IAU Office of Astronomy for Development

07/08/2026

Yet another IAU OAD project has been selected as finalist in the Falling Walls Engage program.

CosmoAmautas is a science education initiative in Peru that uses astronomy to strengthen scientific literacy and climate awareness in underserved communities. It was twice supported by the IAU OAD through the global call for proposals, helping the team reach over 200 teachers and 10,000 students, fostering local agency, gender equity, and long-term engagement with science, astronomy and climate action.

Congratulations to Gabriela Calistro Rivera and CosmoAmautas and best wishes for the finals.

https://falling-walls.com/foundation/people/gabriela-calistro-rivera

03/08/2026

Congratulations to Elimisha Msichana Elimisha Jamii na Astronomia (EMEJA), an IAU OAD funded project in Kenya and Uganda, that has now received backing from the SKA Observatory.

The IAU OAD, through our global call for proposals, funded the project for 4 years between 2021-2025. During this time, the project made an impact on 40,000 girls and hundreds of teachers across 31 rural schools in Kenya and Uganda, reducing drop out rates and increasing interest and grades in STEM.

The SKA Observatory will support EMEJA with an annual bursary of €15,000 over the next three years from 2026.

https://astro4dev.org/oad-girls-education-project-in-kenya-gets-a-boost-from-skao/

30/07/2026

The growing global momentum behind astrotourism was on full display at the International Conference “Alternative Tourism: Modern Trends and Development Prospects,” hosted by the Scientific Research Tourism Development Institute in Uzbekistan.

Representing the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD), Dr Joyful Mdhluli delivered a presentation titled “Astrotourism as a Catalyst for Sustainable Tourism, Cultural Heritage, and Local Community Development.”

https://astrotourism.astro4dev.org/astrotourism-and-sustainable-development-in-focus-at-international-tourism-conference-in-uzbekistan/

29/07/2026

The Women in Physics in South Africa will be hosting a webinar for National Science Month on "Bridging the Gap: Connecting Learners to Potential Careers in Physics". Dr. Joyful Mdhluli will be a panelist together with Sipokazi Panya, Companies and for Development
Intellectual Property, Dr Ongeziwe Mpatani and Dr Edward
Nkadimeng from Wits - University of the Witwatersrand, and Dr Ramogohlo Diale-Boshielo, Mintek

Date: 30 July 2026
Time: 13:00–14:00 SAST

Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/e2XNd4AgTUKkGrfObzCGhw

27/07/2026

Mega Science Under Scrutiny: Lessons from SKA for Africa's Next Frontier
Date: 30 July 2026
Time: 9:00 - 11:00

OAD's Dr. Charles Takalana will be a panelist on the upcoming webinar organised by the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory - SARAO.

Join at https://ska.zoom.us/j/3134376742

Panel
Dr Charles Takalana - Deputy Director, Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD)
Beatrice Kioko - Institutional Affairs Lead, ESO Astronomy
Dr Adrian Tiplady - Acting Managing Director, South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO)
Dr Benedicta Woode, PhD - Research Scientist - Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission
Tracy Cheetham - SKA-Mid Site Construction Director, SKA Observatory
Milisa Kentane - Manager: Communication and Stakeholder Relations, South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO)

21/07/2026

Researchers at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) in Kenya organised a training workshop last week supported by an IAU OAD grant.

The workshop enhanced teachers’ capacity to integrate astronomy into classroom instruction using learner centred approaches. Using astronomy provided an ideal context for implementing the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum by nurturing inquiry, creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

https://astro4dev.org/transforming-stem-learning-through-astronomy-in-kenya/

20/07/2026

Join our first Astronomy for Mental Health facilitator training session online
14 August, 12:00 (UTC)
Zoom

Our Astronomy for Mental Health flagship aims to leverage the inspirational power of astronomy to enhance well-being. The initiative is run in collaboration with health professionals at Stellenbosch University to ensure that the tools and methods are grounded in robust psychological practices.

The training will explore the principles that underpin the approach, discuss how experiences of the night sky may support calm, perspective, and well-being, and cover the boundaries that help keep both facilitators and participants safe. By the end of the session, you will have a clear facilitation framework, ready-to-use scripts, and the confidence to lead a short reflective activity within your own setting.

Note that this is not a clinical intervention and participation does not confer a professional qualification or authority to practice as a mental health professional or representative of the IAU OAD.

Join the IAU OAD's first Astronomy for Mental Health Facilitator training online on 14 August 2026.

16/07/2026

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

14/07/2026

Our Deputy Director, Dr Charles Mpho Takalana was on Radio Eersteriver with Dr Gillian Arendse from NRF iThemba Labs.
They were in conversation about how astronomy can be a vehicle for development as we celebrate and explore science during National Science Month.

You can catch the full show here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1B5CkBdDza/

Department of Science,Technology and Innovation SA National Research Foundation SAAO Science EngagementSouth African Astronomical Observatory The International Astronomical Union

14/07/2026

Our Starry Safaris project in Tanzania has launched their astrotourism tours.

Starry Safaris is using astronomy tourism to create additional income opportunities for economically-disadvantaged young men and women. The team completed a three-day astrotourism training programme for five youth from the community who are running the tours.

If you visit Arusha, Tanzania, be sure to stop by the Mount Meru Astronomical Observatory for a starry safari!

https://astro4dev.org/iau-oad-project-in-tanzania-launches-astrotourism-tours/