News Archives - IAU Office of Astronomy for Development https://astro4dev.org/category/news/ Astronomy for a better world! Thu, 30 Apr 2026 10:14:12 +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 News Archives - IAU Office of Astronomy for Development https://astro4dev.org/category/news/ 32 32 IAU Calls for Innovative Astronomy Projects to Promote Sustainable Development https://astro4dev.org/iau-calls-for-innovative-astronomy-projects-to-promote-sustainable-development/ Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:37:24 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31153 The International Astronomical Union Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU OAD), which has invested more than 1.5 Million Euros in development projects led by astronomy, is pleased to announce its 2026 call for proposals. Seed funding will be provided to proposals with high potential for making a positive societal impact using astronomy. Astronomy is a [...]

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]]> 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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]]> IAU OAD and RIIS Partner to Advance Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainable Development Across Africa https://astro4dev.org/iau-oad-and-riis-partner-to-advance-innovation-entrepreneurship-and-sustainable-development-across-africa/ Mon, 23 Feb 2026 12:07:42 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31007 PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Cape Town, South Africa – 23 February 2026. The Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD), a partnership of the National Research Foundation (NRF) with the International Astronomical Union (IAU) under the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RIIS to establish a [...]

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]]> South Africa Based International Office Drives Sustainable Development through Astronomy https://astro4dev.org/south-africa-based-international-office-drives-sustainable-development-through-astronomy/ Fri, 20 Feb 2026 15:17:44 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31004 Source: National Research Foundation For immediate release20 February 2026 The Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD), a partnership of the National Research Foundation (NRF) under the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), and the International Astronomical Union (IAU), is delighted to announce that 10 African projects have been selected to receive funding to advance [...]

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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 Offers Grants to Drive Sustainable Development through Astronomy https://astro4dev.org/iau-offers-grants-to-drive-sustainable-development-through-astronomy/ Thu, 29 Jan 2026 08:17:26 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=30964 source: IAU The International Astronomical Union’s Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU OAD) has concluded its 14th annual call for proposals, and 18 projects will receive funding in 2026 to use astronomy to further sustainable development. The OAD is pleased to announce that 18 new projects around the world will receive grants to promote sustainable [...]

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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 Partners with the Royal Bafokeng Nation to Advance Community Development through Science https://astro4dev.org/iau-oad-partners-with-royal-bafokeng-nation-for-community-development/ Thu, 18 Dec 2025 07:33:15 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=30721 PRESS RELEASE Royal Bafokeng Nation and IAU Office of Astronomy for Development Sign a Memorandum of Understanding to Advance Community Development Through Science The International Astronomical Union’s Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU–OAD) and the Office of Kgosana Dr Koketso Rakhudu have formalised a partnership aimed at leveraging astronomy to drive socio-economic transformation within the [...]

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]]> How Stargazing is Shaping Mental Health Research https://astro4dev.org/how-stargazing-is-shaping-mental-health-research/ Tue, 09 Dec 2025 10:10:43 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=30711 source: Stellenbosch University As mental health challenges continue to escalate globally, the International Astronomical Union Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU OAD) is spearheading a groundbreaking initiative that leverages the cosmos. By partnering with public health researchers, the OAD is unveiling novel ways in which astronomy experiences can enhance emotional wellbeing, reduce stress, and foster [...]

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