South Africa will participate in the 12th Annual BRICS Astronomy Working Group (BAWG) Meeting in India, to strengthen scientific collaboration and advance joint research priorities among BRICS member countries.
The meeting will take place from 26 to 30 October 2026 and will focus on multi-messenger and multi-wavelength transients, while exploring opportunities for research collaboration, skills development and public engagement in astronomy.
The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation’s Chief Director of Astronomy, Takalani Nemaungani, will lead South Africa’s 17-member delegation, which includes representatives from the South African Astronomical Observatory, the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory, the University of Cape Town, the University of the Western Cape, the Inter-University Institute for Data Intensive Astronomy and the University of Johannesburg.
The delegation will participate in presentations on the state of astronomy in BRICS member countries, highlighting scientific developments, strategic priorities and policy perspectives.
The discussions are expected to assist in informing collective planning and provide an opportunity to identify shared challenges and opportunities across the BRICS astronomy community.
“Their participation highlights South Africa’s contribution to the Working Group and the role of national research institutions and universities in advancing collaborative astronomy,” the National Research Foundation (NRF) said in a statement.
At the meeting, researchers, government representatives, educators and science communicators will review progress on existing initiatives, strengthen partnerships and identify new opportunities for cooperation in astronomy research and technology development.
The programme will also include the BAWG Data Science Hackathon, organised in collaboration with the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences and the Indian Space Research Organisation.
Other activities will include science communication training, the launch of the BRICS Astronomy Robotics and Coding Training initiative and a public exhibition showcasing astronomy facilities across BRICS countries.
Furthermore, discussions will cover research, technology development, education, data science, human capital development and public engagement.
For South Africa, these engagements are important for strengthening the national astronomy landscape, connecting local expertise with international research networks, while supporting the development of skills, innovation and public engagement.
“By bringing together scientific research, policy dialogue, capacity building and public engagement, the BAWG reinforces astronomy’s contribution to scientific advancement and sustainable development across BRICS countries.”
About the BAWG
The BRICS Astronomy Working Group was established in 2015 to promote cooperation among member countries in astronomy research, technology development and capacity building.
Its flagship initiative, the BRICS Intelligent Telescope and Data Network (BITDN), supports long-term collaboration through shared research infrastructure and data capabilities.
The working group aims to strengthen astronomy research and innovation while advancing scientific cooperation and skills development across BRICS countries. – SAnews.gov.za
