Shaw-IAU Workshops by the OAE

"Madagascar is well known for a special tourist destination and its
unique fauna and flora. Astronomy is starting to gain interest in
schools, universities, and the public. This is not because Madagascar
just recently updated its internet to the fast broadband, optical fiber, in the result of the East African Submarine Cable System (EASSy). The interest in the astronomy field raises because of the incorporation of the subject at the universities and schools, and the existence of the various outreach groups. Despite what appears to be a technological advantage, Madagascar’s high-speed internet hardly erves its population. Only 13% of its 25 million inhabitants have access to electricity and only 2.1% of the population has access to the internet. In this talk, I will discuss the challenges the teachers and students are facing when it comes to astronomy."

Biography:

Ratsimbazafy is an adjunct professor of Astronomy at the Prince George's Community College, Maryland, USA. She was born and grew up in Madagascar. She completed her undergraduate studies in Industrial engineering in her home country. She holds a Ph.D. and MSc in Astrophysics from the University of the Western Cape, and another MSc in Energy from the University of Antananarivo. She is an inspiring advisor, mentor, and lecturer. Ratsimbazafy speaks three languages: English, French, and Malagasy.