SARAO joins 11th Meeting of the BRICS Astronomy Working Group in Brazil

SARAO was well represented at the 11th Meeting of the BRICS Astronomy Working Group held from 13 to 17 October 2025 in São José dos Campos, State of São Paulo, Brazil.

The meeting, attended by a South African astronomy delegation which included the SARAO Managing Director, Pontsho Maruping, the Chief Director of Astronomy, and the Senior Administrator from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, the SAAO Managing Director, Dr Rosalind Skelton, as well as postgraduate students from universities such as the University of Cape Town and the University of Johannesburg.

Simphiwe Madlanga, SARAO Science Engagement Coordinator, also joined the group, working closely with the BRICS Astronomy and BRICS Intelligent Telescope and Data Network.

The workshop and related activities, hosted at the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE), which is the Brazilian National Institute for Space Research, was a week-long programme bringing together leading astronomers; researchers, outreach professionals, educators, development practitioners, and policymakers, to share the latest developments and best practices for mutual gain.

The offering and activities included scientific lectures, engagements on education, development, and science outreach, a BRICS Astronomy Working Group meeting, virtual observatory training, scientific communication training, and excursions to research institutions, such as the National Laboratory for Astrophysics and the Pico dos Dias Observatory.

“Apart from ensuring that SARAO was well represented and branded throughout, I supported the work done collaboratively between the countries present at the meeting, having established a solid working relationship through the AfAS Conferences and IAU-General Assembly 2024 events, among others,” says Madlanga.

Madlanga continues: “The event also emphasised the rich culture, offering attendees an immersive experience in the diverse local cuisine, music, languages, dance, and an excursion to the countryside where a research observatory was visited. This cultural exploration served as a backdrop for networking and informal knowledge exchange among the delegates and the community of practice.”