The Department of Physics, Faculty of Science at MUST hosted a training in astronomy/Astrophysics from July 31, 2023 to August 11, 2023. The main facilitator of the training was Dr. Mirjana Povic, an Assistant Professor at the Space Science and Geospatial Institute in Ethiopia. Dr. Mirjana is also an Associate researcher at the Institute of Astrophysics in Andalucia, Spain and an honorary lecturer at MUST.
Above: Asst. Prof. Mirjana Povic during the training
The training organised by Assoc. Prof. Edward Jurua, the Head of Department, Physics was mainly for the Master of Science in Physics students. The main focus was to train the students in data reduction and analysis in Astrophysics.
‘Dr. Povic looks at people’s needs. She is exceptional and has supported the development of Astronomy in Africa in general, and Uganda in particular. She has given a number of lectures to our postgraduate students since her appointment as honorary lecturer. Despite the war in Ethiopia, she stayed to support the students in Ethiopia and other parts of Africa’ said Prof. Jurua at the closure of the training. While giving a vote of thanks, one of the students, Mr. Fred Tushabe said that Dr. Povic is very inspirational, passionate about astronomy and encouraged them to be persistent, believe in themselves and to support the less privileged.
‘I am so inspired by the students, their commitment and focus to learn is amazing’ Dr Povic said. She appreciated the Department for the fruitful partnership and noted that she started with student supervision in 2015 and has since had guest lectures.
Above: Group photo taken after the training
The Astronomy/Astrophysics research is supported by the East African Astronomical Research Network (EAARN), a project hosted at MUST and brings together three countries; Uganda, Rwanda and Ethiopia. EAARN is sponsored by the International Science Programme (ISP) of Uppsala University in Sweden. The Leader of EAAN is Associate Prof. Simon Anguma Katrini, from Muni University, and his deputy is Associate Professor Pheneas Nkundabakura, from University of Rwanda, College of Education. Associate Prof. Nkundabakura annually visits MUST to support the project by teaching the Masters students. In addition to EAARN, ISP also supports the MUST-ISP project which also aims at training human resource in Astrophysics and Space Science in Uganda. Assoc. Prof. Edward Jurua is the leader of the MUST-ISP project. These projects have already trained a number PhDs who are teaching in Universities in Uganda, Rwanda and Ethiopia.
Left to right: Asst. Prof. Mirjana Povic, Assoc. Prof. Pheneas Nkundabakura and Assoc. Prof. Edward Jurua
Appreciation goes to the Department of Physics and in particular Prof. Jurua who has been at the fore front of establishing the development of astrophysics as MUST and in Uganda.
Succeed we must.