The National Space Research and Development
Agency (NASRDA) Centre for Basic Space Research (CBSS) says it has
concluded arrangements to launch “Women in Astronomy” programme
in 2019 to bridge gender gap in the study of basic space science courses.
The acting Director of the centre, Dr Bonaventure Okere, disclosed this on
Friday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nsukka,
Enugu State.
He said that the launch of the programme was part of the centre’s effort
toward contributing to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs) five and nine, targeted at gender equality, industry, innovation
and infrastructure.
He added that there were few women in the area studying astronomy and
other relates science courses.
He said “Some of the tools that we are developing to address
SDGs include automated irrigation system for agriculture to ensure
food sufficiency and guarantee year-round farming.
“We also have infrared thermometer which can be deployed in the
health sector and the most recent one which is the solar tracker for
energy supply.
“We are also encouraging women to go into basic space science to
address gender imbalance. So some of our girls and
women are involved in space science now.”
He explained that the launch of the women and girls in astronomy programme
next year would boost their participation into the area of space research.
The acting director, however, noted that the scientific tools initiated by the
centre might not address all the challenges in the sector toward
sustainable development “but would reduce them.”
According to him, basic space science is the bedrock for technological
development and any nation that invests in basic space science and
technology development is ready to join the developing world. (NAN)
