The CHPC (Centre for High Performance Computing) delivered computer training for DARA students in Maputo.

The CHPC introduced a full week of computer training as part of the DARA training program. This unit, is similar to CHPC Introductory programming school running on an annual basis in South Africa. The first training took place at the Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (UEM), Maputo, Mozambique from 30 October 2017 to 3 November 2017. The course was delivered by scientists from CHPC in South Africa: Dr Krishna Govender; Dr Sean February; and Dr Daniel Moeketsi. However, Mr. Claudio Moises Paulo and Mr. Valente Cuambe from UEM assisted with tutoring and translation to local language where necessary. The event was attended by 20 participants (11 DARA Students and 9 Staff members of UEM). Most students computer background was mainly in Windows and were mainly from the Physics department.

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The full 5 day school (2.5 for Linux and 2.5 for python) format was hands-on, students learnt by doing! In particular, the training covered basic introduction to Linux command line, bash scripting and Python Programming. It is a requirement that these students must attend this computer training before they can do anything related to radio Astronomy. Students were keen to learn. Interestingly, we observed students also forming small working groups naturally. The UEM staff plan to form a Linux and Python working group or discussion forum. The next computer training is scheduled for DARA Students in Kenya around mid November 2017 and the Botswana, Zambia, and Namibia cohort at HartRAO in February 2018.