Doing astronomy is like investing. It is a science that promotes innovation, an essential ingredient for the sustainable development of a country. - Zara Randriamanakoto

I am the team leader of Kanty Astronomy Research Group (KARG). We are an extragalactic astronomy group affiliated with SAAO and the University of Antananarivo.

Astronomy is a discipline that requires technical skills and cutting-edge technology . And these can be used to tackle environmental challenges such as climate change or to plan the long-term response to the current famine in southern Madagascar.

It wasn't easy at first. But I persevered and now I'm used to the language of Shakespeare. I read a lot and practiced English constantly since classes, conversations with friends and colleagues and especially communication outside the university are in English. It took time. But as the famous proverb says: "Practice makes perfect.