The IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) will support and coordinate 18 projects around the world in 2026, funded by the IAU and Development in Africa through Radio Astronomy (DARA). These projects will address various socio-economic and sustainable-development challenges using astronomy-related interventions. The OAD is organising an onboarding sessions for the project teams to meet the OAD, Regional Offices and the various networks.
2026 Projects: https://astro4dev.org/funded-projects-in-2026/
PROGRAM
17 – 19 Feb 2026
same link for all sessions https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/PRcir1TLTeO6mrUZ1Oudrg
All times are in UTC
| Date | Time UTC | Session | Speakers |
| Feb 17 2026 |
13:00 – 15:00 UTC |
Introductions | |
| Welcome & Intro to OAD, IAU (5 min) | Kevin Govender, OAD | ||
| Introductions by OAD & Regions (15 min) | OAD team and Regions | ||
| Introductions by project teams (2 min per team) | Projects | ||
| 14:00 – 14:10 | IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach (10 min) | OAO | |
| 14:10 – 14:20 | IAU Centre for the Protection of Dark and Quiet Skies (10 min) | CPS | |
| 14:20 – 14:30 | IAU Office of Astronomy for Education (10 min) | OAE | |
| 14:30 – 14:40 | IAU Office for Young Astronomers (10 min) | OYA | |
| 14:40 – 15:15 | OAD partners | Development in Africa through Radio Astronomy (DARA) RIIS African Astronomical Society (AfAS) Inter-University Centre for Data Intensive Astronomy (IDIA) Royal Bafokeng Nation Stellenbosch University Hackathons for Development (Hack4dev) BRICS Astronomy |
|
| Feb 18 2026 | 13:00 – 15:00 UTC | Flagships & Evaluations | |
| Intro to Flagships (15 min) | Joyful Mdhluli, OAD | ||
| Parallel sessions: Astro Tourism (30 min) | Joyful Mdhluli, OAD | ||
| Parallel sessions: Astronomy and Mental health (30 min) | Dominic Vertue, OAD | ||
| Parallel sessions: Knowledge and skills for development (30 min) | Charles Takalana, OAD | ||
| Parallel sessions: All other projects (30 min) | Ramasamy Venugopal, OAD | ||
| Communications & Reporting (15 min) | Ramasamy Venugopal, OAD | ||
| Intro to Evaluations mini workshop (60 min) | Azasiwe, OAD | ||
| Feb 19 2026 | 13:00 – 15:00 UTC | Fundraising | |
| Intro to fundraising (30 min) | Genevieve Marshall, IAU | ||
| Projects round table – fundraising and organisational strategies, challenges, learnings (30 min) | TBC | ||
| Networking (optional) (60min) | All |
