A Presentation done by Dr. Brenda Namumba (a Post-doctorate Fellow at the Rhodes University, South Africa and the First Zambian to hold a PhD in Astrophysics) discussing about Integrating Science, Bridging Africa and Inspiring the Future.

1. Dr. Brenda Namumba
South African Radio Astronomy Observatory/Rhodes
University
Integrating science, bridging Africa,
inspire the future

2. Biography
PhD Astronomy, UCT
MSc. Astrophysics, UKZN
Honours Astrophysics and Space Science,
UCT
B.Sc. Physics, UNZA
First Zambian to hold a PhD in astronomy
Field of study: Astronomy, physics, Mathematics, computing
languages
Current SKA postdoctoral fellow at Rhodes
University

3. Doing science ……what people think
A lot of boring equations
A lot of cramming
Only for geeks
mmmh really????

4. Doing science …..Science rocks!!!!
new friends
adventure
culture
associates
culture
sharing
fun
Lifetime memories

5. STEM —why should we care?

6. Astronomy, Astrology, Astronaut
—Which one are you?
Astrology based on how
the position of
stars affect our
personality and future
events.
Astronaut is one
who travels in
spacecrafts that
leave our outer
space
Astronomy based
on scientific
method.
study of celestial
bodies in the
universe

7. When and why I choose astronomy
https://unistellaroptics.com/democratizing-astronomy-one-child-at-a-time/

8. Where my dream began —
2009, IHY SCINDA Workshop

9. My research interest - dwarf galaxies
Dwarf galaxies unique and important objects

10. Radio astronomer — day to day activities

11. Careers after graduation —astronomy
*Astronomer
*Astronaut (NASA)
*Researcher
*Professor in academics
*IT (software developer)
*Outreach
*Economist

12. Astronomy in Africa —Its time to lead
Largest radio telescope
Core in south Africa
8 African partner countries
Will allow us to view the universe in unprecedented details. SKA
science, engineering, computer science …
SKA telescope

13. KAT-7
South Africa - Unique in southern
hemisphere
Precursor of MeerKAT
MeerKAT
South Africa- 64 dishes
Powerful radio telescope
Precursor of SKA
Astronomy in Africa —Its time to lead

14. Astronomy in Africa —Knowledge
creation
“Education is the most powerful weapon which
you can use to change the world” Nelson Mandela
South Africa
Burkina Faso
Zambia
Uganda
By 2019. Of the 1,054 students who have received study grants, 802 are from South Africa,
176 are from other African countries, and 76 are from other countries

15. Astronomy in Africa —Economic growth
Infrastructure development in rural areas as roads
Employment opportunities for locals
Internet connectivity in rural areas

16. Astronomy in Africa —growth in science
and technology
Allow Africa (for the first time) to be a significant contributor to the
Global knowledge economy
Cutting-edge scientific research lead by Africans

17. Astronomy in Africa —growth in science
and technology
Allow Africa (for the first time) to be a significant contributor to the
Global knowledge economy

18. Support system —very important!

19. “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be
understood. Now is the time to understand more, so
that we may fear less.”
Marie Curie
Know yourself
Set your goal in life
Dare to dream
Never give up
Be thankful