Opening of the IAU SWA ROAD Regional Office in Armenia
In 2011 International Astronomical Union has established the Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD). Its goal is to promote and extend astronomical knowledge all over the world. Under this project, the regional coordination centers have been set up. In our region, the South-West Asian regional office (SWA ROAD) is established in Armenia. Georgia has become a participant of this project.
In 12-13 October 2015, the inauguration ceremony of SWA ROAD and a workshop was held in Byurakan Observatory were director of Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory Maya Todua was invited as a representative of Georgia. The event was hosted by director of SWA ROAD Dr. Areg Mickaelian and director Dr. Haik Harutyunian. The participants of this event were: IAU general secretary Piero Benvenuti (Italy), IAU OAD strategic plan coordinator George Miley (Netherlands), director of IAU OAD Kevin Govender (South Africa) and the representatives from Georgia, Iran, Turkey, Israel, Jordan, Russia. The participants gave presentations about the mission and strategy of IAU OAD, as well as status of astronomy in these countries. M.Todua became a member of the steering commettee of the SWA ROAD regional office, as a representative of Georgia.
ROAD offices will coordinate the IAU OAD mission in their regions. The activities in the framework of this project will be carried out in three directions: Universities and Research, Children and Schools, Public Outreach.
These activities include schools, workshops, education projects. For more information visit the webpage.
Participation of Georgia in this project will facilitate the further development of astronomy in our coutry, to arise youth interest in science, inform and educate the society, increase international collaboration.
The inauguration ceremony was followed by the Armenian-Iranian Workshop where M.Todua was also invited and where she also made presentations.
For more information please visit the websites:
iau-swa-road.aras.am/eng/index.php,
iau-swa-road.aras.am/eng/events.php.