- India’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Prabhat Kumar, formally handed over a banner of India’s Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) to the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) during a ceremony at the Royal Observatory in Cape Town.
- This marks further strengthening of the long-standing scientific collaboration between the two countries.
- The Indian envoy commended the SAAO for its exemplary research, adding that the placement of the IUCAA banner was symbolic of the Government of India’s priority attached to scientific research and innovation.
- SAAO Managing Director, Rosalind Skelton, reiterated the strength of the partnership, highlighting the achievements of the SALT facility over the past two decades.
- They are developing a new camera detector and controller in partnership with Indian collaborators, which is expected to be installed on the telescope in the coming months.
- Ms Skelton also pointed to future engagements under the BRICS framework, noting that South African scientists would participate in key astronomy meetings hosted by India later this year.
- India currently holds the 2026 BRICS chairship, under which a series of astronomy-related engagements are being organised, with the SAAO actively participating.
Source: AIR News