By Fatima Saka
In order to equip a girl child on space technology, the National Space Research and Development Agency, and Centre for Basic Space Science and Astronomy, in collaboration with the Office of Astronomy for Development, has trained over eighty female students on Optical Telescopes in capacity building.
The 3 day workshop which was held in Ebirimiri-Agu Umuakashi, Nsukka, Enugu State, from 7th to 9th of June 2023.
The workshop aimed at building capacity, and also encouraged the girls secondary school in astronomy and space science.
With the theme: “Astronomy Development for the Girl Child Using Optical Telescopes in Nigeria”.
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In his opening remarks, the Director of the Centre, Dr. B. I Okere, who was represented by Ass. Director Dr. C. N Ofodum said the centre highly equiped qualified experts in the field of astronomy and space science to train the students, while welcoming the students and their teachers.
The director further expressed that the centre is eager to share its vast knowledge and experience with students, urging the participants to pay close attention to the instructors and make the most of this opportunity to learned.
Also, Dr. George Obasuyi, Deputy Director of Administration at the Centre, said that the age when women were confined to the kitchen has passed, saying that the students should take a keen interest in astronomy and space science education, as it’s going to lead the students to great achievements.
Mrs. Okany Chioma, who was the first female astronomer of the Centre, also welcomed the students and assured them that the workshop would be both interesting and educational.
She further encouraged the students to actively engage and make the most of the workshop.
Therefore, during the workshop, the students successfully modeled solar systems, coupled Galileoscopes, and constructed optical telescopes using the provided materials.
However, the participants of the workshop were female students selected from secondary schools within the Nsukka metropolis. The participating secondary schools were Herald College, Shalom Academy, St. Catherine’s Comprehensive Secondary School, Model Secondary School, Chidubem International Secondary School, and St. Cyprian’s Special Secondary School.
Also, the technical committee responsible for overseeing the workshop comprised esteemed individuals from both NASRDA-CBSS and the IAU-OAD. From NASRDA-CBSS, the committee included Dr. Bonaventure Okere (the Director of NASRDA-CBSS), Dr. C. N Ofodum, Mrs. Chioma Okany F. and Mr. Egbuim Timothy C. Representing the IAU-OAD on the committee were Dr. Kevin Govender (the Director of IAU-OAD) and Ramasamy Venugopal.
