SA BID TO HOST SKA TELESCOPE TO BOOST SKILLS

Hosting the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope in South Africa will boost the development of high level skills and cutting edge technology infrastructure, says President Jacob Zuma.

Speaking at the African Union Heads of State and Government Assembly in Addis Ababa, President Zuma said that if South Africa won the bid to host the radio telescope, other parts of Africa would also reap the benefits.

President Zuma said hosting the Square Kilometre Array will underscore Africa's capability in science and innovation, investment in infrastructure would contribute to economic growth in the region, lead to improved ICT infrastructure and internet access for millions of people as well as answer fundamental questions in the fields of astronomy, physics and cosmology.

South Africa and Australia are competing to host the multi-billion rand telescope which will allow astronomers to peer back in time almost to the birth of the universe. South Africa has developed partnerships with eight other African countries to allow for a SKA station, namely Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia.

The announcement of the choice of site is expected between 2011 and 2012 and construction is scheduled to start in 2013.

Source: BuaNews, 2010/01/31