The African Initiative for Planetary and Space Science is glad to announce the submission of the project “MATERNA – Mobility in Africa for Training, Education and Research: Network for Astrophysics” to the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme”.This project is led by Abdelmajid BENHIDA from the University Cadi Ayyad (Marrakech, Morocco) and includes several funding members of the African Initiative for Planetary and Space Science. The Institutions of 9 countries are participating (Morocco, Ethiopia, Kenya, Ouganda, South Africa, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Belgium and France – the University of Nice being the technical partner -).

The acronym “MATERNA” reminds us that Astronomy is the Mother of Sciences and plays an important role in the training of the young generation in many scientific disciplines. This project aims to facilitate the mobility of African PhD and master students between African Institutions to complete their training within a network of an Universities and Research Centers that are leading the development of Astronomy in Africa. This submission is an important step moving forward the construction of a community of Astrophysicists in Africa !

Good luck to the new project and congratulations the the MATERNA team !