronomy for the sustainable development
• Establishing international & regional collaboration in research & teaching with Ethiopian Universities
• Developing a regional astronomy research and teaching hub in East Africa

ACTIVITIES

The workshop includes a compact lecture series covering basic astronomy to help participants teach and develop undergraduate astronomy courses, or to start/continue with further astrophysics studies. The workshop will introduce modern astronomical observational techniques, data reduction and analysis skills, as well as introducing tools to plan observing programs. The observational astronomy aspect of the workshop is also intended to feed into future more advanced modern astronomical techniques. Finally, the time will be used for networking and developing future plans for astronomy in East Africa
VENUE: COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCES
ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY
ORGANZERS: ESSS; AAU; SAAO; IAU
THEME: DEVELOPING REGIONAL ASTRONOMY RESEARCH & TEACHING HUB IN EAST AFRICA

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

I. INTERNATIONAL

Dr Petri Vaisanen (SAAO) - Chairman
Dr David Buckley (SAAO)
Mr Kevin Govender (SAAO)
Dr Solomon Belay (ESSS & KCTE)
Prof Gezahegn Yirgu (ESSS &AAU)
Dr Paul Baki (Nairobi University)
Dr Edward Jurua
(Mbarara University of Science & Technology)
Mr Pheneas Nkundabakura (UFS)
Mr Abiy Tekola (SAAO, UCT)

II.LOCAL

Dr Solomon Belay
(ESSS and KCTE) – Chairman
Dr Lemi Demeyou ( AAU)
Dr Gizaw Mengistu ( AAU)
Prof Gezahegn Yirgu (ESSS & AAU)
Mr Tolu Biressa
(ESSS & Jimma University)
Mr Alemiye Mamo
(ESSS & Hawassa University)
Mr Getinet Feleke (ESSS & KCTE)
Contact Information Tel: +251 116 553417 E-mail: esss@ethiosss.org.et Website: www.ethiosss.org.et