Global Astronomy Survey: Mozambique

First Submission: Cláudio Moisés  [see human resources section] Paulo  20 March 2009

1. Professional (Research) Astronomy:

(i) Number of universities offering Astronomy (and their names)
We have only 2 University offering a brief Introduction in Astronomy
in our country:
• Universidade Pedagógica (UP).
o They offer a subject related to Astronomy for
Undergrad students.
• Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (UEM).
o The Introduction of Astronomy is one of the
subjects of the new curriculum in the University for
Physics Department. Indeed, it will be a third year
subject  aiming to give the Introduction of
Astronomy and Astrophysics.
(ii) Number of universities offering Physics (and their names)
Same as Astronomy, there is only two universities offering Physics in
Mozambique.
• Universidade Pedagógica (UP).
• Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (UEM).

(iii) Number of academics who have been trained in Astronomy
(ideally with their names and levels of qualification)
We have three students doing astronomy. Two are finishing MSc at
University of the Western Cape (South Africa) and one is starting PhD
at university of Liverpool (UK).
• Cláudio Moisés Paulo: MSc student
• Faustino Nhanombe: MSc student
• Valerio Ribeiro: PhD student
(iv) Number of astronomical facilities (observatories, telescopes, etc)
and as much detail about each as possible (websites/contact details)
We don’t have astronomical facilities in our country.
(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.)
According  to  the  different  phases,  our  country  is
in Phase 3 in terms of Professional Astronomy.

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)
Using the IAY2009 program, the organizational  committee of
Mozambique is trying to put some governments institutions involved
with Astronomical  Activities.  Until  now,  Universidade Eduardo
Mondlane, Ministério de Ciêncas e Tecnologia, Instituto Nacional de
Meteorologia, Escola Portuguesa and Escola Italiana are working
together for science outreach which includes Astronomy.

(ii) What non-governmental astronomy/science outreach programmes
for the public take place (NGO activities or international programmes
that your country is involved in)
There is  no non-governmental  astronomy/science outreach
programmes for the public taking places in Mozambique.

(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?
Some times, we have the presence of media when we show
something well organized related to astronomy. As an example, we
had the presence of one TV station when we did launch our IAY2009
program last year celebrating in the same time the Week of Space
Science.  
(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?
People from Mozambique make many questions about astronomy. So,
It’s a welcome subject of conversation.

(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.)
In terms of Public Understanding of Astronomy, our country is in
Phase 4.

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)
We don’t have governmental astronomy education and outreach
programmes taking place in schools. But, we do believe that we will
encourage the people from the government to support the
Introduction of Astronomy in schools with the planed activities for
IAY2009. 
(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)
There is no non-governmental astronomy/science education and
outreach programmes for schools taking place.
(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?
We don’t have the presence of astronomy in the school curriculum.
(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?
As I mention above, we don’t have astronomy happening in schools.
But,  there  is  sufficient  number  of  students 
studying maths and science. In General, they are interest in
maths/science and astronomy. They usually ask many question about
Astronomy.
(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.)
According to the different phases, our country is phase 3 in terms of
Astronomy in schools.