We will support education with a lecture series given by experienced researched on astronomy science, observing and instrumentation topics for university students. Such lectures enhance the education of the next generation of astronomers and provide feedback for researchers from students. These topics will be covered by our more senior staff mobility / exchange.
In this digital age, there is a clear opportunity to offer this lecture series for download such that they may be used to reach a far wider, international audience. Furthermore, the lectures will be written up into a text book which will also prove to be a valuable teaching resource.
Typically, astronomy students and young staff in CZ and SK do not have an easy, well-established route towards gaining experience with large telescope facilities. There are European Southern Observatory (ESO) studentships/fellowships available, however, these are extremely competitive and offer only a few opportunities every year. Therefore, our proposed students/young staff longer term mobility from CZ/SK to IAC shall reinforce achievement of relevant high quality skills and competencies by spending time at two of the Worlds forefront observatories (Observatorio del Teide, Tenerife, and Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos, La Palma) operated by the IAC within the context of a scientific project. On the other hand Spanish students/young staff have requirement of 12 month foreign experience before being able to work at a Spanish institute as a postdoc. Therefore, we would offer a unique opportunity with our long term mobility stays in CZ/SK for Spanish students/staff.