my vision for astronomy in south africa' presentation by deputy ceo: astronomy at the national...
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‘My Vision for Astronomy in South Africa’ public talk presentation at the South African Astronomical Observatory on Tuesday, 21 October 2014.TRANSCRIPT
My vision for Astronomy in South AfricaNithaya Chetty
DCEO: Astronomy
What would I like to achievein the mid- to long-term future?
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Outline
• My vision for astronomy in South Africa• The role and function of the Astronomy sub-
Agency
2
EXCELLENCE(world class)
Research, Teaching, HCD pipeline, OutreachInfrastructure, Engineering, MaintenanceGovernance, Management and Administration
Socio-economic-political sphere
Transformation
Public understanding of Science
STEM education
Innovation
African Leadership
Intra-African collaborations
Human capacity development
Afro-optimism
(Astro-optimism)
Science engagement
Skills transfer
International Corporation
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Quantifiable Excellence
What is South Africa’s international standing in Astronomy, in all its facets?•Research niche areas critical mass at universities and NF’s•Quality research publications across the entire system•Number of graduates per year•NRF rated researchers in universities and national laboratories•Optimal use of RSA and international facilities•Optimal return on investments•Develop astronomy broadly in RSA and in Africa
• Astronomy Advisory Council• Long-term Strategic Plan for Astronomy
Reward excellence!
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Multi-wavelength astronomy
Over and above single wavelength astronomyWhole greater than sum of individual partsOptical, Radio and Gamma collaborations
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Pillars for multi-wavelength astronomy
RadioOptical
Gamma
Theoretical
Computational
International open time
International archives
Optical
Investments in international telescopes
Buckets of photons
VLBI/AVN
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“Glue” for Multi-wavelength astronomy
Focus on the science first, instrumentation secondSub-AgencyConsolidated HCDConsolidated Science EngagementUnified international engagementsVirtual ObservatoryTheoretical & Computational AstrophysicsTools for discoveryExa-scale computing, Big data
Spectroscopy is worth 106 words
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Optical Astronomy
Need a range of small, mid-sized and large telescopes at Sutherland4m class telescope to fill the gapSpectroscopic follow-up for radio and gamma sourcesStill great science with modern small telescopesOff-load jobs from SALT
SAAO sets a high standard for research at a national facility•HCD•science engagement
More sustainably financial footing for SAAO
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Optical Astronomy
New fully steerable SALT-type (spherical) telescopeRSA has the expertise1000 fiber spectrograph, square degree fov
SALTProduce excellent scienceMaintain the telescope in peak operational conditionSecure financial sustainability •Stronger commitment by SALT partners to SALT•Need a new major investor in SALT
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MeerKAT will be built and commissioned, on schedule and without hiccupsMeerKAT projects will be ground-breaking and transformationalMeerKAT will be maximally utilised for RSA scienceLast 64 SKA dishes rather than first 64 SKA dishes
SKA will be fully funded, built and commissionedNobel prize quality science, discoveries not yet anticipatedInternational SKA governance model will be finalisedDST continues to have a strong hand in managing the SKA Project
The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory will be established A delocalised system for SARAOMerger of SKA with HartRAOStrong collaborations with RSA universities, and international institutions
Radio astronomy
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KAT7 will be utilised for science, multi-wavelength collaborationsPAPER, CBASS will involve RSA science collaborationsHERA will hopefully be built in RSAThe Astronomy Reserve becomes a net attractor for global radio astronomy projects
HartRAO will continue to develop its own niche in post-MeerKAT eraStrengthen its engagements with universities in the NorthLead VLBI science and technology in AfricaSpace GeodesyAfrican Radio Astronomy TrainingStrong cooperation with SANSA
Radio astronomy
Need for high-profile Radio Astronomy Science Director11
South African Gamma Ray Astronomy Programme will grow appropriatelyStrengthen Astronomy in the NorthSupport development of gamma ray astronomy in NamibiaThe CTA will hopefully come to Namibia
Gamma ray astronomy
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Theoretical and Computational
Theoretical astrophysics, CosmologyGravitational Wave Astronomy Computational Astrophysics, simulationsComputational discoveryExa-scale computing, Big data, tools
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Engineering and Technical disciplines
Develop astronomy-related engineering and technical disciplinesNF’s workshops, Engineering faculties and UoT’sTraining of engineers, technicians, artisans
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Uni
vers
ity e
duca
tion
and
trai
ning
Human Capacity Development and Transformation
Poorly prepared maths and science learners
Excellent graduates
Broad range of skillsVersatile
ResearchersEngineers
TechniciansSoftware developers
EntrepreneursInnovators
Problem solversVerbal and writing skills
Bridge
MotivationInspiration
SupportHard workDiscipline 15
NASSP + Post Graduate Bridging ProgrammeMulti-nodal NASSP programme in RSA and elsewhere in AfricaAstronomy science, engineering and technical training
Need for a holistic, consolidated HCD programme for Astronomy•Currently very fragmented (long term strategic plan?)
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He is an astrophysicist …..….. I am sure he can make
good beer
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Human Capacity Development and Transformation
People developmentPeople supportInstitutional developmentBroaden astronomy throughout South Africa Succession planningRecruitment strategies, e.g. associate directors at NF’sHead hunting
Creating future leaders for South Africa
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African Astronomy Developments
Will SKA2 be a reality? A R100b question. AVN is a precursor for African development + science
• Expanded NASSP system increase foreign African intake, European funding • NASSP African node• JEDI• Twinning programme• IAU OAD• Science engagement
government government
technical
academic
technical
academic
Focus on people development
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International Astronomy Engagements
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPSWe cannot be everywhere at the same time, COUNTRY-TO-COUNTRYChoose international partnerships strategicallyChoose projects, modalities strategicallyFew excellent international partners rather than many mediocre international partnershipsLeverage international sources of funding, e.g. bilateral agreementsIAU
PARTNERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL PROJECTSRSA can only build and maintain a small number of excellent facilitiesJudicious choice of international projects, e.g. LSST
INTERNATIONAL MOBILITYContinuous exchange of researchers and students with excellent international institutionsObservational, theoretical, computational, engineering and technical collaborationsIncrease our supervisory capacity, and development of people 20
Foregoing: What I would like to see achieved in the mid- to long-term future
What are the challenges, hurdles?How will I accomplish this? Goals, Actions, ….How would I approach the job of DCEO?My thoughts on the structure of the sub-Agency?
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The Role and Function of the Astronomy sub-Agency
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Office of DCEO
Astronomy Advisory Council
Putative sub-Agency
Astronomy National Facilities & ProjectsTargeted Astronomy Programmes
Shared Corporate Services
e.g. HR, Finances, Legal, Governance, Communications
NRF Board
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CEO DST
Astronomy Advisory Council
• Prof Renee Kraan-Korteweg (UCT) - Chair• Prof David Davidson (US)• Prof Romeel Dave (UWC)• Prof Thebe Medupe (NWU)• Prof Sergio Colafrancesco (Wits)• Prof Kavilan Moodley (UKZN)• Prof Frikkie van Niekerk (NWU)• Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng (UNISA)• Prof Bo Peng (National Astronomical Observatory, China)• Prof George Miley (Univ Leiden, Netherlands)• Prof Ted Williams (SAAO)• Prof Bernie Fanaroff (SKA)• Prof Ludwig Combrinck (HartRAO)• Dr Val Munsami (DST)• Prof Nithaya Chetty (NRF)
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• Top-thin• Skeleton staff• Maximally use NRF systems, RISA systems
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Office of DCEO
• Grow from here, an evolving situation
Research, Innovation, Support and Advancement
(RISA)
University Research Community
Service/Operational interface
NF Research Community
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DCEORISA
IRC
KFD
ARIC
RCCE
HICD
IEPD
GMSA
RE
DCEOASTRONOMY
• Matrix structure• Long-term strategic plan
Targeted astronomy programmes• Open calls including astronomy
Standing Astronomy Grants Panel
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Culture & Ethos
NRF Corporate
National Facilities
Universities
RISA
CorporatisationPerceptions of over-regulationPoor service and unnecessary bureaucracy
AccountabilityPFMAKing III
Treasury requirementsDST requirements
NRF Policies and ProceduresSCM
Our primary purpose is to createa supportive environment for researchand HCD
Circulation of people
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1. Strategic management by Astronomy sub-Agency
2. Management by RISA Executive Directors
3. Administration by RISA Support Services
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• Strategic leadership for SAAO, SALT, HartRAO, HESS and CTA. • Support of SKA-SA including AVN • Strategic management of targeted astronomy programmes, SA-Gamma, NASSP• Interface with RISA • Support strong research ethos for astronomy• Quality human capacity• Transformation• Strengthen Astronomy in the “North”• Development of Astronomy broadly within Africa
Function
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• Engineering and technical training• Enhance stability, corporation and good relations in the Astronomy
environment• Become more familiar with the international Astronomy terrain• Employ international best practice in the management and
administration • Speak on behalf of Astronomy in South Africa, represent the
astronomy community in deliberations within NRF, in government and internationally.
Function
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Consultative, communicativePrincipled, consistentTransparentServiceBest interests for Astronomy
Approach
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1. Solid governance system that works for Astronomy2. A sustainable funding system for Astronomy
The end
When I leave the scene ….