Dr. Bonaventure Okere, an esteemed astronomer with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), has won the 2024 International Astronomical Union (IAU) Prize for Astronomy Education in Africa.
The winner was announced in a statement issued on the union’s official website page, by Guido Schwarz, IAU’s Press Officer; highlighting Okere’s significant contributions to astronomy education across the continent.
The IAU’s awards recognize exceptional contributions to astronomy outreach, development, and education, and were established in 2022.
Dr. Okere, along with Linda Strubbe, received the Outreach, Development, and Education (ODE) prize for their outstanding leadership in providing high-quality educational experiences for African university students.
Dr. Okere played a pivotal role in founding the Pan-African School for Emerging Astronomers (PASEA) during the IAU 28th General Assembly in Beijing. This initiative aims to enhance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in Nigeria and Africa.
Linda Strubbe has been instrumental in designing, leading, and teaching within PASEA, creating an evidence-based curriculum that intertwines scientific practices with teaching content.
PASEA has already made a substantial impact, training over 300 students from 18 African countries, with the latest session held in Tunisia.
Dr. Okere expressed his gratitude, emphasizing the importance of developing African astronomers who can contribute significantly to the numerous observatories across the continent.
Other 2024 IAU prize recipients include Saran Poshyachinda for IAU Outreach and the Central American-Caribbean Bridge in Astrophysics for IAU Development.
The awards, chosen from 62 global nominations, will be presented at the IAU 32nd General Assembly in Cape Town, South Africa, in August.
Dr. Bonaventure Okere is currently the Director of the Centre for Basic Space Science and Astronomy at NASRDA, where he continues to drive advancements in astronomy education and research.
