joy, Author at IAU Office of Astronomy for Development https://astro4dev.org/author/joy/ Astronomy for a better world! Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:46:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://astro4dev.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cropped-03_OAD_symbol_colour_2-32x32.jpg joy, Author at IAU Office of Astronomy for Development https://astro4dev.org/author/joy/ 32 32 Two Weeks of Engagement and Collaboration: 2 – 13 March https://astro4dev.org/two-weeks-of-engagement-and-collaboration-2-13-march/ Fri, 13 Mar 2026 12:14:11 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31035 The first half of March marked a period of active engagement for Dr Joyful Mdhluli, Flagship Coordinator at the OAD. Through a series of meetings, workshops, and institutional visits across South Africa, Dr Mdhluli contributed to conversations on astrotourism, astronomy for development, and strengthening partnerships between government, academia, and science institutions. These engagements reflect the [...]

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]]> Astrotourism and Conservation https://astro4dev.org/astrotourism-and-conservation/ Mon, 23 Feb 2026 13:31:29 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31014 Dark skies are not only a scientific resource, but a social, cultural, environmental, and economic asset. They are living heritage –  essential to ecosystems, deeply woven into cultural identities, and increasingly recognised as catalysts for sustainable livelihoods through responsible tourism. Artificial light at night continues to increase globally, washing out the stars and disrupting natural [...]

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]]> Celebrating the International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Astronomy as a Catalyst for Development https://astro4dev.org/celebrating-the-international-day-of-women-and-girls-in-science-astronomy-as-a-catalyst-for-development/ Wed, 11 Feb 2026 07:14:42 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=30989 By Dr Joyful Mdhluli, OAD Flagship Coordinator The International Day of Women and Girls in Science was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 to recognise the critical role women and girls play in science and technology. Celebrated annually on February 11, it aims to promote full and equal access to participation in [...]

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]]> IAU OAD Newsletter #41 October – December 2025 https://astro4dev.org/iau-oad-newsletter-41-october-december-2025/ Fri, 30 Jan 2026 10:50:36 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=30973 The IAU OAD has published its latest newsletter for the October to December 2025 period. Highlights in the newsletter: IAU Offers Grants to Drive Sustainable Development through Astronomy Under the Southern Skies: How stargazing is shaping mental health research in South Africa Traditional leadership office and the IAU-OAD sign a memorandum of understanding Upcoming events [...]

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]]> Radio Astronomy, Intercultural Collaboration, and Science Diplomacy https://astro4dev.org/radio-astronomy-intercultural-collaboration-and-science-diplomacy/ Mon, 26 Jan 2026 10:42:28 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=30921 We are excited to kickstart the 2026 Full Moon Mashup series with a conversation that explores how astronomy can connect cultures, strengthen international collaboration, and contribute to science diplomacy. How can astronomy bring people, cultures, and countries closer together? The next Astro4Dev Full Moon Mashup will explore this question by focusing on the international and [...]

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]]> Protecting Dark and Quiet Skies for Science, Society, and Development https://astro4dev.org/protecting-dark-and-quiet-skies-for-science-society-and-development/ Mon, 19 Jan 2026 09:57:15 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=30894 From 8-12 December 2025, Dr Mdhluli participated in the Dark and Quiet Skies for Science and Society workshop hosted by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the SKA Observatory in Vienna. The workshop brought together international stakeholders from science, policy, development, and civil society to explore how dark and quiet skies [...]

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]]> Astrolab – Starlight in the University Lab Project: Learning STEM skills by doing https://astro4dev.org/astrolab-starlight-in-the-university-lab-project-learning-stem-skills-by-doing/ Fri, 19 Dec 2025 10:13:23 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=30735 This article was originally published by the American Physical Society in the December 2025 issue of the African Physics Newsletter and is shared with the permission of APS. The AstroLab (Starlight in the University Lab) project is an annual training workshop tailored toward undergraduate students in introductory astronomy courses. It is an inquiry-based astronomy lab [...]

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]]> IAU-OAD Team Visits the Kgosana Rakhudu Foundation in Tsitsing, North West https://astro4dev.org/iau-oad-team-visits-the-kgosana-rakhudu-foundation-in-tsitsing-north-west/ Wed, 03 Dec 2025 09:17:33 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=30697 On Tuesday, 25 November 2025, the OAD team travelled to Tsitsing village in the North West Province, South Africa, to visit the Kgosana Rakhudu Foundation. The purpose of the visit was to learn more about the Foundation’s work, share the OAD’s programmes, and explore possible ways to collaborate in the future. On arrival in Tsitsing, [...]

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]]> Looking Beyond 2030: How Science and Innovation Can Shape a Better Future https://astro4dev.org/looking-beyond-2030-how-science-and-innovation-can-shape-a-better-future/ Tue, 02 Dec 2025 11:22:32 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=30691 In a rapidly changing world, science and innovation sit at the heart of how society will navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead. The session “Looking Beyond 2030: The Role of Science and Innovation in Shaping Future Societies” – that took place during Science Forum South Africa 2025 – offered a thought-provoking exploration of what the future [...]

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]]> G20 2025: South Africa’s Leadership and the OAD’s Contributions https://astro4dev.org/g20-2025-south-africas-leadership-and-the-oads-contributions/ Fri, 21 Nov 2025 04:25:38 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=30688 The G20 (Group of Twenty) is a major international forum comprising 19 countries, the European Union and the African Union. Its members represent some of the world’s largest economies, accounting for approximately 85% of global GDP and two-thirds of the world’s population. This year is particularly historic: South Africa is hosting the G20 presidency,  the [...]

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