Aiming for the Stars

ICTP, in partnership with the Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD), has launched a call for proposals for a suite of global activities aimed at using astronomy to stimulate high quality education and research at university level. The OAD is a project of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) that was established in 2011 as part of the IAU decadal strategic plan to use astronomy for global development. This partnership between ICTP and the IAU opens many avenues to realise this long term plan.

Amongst the many aspects of the call for proposals is the Associate Scientists programme where scientists and lecturers from developing regions, particularly those interested in using astronomy to develop university level education in their home countries, will be provided with the means to travel to ICTP, which is based in Trieste, Italy and stay for a period of up to 6 weeks per year. Trieste has a strong astronomical presence, being home to Trieste Observatory and the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) as well.cientists interested in applying to the Associate Scientists programme should visit ICTP's Associateship Scheme application page.

Another key programme aims to stimulate networks by linking institutions in long term relationships. Kevin Govender, Director of the OAD explains the impact:

"We find all across the world individual or small groups of researchers who are sometimes so overwhelmed with teaching loads or so underfunded that they do not have the opportunity to travel to international meetings and spend time on their own research in order to develop their careers. Opportunities created by these ICTP-OAD programmes will support the essential development of human capital at university level, thus stimulating that country's science and technology sector."

Other programmes include individual travel grants, funds for meetings and workshops as well as regional schools for young scientists. For details on how to apply to these programmes, please visit ICTP's Office of External Activities web page.

Together the suite of activities contained in this partnership will allow many developing regions to grow the astronomy field and thus enable them to use the many benefits of astronomy as tools for development. Ravi Sheth, a cosmologist at ICTP, describes the special role that astronomy plays:

"Although ICTP supports a wide range of sciences - all of which are important - there is really something special about the incredible impact that astronomy has on the minds of people. Astronomy inspires! It can give perspective to any member of the public yet its mysteries can also be the driving force behind the most complex, modern, high technology research work."  "Astronomy is also a 'gateway science'; a means to excite young minds and stimulate a general interest in all areas of science, technology and innovation" adds Fernando Quevedo, Director of ICTP.

ICTP alumni serve as professors at major universities, chairpersons of academic departments, directors of research centres and ministers of science and technology in nations throughout the developing world. Many of them have been recognized in their own countries and internationally for their contributions to science and science policy. This partnership of ICTP with the IAU (the professional astronomical organisation with almost 10,000 astronomers globally, with its OAD coordinating the use of astronomy as a tool for global development) seems to be a match made in astronomical heaven.

Notes:

The IAU is the international astronomical organisation that brings together almost 10,000 distinguished astronomers from all nations of the world. Its mission is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects through international cooperation. The IAU also serves as the internationally recognised authority for assigning designations to celestial bodies and the surface features on them. Founded in 1919, the IAU is the world's largest professional body for astronomers.

ICTP was founded in 1964 by the late Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam and seeks to accomplish its mandate by providing scientists from developing countries with the continuing education and skills that they need to enjoy long and productive careers. ICTP has been a major force in stemming the scientific brain drain from the developing world.

Links

• IAU website
• OAD website
• The Strategic Plan
• The Announcement of Opportunity

For more information

Kevin Govender
Director, IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD)
Tel: +27 824 878 466
Email: kg@astro4dev.org

Ravi Sheth
Senior Research Scientist, International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP)
Tel: +39 040 2240 285
Email: sheth@ictp.it

Ian Corbett
General Secretary, International Astronomical Union
IAU Secretariat, Paris, France
Tel: +33 1 43 25 83 58
Email: icorbett@eso.org

Lars Lindberg Christensen
IAU Press Officer
ESO ePOD, Garching, Germany
Tel: +49 89 3200 6761
Cellular: +49 173 3872 621
E-mail: lars@eso.org

Mary Ann Williams
Public Information Officer, ICTP
Tel: +39 040 2240 603
Email: mwilliams@ictp.it