Final report

The Regional Astronomical Summer School (September 2-6, 2019) and the Regional Astronomical Workshop (September 11-13, 2019) took place at the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO), which is located near village Byurakan on the picturesque southern slope of Mount Aragatz.

The Regional Astronomical Summer School was aimed at attracting beginner astronomers and related MSc and PhD students to the field of scientific research, teaching the principles of scientific work. Thanks to this, BAO plays a leading role in South West and Central Asian region and offers opportunities for young people to participate in high-level lectures and practical courses as there are not many opportunities for participating in European and American schools. Students in the region also have a wide range of opportunities to communicate, to make new acquaintances, which is very useful for their further advancement. Among the guests of the Regional Summer School there were the President of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (NAS RA) Radik Martirosyan, Academician-Secretary of the Division of Physics and Astrophysics Radik Kostanyan, Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan, Head of Military-Industrial Committee Avetik Kerobyan, Chair of Civil Aviation Committee Tatevik Revazyan, Permanent Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vienna (as well as at UNOOSA & UN COPUOS) Mariam Amatuni Blab, scientists and lecturers Alain Sarkissian and Mustapha Meftah from LATMOS, UVSQ, France.

The Regional Astronomical Workshop reached its aim at exchanging scientific research, teaching, astro tourism and public outreach experience. The workshop brought together astronomers and educators from the South West and Central Asian region. They discussed the recent developments and studies of Astronomy in the region, as well as Astronomical Education, Public Outreach and Astro Tourism issues. The Proceedings of the Workshop will be published in the Communications of BAO refereed journal. The Regional Workshop and School served as a cross-cultural platform for academic interactions, as an opportunity for senior academics to share their experiences to younger generation, as well as for young researchers to expand their networks outside their countries.

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