Global Astronomy Survey : Sudan

First Submission : Dr. Tahani S. M. Shatir (Ms) [see human resources section] 1 April 2009

SpoC Approved : Yes


1. Professional (Research) Astronomy:

(i) Number of universities offering Astronomy (and their names)

1.      Islamic University of Omderman (very recently, the first academic year is 2009/2010).

2.      University of Khartoum, only very small course in one semester for underground Physics students (also new approach, new course, wasn’t in the past)

(ii) Number of universities offering Physics (and their names)

1.      University of Khartoum (in Science & Education faculties)

2.      Sudan university for Science and technology (in Science & Education faculties)

3.      Alnaileen University

4.      Algazira University

5.      University of Juba

6.      Islamic university of Omderman

7.      Alahlia university

8.      International Africa university

Plus other 5 universities offering Physics in Education faculties.

The total numbers of universities in Sudan are around 30 universities.

(iii) Number of academics who have been trained in Astronomy (ideally with their
names and levels of qualification)

None as Astronomer but related areas and others are interested

1.      Prof. Ali E. Sharfeldeen

2.      Dr. Mawia H. Shaddad

3.      Dr. Arbab I. Arbab

4.      Dr. Tahani M. Shatir

(iv) Number of astronomical facilities (observatories, telescopes, etc) and as
much detail about each as possible (websites/contact details)

No facilities !!!!!. I only hear about one small telescope.

http://www.geocities.com/sudan_iya2009/sudan2009.html

(v) Self evaluation (according to the different phases above, how would you rate your
country in terms of Professional Astronomy? Please include any other relevant
information to motivate your choice.)

Phase 4

2. Public Understanding of Astronomy:

(i) What governmental astronomy/science outreach programmes for the public take place (co-ordinated either by government departments or national facilities)

NONE

(ii) What non-governmental astronomy/science outreach programmes for the public take place (NGO activities or international programmes that your  country is involved in)

NONE

(iii) Comment on the presence of astronomy in the media (TV, radio, newspapers). Is it very prominent? Are there specific programmes on astronomy? Is the media generally willing to publish news on astronomy?

·         It is very often in the media because we use the lunar system in our Islamic festivals (i.e. Ramdan month, Eids . . etc), the public aware about the moon movements.

·         The media follow all the global astronomy news

·         No specific regular programmes on astronomy.

·          During year 2009 we formed a committees one of them is coordinating the  advertise and programmes  to the media, will have series of meetings on TV, radio and newspapers.

(iv) Comment on the presence of astronomy/science in the general culture of the people. Are there any specific challenges or setbacks? Is astronomy a welcome subject of conversation?

Due to our multi culture Arabic and African, most of locals and villagers they inherited about reading Sky, have very good ideas about star’s names, watching the beginning of the lunar for each month, even better than students studying physics.

(v) Self evaluation (according to the different phases above, how would you rate your country in terms of Public Understanding of Astronomy? Please include any other relevant information to motivate your choice.)

Phase 2

3. Astronomy in Schools:

(i) What governmental astronomy/science education and outreach programmes for schools take place (co-ordinated either by government departments or national facilities)

NONE
(ii) What non-governmental astronomy/science education and outreach programmes for schools take place (NGO activities or international programmes that your country is involved in)

None
(iii) Comment on the presence of astronomy in the school curriculum. Is it part of the school curriculum? Is it very prominent? What age groups?

A little information is mentioned in schools within general science subject.

For ages vary 12-15 years old.

(iv) Comment on the status of astronomy/science in schools. Are there any specific challenges or setbacks? Sufficient number of students studying maths and science? General interest in maths/science/astronomy in schools?

We have a pretty good curriculum in math and physics, and considerable number of students study physics and math. The issue is that their fear is they can’t get jobs after graduation; this made it as not of attractive or a choice.

(v) Self evaluation (according to the different phases above, how would you rate your country in terms of Astronomy in Schools? Please include any other relevant
information to motivate your choice.)

            Phase 3

NOTE:

As you can observe from above information, the base of astronomy in Sudan is very poor. We wish during the IYA2009 will be our starting event and time to establish good foundation with the help of the Astronomy communities around.

Soon many publications will come out concerning the collection of the asteroids pieces, felt on northern Sudan first October 2008.