Partnership

Inter-University Institute for Data Intensive AstronomyThe Inter-university Institute for Data Intensive Astronomy is a partnership of three South African universities, the Universities of Cape Town, of the Western Cape and of Pretoria as well as the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory.
The overarching goal of IDIA is to build within the South African university research community the capacity and expertise in data intensive research to enable global leadership on MeerKAT large survey science projects and large projects on other SKA pathfinder telescopes.
ilifu Research Cloud ComputingIlifu, a big data infrastructure for data-intensive research, enables South African researchers to be world leaders in the strategic science domains of astronomy and bioinformatics. Operated by IDIA on behalf of a consortium of universities and research organisations, ilifu is a node in the national data infrastructure, partly funded by the Department of Science and Innovation to support the National Integrated Cyberinfrastructure System of South Africa.
DARA Big DataThe Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy (DARA) Big Data project was established in 2017 under the UK-South Africa Newton Fund, with the aim of building human capital in data intensive research areas of strategic importance to South Africa and the eight Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Africa partner countries. Data intensive focus areas of DARA Big Data have included topics in astrophysics / astronomy, health sciences and sustainable agriculture, as well as data science to inform policy. DARA Big Data is funded by the UK’s Newton Fund with matching support given by the South African Department of Science and Innovation. See the News page for information on previous events.
Office of Astronomy for DevelopmentThe Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) is a joint project of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and the South African National Research Foundation (NRF) with the support of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI).
The mission of the OAD is to help further the use of astronomy, including its practitioners, skills and infrastructures, as a tool for development by mobilizing the human and financial resources necessary in order to realize the field’s scientific, technological and cultural benefits to society. See for example this resource based on previous hackathons.
BRICS Intelligent Telescope and Data NetworkThe BRICS Intelligent Telescope and Data Network (BITDN) is a collaborative scientific enterprise, drawing on the strengths of all five BRICS partners, while at the same time seeking to address in-country socioeconomic development challenges. The Flagship scientific programme will develop a network of astronomical telescopes, some already existing, and an associated intelligent data network which is the enabler for the science programme. This will leverage existing and planned new telescope and cyber facilities within the BRICS countries and will also draw on the opportunities presented by other multi-wavelength space- and ground-based facilities within, or accessed by, the BRICS countries.

African Astronomical Society
The African Astronomical Society (AfAS) is a Pan-African Professional Society of Astronomers. The vision of AfAS is to create and support a globally competitive and collaborative astronomy community in Africa. Its mission is to be the voice of astronomy in Africa and to contribute to addressing the challenges faced by Africa through the promotion and advancement of astronomy. The society also works to develop Astronomy and Human Capacity throughout the continent of Africa through a vibrant and active AfAS.