AUI unites the resources of universities, research organizations and the Federal Government in the planning, construction, and operation of forefront scientific facilities that promote discovery and education while expanding our knowledge of the physical world. To this end, AUI has been involved in, and contributed to, a number of international activities.

Leiden University (LU) instigated and manages Universe Awareness (UNAWE) an IAU-endorsed global astronomy education programme for children aged 4 to 10 and has recently been designated by the European commission to coordinate EU Space Awareness, (EUSPACE-AW) a project targeted at elemntary and high school children and teenagers. Both projects include large numbers of peer reviewed resources and extensive teacher training activities.

All three partners (OAD being the third) recognise that astronomy plays an important role as a “gateway science” attracting people to the fields of science, engineering and technology at all levels including university, school and public. Some specific areas of this collaboration:

  1. Development and dissemination of university astronomy curricula and resources
  2. Development and dissemination of radio astronomy materials for K12 curricula
  3. International Exchange Programme