الاتحاد العربي لعلوم الفضاء والفلك

AUASS
“The Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, in collaboration with the International Astronomical Union, hosted the Fifth Meeting of the Middle East and Africa Regional Office for Astronomy for Development (MEARIM) through the virtual platform of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences “
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Amman, Jordan – (10th – 12th November 2020)

Under the patronage of Professor Hamid Mjoul Al-Nuaimi, President of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, and the Director of the University of Sharjah, and in the presence of the President of the International Astronomical Union, Edwin van Dychuk, and the Director of the Office of Astronomy for Development at the International Astronomical Union, Kevin Govender, along with several directors and heads of Arab and international astronomical associations and institutions, the International Astronomical Union held its fifth meeting for the Middle East and Africa under the theme of “Teaching and Research in Astronomy for Future Generations.”

The meeting witnessed a significant participation of scientists, researchers, and experts in space and astronomy from more than thirty-seven countries around the world. Dr. Eng. Awni Mohammed Al-Khasawneh, the General Manager of the Regional Center for Space Science and Technology Education for Western Asia, and the Secretary-General of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, inaugurated the conference proceedings with his welcoming speech. The conference and meeting were conducted through the virtual platform of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences.

President of the International Astronomical Union, Edwin van Dychuk, delivered a speech at the opening of the conference, expressing gratitude to the sponsor of the event, Professor Hamid Mjoul Al-Nuaimi, President of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences. He praised the organizers of the conference and the Chair of the Organizing Committee, Dr. Eng. Awni Mohammed Al-Khasawneh, the Secretary-General of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, highlighting the significance of holding this conference amidst the challenging circumstances posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized that convening this meeting represents a shining beacon of international cooperation between Africa, the Middle East, and the International Astronomical Union. He also commended the large and diverse attendance of the conference, which included a significant number of scientists from around the world, representing both the International Astronomical Union and institutions of astronomy and space science in the Middle East and Africa.

In his address, the conference sponsor, President of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, Professor Hamid Mjoul Al-Nuaimi, underscored the importance of holding this meeting and conference in these complex international circumstances and during the COVID-19 pandemic. He welcomed the distinguished guests and all participants, commending the scientific papers presented at the conference and included in its agenda. He also praised the remarkable efforts of Dr. Eng. Awni Mohammed Al-Khasawneh, the Secretary-General of the Union and the General Manager of the Regional Center for Space Science and Technology Education, in organizing and preparing for the conference. He called for continued cooperation between Arab and African countries through international astronomical organizations such as the International Astronomical Union and regional astronomical organizations like the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences and the Office of Astronomy for Development in Arab countries.

Kevin Govender, the Director of the Office of Astronomy for Development at the International Astronomical Union, expressed his gratitude to the Secretary-General of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, Dr. Eng. Awni Al-Khasawneh, for his significant and outstanding efforts in convening this meeting after it had been postponed several times due to the pandemic. He stated that the large number of scientists and researchers in space and astronomy from various countries around the world, along with the distinguished scientific papers presented at the conference, indicate significant interest in developing astronomy sciences and utilizing them for sustainable development and the benefit of humanity as a whole.

The participants discussed the scientific papers presented at the conference, with more than sixty scientific papers being discussed during morning and evening sessions over three days of the conference. The conference sessions were moderated by distinguished academics from various countries around the world. This conference aims to elevate the scientific and professional level of those working in the space and astronomy sector. The conference topics covered various specialized subjects, such as optical and radio telescopes, stellar and galactic structures, cosmology, recent observation processes, using sky domes systems in education, the solar system, near-Earth objects, outer planets, astronomy and space weather, climate change, multi-purpose tracking systems in astronomy: electromagnetic waves, cosmic rays, neutrons, gravity waves, as well as presenting best practices in public outreach using social media for public engagement in astronomy, astronomical communication to promote peace and communication between cultures, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and its applications in space sciences, and the role of astronomy in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is worth noting that the International Astronomical Union’s Fifth Meeting for the Middle East and Africa is held once every two years, alternating between an African country and an Arab country. This fifth meeting contributes to enhancing cooperation between Arab and African countries and to disseminating knowledge in astronomy and space sciences among various segments of society in these countries. The opening of the Arab Regional Office for Astronomy Development in the Arab region, hosted by the Arab Union in Amman in 2015, aims to achieve and improve cooperation in the field of space science and technology and to effectively utilize humanities in sustainable development of natural resources through education, training, and research. The Office also prepares and trains specialized Arab cadres in the field of space and astronomy. It serves as a center for training and scientific research in the Arab region and has achieved many accomplishments during this short period through effective cooperation with member states, including various agreements with different countries and similar institutions.

On his part, Dr. Eng. Awni Mohammed Al-Khasawneh, the General Manager of the Regional Center for Space Science and Technology Education for Western Asia, stated that the Regional Center was established to serve Arab countries. It was founded in 2012, and its permanent headquarters was inaugurated in Amman, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, under royal patronage. It currently includes 11 Arab countries as members and aims to include all Arab countries. The Regional Center aims to expand its academic programs, including granting master’s degrees in collaboration with several Jordanian universities in space and astronomy disciplines and their applications. These disciplines include remote sensing, geographic information systems, space meteorology, satellite communications, space science, astronomy, and space law to prepare a cadre of Arab researchers in space science and technology to supply schools and universities with specialists in these fields.

The conference concluded with several important recommendations that advance space and astronomy sciences. At the end of the conference, Professor Hamid Mjoul Al-Nuaimi, President of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, extended a message of thanks and appreciation to Dr. Eng. Awni Mohammed Al-Khasawneh, the Secretary-General of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, for his blessed and noble efforts in organizing this conference under such circumstances and for the distinguished results it yielded.

The participants also unanimously expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the President of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences and the Director of the University of Sharjah for their efforts in developing the Union through joint Arab and international scientific and practical work and for their diligent pursuit in promoting and elevating astronomy and space sciences in our Arab region.
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