On 28 March 2016, Yunnan Astronomical Observatory, the Astronomical Society of Yunnan province, and the journal “Geography of Remote Regions” jointly organized public outreach and donation activities in remote areas in Yunnan province
The Chinese Ministry of Education approved the establishment of a new Department of Astronomy at China West Normal University in Nanchong (Sichuan province, western China). The EA-ROAD director has been appointed a joint professor at the new department, where he will consult on curriculum development
East Asia ROAD isengaged in astrophysics curriculum development at the National University of Mongolia, where a new astrophysics “minor” degree will soon be established.
Portuguese LOAD held its inaugural conference where memorandums of understanding were signed with representatives from Portugal, Brazil, São Tome and Principe, Cape Verde and Mozambique.
The website of PLOAD was launched at the inauguration – http://pload.org/
South West Asia ROAD and Armenian Astronomical Society held a conference on “Scientific Tourism in the South West Asian Region” for better collaboration between science and tourism.The conference was organized with the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.
From March 27 to April 2,SWA ROAD had a mission to Georgia. The first part of the mission was spent in Tbilisi and the second part in Abastumani. A two-day workshop was organized at Ilia State University.
Another workshop was organized in Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory on March 31 – April 1.
Southern African ROAD hosted a visiting expert, Dr. Sohan Jheeta, who gave astronomy talks at the Copperbelt University, Mukuba Secondary School, Munali Secondary School and at the University of Zambia and also in Malawi.
One of the major outcomes of his visit is the start of collaboration in astronomy outreach in which a mobile telescope will be source for use in Zambia and another in Malawi.
West African ROADhas started discussion with a non governmental organization on using astronomy to promote peace in the region.
Letters have been sent to West African countries embassies/high Commissions in Abuja seeking attention for meeting to deliberate on how WAROAD can contribute to the development of Astronomy in various countries.
WAROAD is planning a regional celebration of Asteroid Day on June 30, 2016. This is aimed at sensitizing the general public on the dangers inherent in the Near Earth Object falls. In the month of March 2016, a suspected meteorite object landed in Nigeria, causing panic and false beliefs.