The IDIA Quarter 1 2026 newsletter, covering January to March 2026, highlights a strong start to the year across research, technology, and human capacity development. Highlights include Nature portfolio publications from the IDIA community, the release of iDaVIE v1.0, and expanding contributions to AI and machine learning in astronomy. The newsletter also showcases the impact of the ilifu cloud computing … Read More
In the context of the 2021 Indaba X Roadshow, a panel discussion will be held at the University of Pretoria on the new and powerful collaborative aspects of modern scientific research, especially in relation to Machine Learning and Aritifcial Intelligence. IDIA Senior Researcher and Senior Lecturer in Physics Dr. Kshitij Thorat is joining the panel discussion that will take place … Read More
Working in partnership with IDIA, astronomers involved in the LADUMA (Looking At the Distant Universe with the MeerKAT Array) project have discovered a powerful, energetic “megamaser” source in a galaxy almost five billion light years away from Earth. The LADUMA team is seeking a nickname for this source in one of South Africa’s eleven official languages, or in one of … Read More
In an issue packed with retrospectives and news from UWC’s 60th Anniversary year in 2020, IDIA’s language project with the UWC Xhosa department to translate Astronomy resources into isiXhosa get an honourable mention. We also congratulate our Senior research Prof. Mario Santos for his NRF A-rating, a great achievement. Finally, there is also mention of our colleagues from Bioinformatics, and … Read More
University of the Western Cape (UWC) veteran scholar, Associate Professor Carolina Ödman, has been shortlisted for this year’s prestigious National Science and Technology Forum-South32 (NSTF-South32) Awards, popularly known as the “Science Oscars of South Africa”. Prof Ödman is a finalist for the Communication Award for her pioneering work in astronomy outreach, development and education. The Communication Award recognises a communicator … Read More
IDIA is pleased to welcome Prof. Ewine F. van Dishoeck from Leiden Observatory (Leiden University) who will be our next speaker for the SEADS Series. Prof. van Dischoeck is the current President of the International Astronomical Union. The elements we know, from helium to uranium, are made in stars. Now, research is looking into how these elements combine – still … Read More
Astrophysicist Carolina Ödman was born in Switzerland, earned her PhD at Cambridge University, and has worked all over the world – but it’s in South Africa that she’s found her true home. Her work in pushing science outreach and education in the country (and beyond) has earned her a nomination for AfricaCom Female Innovator of the Year 2019. “The nomination … Read More
We are pleased once again to welcome another international visitor, Prof. Jayanne English from the University of Manitoba, a university in Winnipeg, Canada. Prof. English is visiting IDIA from 31 October to 10 November 2019, and will be hosted by the University of Cape Town. Prof. English is a long time acquaintance of Prof. Russ Taylor, the Director of IDIA. … Read More
The paths to success for women in science are as diverse as the women scientists of this country. Over the last few weeks astronomers and stakeholders from the Inter-University Institute for Data Intensive Astronomy (IDIA) have been raising awareness in several communities. A notable event was organised by Protea Heights Academy in Brackenfell to celebrate Women’s Month on August 24. … Read More
As part of our third instalment of the SEADS (Science Engagement and Development Seminar) series, we are welcoming the Xinabox. #Occupy Orbit Judi Sandrock, Co-founder, Xinabox-STEM Space Programme How South African students are launching experiments into space Xinabox is a technology and hardware ecosystem developed in the Western Cape, specifically to eliminate barriers to participation in the growing space economy. The … Read More
