Astronomy in the Developing World: Mozambique as a case study

Valério A. R. M. Ribeiro(vribeiro@ast.uct.ac.za)

SA SKA Fellow, Department of Astronomy, University of Cape TownAuxiliary Professor, Department of Physics, University Eduardo Mondlane

Leiden19th June 2012

Outline

Developing World

Mozambican statistics

Background

Astronomy outreach

Future Plans

Conclusions

Source: CIA World Factbook

Developing WorldThe Least Developed Countries represent the poorest and weakest segment of the international community. They comprise more than 880 million people (about 12 per cent of world population), but account for less than 2 percent of world GDP and about 1 percent of global trade in goods.

The countries identified as Least Developed Countries by the UN (www.unohrlls.org/en/ldc/164/):

gross national income per capita ($307) -- 3 year-year average < $905.

human assets index (27.5) -- percentage of population undernourished, mortality rate for children aged five years or under, the gross secondary enrollment ratio and adult literacy rate.

economic vulnerability index (48.7) -- population size, remoteness, merchandise export concentration, share of agriculture, forestry and fisheries in gross domestic product, share of population living in low elevated coastal zones, instability of exports of goods and services, victims of natural disasters and instability of agricultural production.

These are 48 countries, 33 in Africa, including Mozambique (1988).

Mozambican StatisticsPopulation 23,049,621 (2011)

44.5% 0-14 year olds, 52.7% 15-64 year olds and 2.8% 65+ year olds

Language: Portuguese; 32 other language

Education is free however, compulsory until year 12

In Primary school (years 1-7) 5 million (2009)

In Secondary school (years 8-12) 430,000 (2009)

There are 2 state and 11 private Universities and 7 Superior Institutes

University undergraduate degrees: 4 years for licenciatura

Background

Early 1900s Portuguese Military personnel made astronomical observations of the solar eclipse

1907 - Frederico Oom tasked with acquiring material and building the then Lourenço Marques Observatory

Around the same period, Captain Gago Coutinho observed the night sky

Not really sure what happened after this period

BackgroundThere was an inactive telescope on top of one of the buildings at Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (UEM)

1997 an academic at UEM and students tried to create conditions for astronomy, unsuccessfully!

2004/2005 plans drawn by students from the Physics Department at UEM and the Portuguese Superior Technical Institute

2007 UNESCO announces 2009 as the International Year of Astronomy

Astronomy Outreach

Planned activities:

Seminars and observations in schools, by local and international speakers about astronomy - March, June and October

Exhibitions at the Ministry Science and Technology

Promote Astronomy with TV, radio and articles to be written in national newspapers and magazines

Create conditions for an Amateur Astronomy Society

Seminars at the university level

Night with planets

UNAWE

Galileo Teacher Training Program

Future PlansNear Future

Establish an Amateur Astronomical Society - SLOWLY

Investigate history of astronomy in Mozambique - SLOWLY

Further improve links with other countries - IN PROGRESS

Secure funding for the long term - NOT YET

3 lectures at UEM have been successful in applying for PhD (2) and MSc (1) program with the South Africa - Brazil partnership - IN PROGRESS

UEM arranging a visiting lectureship program for two months of the year to teach introductory astronomy -- DONE

Build a small dome on roof of the Physics Department at UEM for a small telescope - AWAITING FUNDING

Work in partnership with the Ministry of Science and Technology in order to include astronomy in the Maluana Science Park - SLOWLY

Long term

Implement further courses at university - IN PROGRESS

Study potential sites for a research observatory (optical?) - SLOWLY

Fully integrate astronomy into the society - IN PROGRESS

SKA dish - IN PROGRESS???

Future PlansNear Future

Establish an Amateur Astronomical Society - SLOWLY

Investigate history of astronomy in Mozambique - SLOWLY

Further improve links with other countries - IN PROGRESS

Secure funding for the long term - NOT YET

3 lectures at UEM have been successful in applying for PhD (2) and MSc (1) program with the South Africa - Brazil partnership - IN PROGRESS

UEM arranging a visiting lectureship program for two months of the year to teach introductory astronomy -- DONE

Build a small dome on roof of the Physics Department at UEM for a small telescope - AWAITING FUNDING

Work in partnership with the Ministry of Science and Technology in order to include astronomy in the Maluana Science Park - SLOWLY

Long term

Implement further courses at university - IN PROGRESS

Study potential sites for a research observatory (optical?) - SLOWLY

Fully integrate astronomy into the society - IN PROGRESS

SKA dish - IN PROGRESS???

Conclusions/ThoughtsIYA2009 has been an excellent opportunity to put astronomy in the mind of our peers in Mozambique

Astronomy is well on its way in to the University system, we need to start thinking about school system

How long will the momentum last?

How many more people can we bring into Astronomy?

We should explore further partnership with countries with well established astronomy communities and learn from those that are new and recent

We need to get the different groups with interest in astronomy to talk with each other to create closer links (UEM - MST - UP)

It is a long road ahead

“Kanimambo”

http://astromozaia2009.weebly.com