Sent in by Hamid Touma (27-03-2008)

 

Concerning my country MOROCCO, we are a member of IAU since 1990, and the astronomy is teaching in 6 Sciences Faculties of 6 diférentes Universities between 14 Universities in th country.
Science Faculty of Rabat, Mohamed V Universit Rabat
Science Faculty of Marrakech, Caddi Ayyad University Marrakech
Science Faculty of Agadir, Ibn Zohr University Agadir
Science Faculty of Casablanca, Hassn II University Casablanca
Science Faculty of Oujda, Hassan I University Oujda
Science Faculty of Tétouan, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University Tétouan Tanger

We are 20 moroccans astronomers teaching in these national universities

The field of research is very small. A few articles and publications of the Moroccan astronomers are published in the Atronomy and Astrophysics Journal, and the books and proceeding of IAU. Durins 2000 May we are organising an international meeting under of the IAU. 2003-04 we are organising an International School for Young Astronomers at AlAKHAWANE University Ifrane under IAU.

We would like to underline that the almost of activities in astronomies in Morocco is concerning the large public and the schoolards (young people). For exemple, at the Rabat Observatory, we have recevins from 1999 untl today more than 25 000 schoolards and students.

The Moroccan Astronomers Amateurs Network countains 15 structures developpins the astronomy for the large pubic and countains more than 200 members.

For the last Lunar eclipse of 21 February 2008, we have talk in the national radio waves for 2 hours in live from 5 differents cities and aera in the Morocco.

In current, we have begin the construction of a new planetarium for then less of 40 places in Guelmim south of Morocco. And, we wish finish it durins the next year.

FOr more information, please don't hesitates to contact me.

Hamid TOUMA
Head of the Moroccan Astronomer Amateurs Network (touma@cnrst.ma)

 

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1. Professional (Research) Astronomy:

(i) Number of universities offering Astronomy (and their names)




(ii) Number of universities offering Physics (and their names)



(iii) Number of academics who have been trained in Astronomy (ideally with their names and levels of qualification)



(iv) Number of astronomical facilities (observatories, telescopes, etc) and as much detail about each as possible (websites/contact details)



(v) Self evaluation (according to the different phases above, how would you rate your country in terms of Professional Astronomy?

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2. Public Understanding of Astronomy:

(i) What governmental astronomy/science outreach programmes for the public take place (co-ordinated either by government departments or national facilities)

 

(ii) What non-governmental astronomy/science outreach programmes for the public take place (NGO activities or international programmes that your country is involved in)



(iii) Comment on the presence of astronomy in the media (TV, radio, newspapers). Is it very prominent? Are there specific programmes on astronomy? Is the media generally willing to publish news on astronomy?



(iv) Comment on the presence of astronomy/science in the general culture of the people. Are there any specific challenges or setbacks? Is astronomy a welcome subject of conversation?



(v) Self evaluation (according to the different phases above, how would you rate your country in terms of Public Understanding of Astronomy?

 

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3. Astronomy in Schools:

(i) What governmental astronomy/science education and outreach programmes for schools take place (co-ordinated either by government departments or national facilities)


 

(ii) What non-governmental astronomy/science education and
 outreach programmes for schools take place (NGO activities or international programmes that your country is involved in)



(iii) Comment on the presence of astronomy in the school curriculum. Is it part of the school curriculum? Is it very prominent? What age groups?

(iv) Comment on the status of astronomy/science
 in schools. Are there any specific challenges or setbacks? Sufficient number of students studying maths and science? General interest in maths/science/astronomy in schools?

(v) Self evaluation (according to the different phases above, how would you rate your country in terms of Astronomy in Schools?

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Any other general comments or information that you feel would be useful for this survey?