Author Archives: Ram Venugopal

Astro Tourism Project in Malaysia Makes A Mark

The objectives of this project were: (i) To expose tourist guides to knowledge in astronomy. (ii) To equip them with extra skills in entrepreneurship and astro-tour hospitality and service. (iii) To revamp the tourism sector in Peninsular Malaysia with a new niche in astronomy tourism. Activities The original plan was to conduct a 10-day physical […]

International C-Link Between Primary School Classes Based On Astronomy

On 13th February, a 1-hour virtual link-up based on astronomy took place between primary schools in Armenia, Ethiopia, Ireland, the Netherlands and Nigeria. The contact was a “try-out” organized by the International Astronomical Union European Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (E-ROAD) at Leiden University. The eventual goal of the programme is to bring together […]

Writing in a Universe of Peace and Chaos

written by Alboricah Rathupetsane, PhD student at the Centre for Sustainability Transitions, Stellenbosch University who participated in the writing retreat program in Sutherland, South Africa organised by the OAD’s Astro for Mental Health team A different kind of peace emerges from the vastness and emptiness of Sutherland. It is borne from the lack of embellishment […]

International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development Closing Ceremony

“The International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development (IYBSSD) was a unique opportunity to convince all stakeholders that, through a basic  understanding of nature, actions taken will be more effective, for the common good”, said Michel Spiro, Chair of the Steering Committee of IYBSSD, and President of the International Union of Pure and Applied […]

Astro-tourism Guide Training in Malaysia

A diverse team, including a cultural anthropologist, a camera expert, an astrophysicist, and an entrepreneur, collaborated to train the inaugural batch of astronomy guides in Malaysia. The participants in this program come from various professional backgrounds such as city tour guides, naturalists, tourism operators, and amateurs. To equip them with profound knowledge and skills, we […]