SARAO LAUNCHES E-LEARNING PLATFORM FOR RADIO ASTRONOMY The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) has launched an e-learning platform offering online teaching and training resources in radio astronomy. The aim is to support the growing community of students and young researchers undertaking research in astronomy at universities in South Africa and the eight SKA African partner countries – Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia - by developing their skills and enabling them to participate in research with the MeerKAT telescope, and other international radio astronomy facilities. The platform provides material on various radio astronomy related topics, including the fundamentals of radio interferometry and software tools for radio astronomy, for example GitHub for Astronomers, as well as hosting online workshops and schools, such as the annual African Radio Interferometry Winter School. The knowledge acquired by students at the School is then taken back to their home institutions and promotes future participation of young researchers in scientific
research projects with MeerKAT and other radio astronomy telescopes. An e-seminar series of public talks will also be facilitated on the platform focusing on developments increasing the radio astronomy footprint on the African continent through scientific, technical and human capital advancements. The launch of the e-learning platform coincides with the current larger global move to online learning, mainly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It is the opportune time to provide this service to the South African and African radio astronomy students, given the escalated need for teaching resources which students can access remotely,” says Dr Bonita de Swardt, SARAO Programme Manager: Strategic Partnerships for Human Capacity Development. “In these unprecedented times, it is crucial for students to exercise self-learning, and to take ownership of their learning using online educational platforms.” The SARAO e-learning platform is available here.
IT IS THE OPPORTUNE TIME TO PROVIDE THIS SERVICE TO THE SOUTH AFRICAN AND AFRICAN RADIO ASTRONOMY STUDENTS, GIVEN THE ESCALATED NEED FOR TEACHING RESOURCES WHICH STUDENTS CAN ACCESS REMOTELY. Dr Bonita de Swardt, SARAO Programme Manager: Strategic Partnerships for Human Capacity Development.
Map of the SKA African partner countries Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia as well as South Africa who will benefit from the platform. Credit: SARAO
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