The Cadi Ayyad University of Marrakech and the Oukaimeden Astronomical Observatory are organizing two major international scientific events on variable stars, namely: The 8th edition of the International School of Astrophysics of Oukaimeden, known simply as OISA (Oukaimeden International School for Astrophysics) planned
from November 18 to 22 and the 5th edition of the meeting on variable stars (RR Lyrae and Cepheid meeting) 2024 expected in Marrakech, from November 24 to 30, 2024 in progress.
In the continuity of the development of the discipline of astrophysics in general via the Oukaimeden astronomical observatory, and in particular the specialty of stellar physics and variable stars, which the Moroccan team of the observatory that I am trying to develop directs, declares Professor Benhida Abdelmajid ; President of the Conference; “we tried and we really did everything to bring this international conference for the first time to Morocco and Africa, for this, we really put into play everything we do to develop our discipline in Morocco and integrate researchers in Africa.
Indeed, he added, during the African conference, we held a special session for the discipline of variable stars, stellar physics, and we contacted the researchers and we presented to them what we are doing, and we tried to create an African network for the discipline where Morocco really intends to play the role of leader. We also thought of young students, and it was an opportunity to bring together African students but also Western students and we thought of the school, which will begin on November 18 to last practically a week and where the great specialists of stellar physics will participate, and the programs they will offer are the last ones that are really at the level and taught in major universities, and that is a great opportunity for our students and especially for African students.
According to Benhida Abdelmajid; the students, once in the training of stellar physics, will then attend the international congress which will begin; on November 24 with all the world specialists in the discipline, who will be present with Nobel Prize winner Adam Reis at their head and where truly, all continents are represented. Throughout the week, we will try to develop and present our results and have an idea of the latest results achieved in this field, and at the same time, we also tried to benefit all students of the university and all the public from Marrakech and its surroundings by organizing as usual popularization activities and we are going to visit the girls of Dar Taliba in Marrakech where we had already created an astro club, and we will also try to bring specialists for contact young people, and to see people also in the schools which are in the areas affected by the El Haouz earthquake, he concluded.
According to the organizers, the 8th edition of the International School of Astrophysics of Oukaimeden aims to transfer expertise in stellar physics, particularly on variable stars, to African and international students, in addition to Moroccan students pursuing a master’s degree in astronomy and astrophysics at the Faculty of Sciences Semlalia of Marrakech. This school will be supervised by Moroccan and international researchers specializing in variable stars, in addition to doctoral students in astrophysics from the Semlalia Faculty of Sciences.
During this meeting from November 18 to 22, 2024, devoted to the 8th edition of the International School of Astrophysics of Oukaimeden (OISA 2024) under the theme of “stellar physics for the benefit of local and international students”; African students could be sponsored by the African Astronomical Society (AFAS) to participate in OISA which is one of the most important activities of the Oukaïmeden University Observatory in the field of education and training by research. The Oukaimeden International School of Astrophysics plays a crucial role in promoting collaboration, sharing knowledge and exploring the latest advances in astrophysics.
Also we specify; it is for the first time in Africa that the 5th edition of the meeting on variable stars (RR Lyrae and Cepheid meeting) 2024 will be organized in Marrakech, Morocco, from November 24 to 30, 2024 knowing that the previous editions took place in Visegrad, Hungary in 2015, in Niepolomice, in Poland in 2017, in Cloudcroft, USA in 2019 and in La Palma, Spain in 2022.
During this international event, participants will focus on the development of astronomy in Africa with a view to allowing researchers from the continent to share their expertise and experiences acquired in the study of the variable stars RR Lyrae and Cepheid. The gathering of theorists and experimentalists will allow them to present their recent work, promoting cooperation and positioning Africa in this field of research (https://cep24.uca.ma/)
During this international meeting, the organizers assure; several general public lectures will be given by internationally renowned astrophysicists including Nobel Prize winner Adam RIESS who will give a lecture on data from the James Webb Telescope (JWST), Kathy Vivas (Yale University) and Rachael Beaton (Princeton University).
Likewise, it is specified, the organizers of these events have set themselves the objective of promoting inclusive astronomy and directing young students towards STEM fields. In this context; They will organize with the astronomers participating in the meeting visits to associations (Dar Taliba Marrakech) and schools in and around Marrakech which promote education for rural girls, in particular those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Finally, note that in recent years, Africa has experienced significant development in astronomy and astrophysics. In this context, the Oukaïmeden Astronomical Observatory is considered one of the most important observatories in Africa and the world. He participated in numerous discoveries published in prestigious scientific journals, led or with the participation of Moroccan researchers, particularly on exoplanets and small bodies in our solar system, variable stars.
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