A new program in AIT: Space Technology: Applications and Research
2.2. The STAR Program
The STAR Program will offer in January 1996 the degrees of Masters of Science (MSC) and Doctor of Philosophy (D.Phil) in Space Technology, with subdivisions according to Field of Study & specialisation.
The programme comprises three FOS whom two are clearly technically oriented. This paper describes these two fields. These are: "Remote Sensing and Geoinformatic Science", and "Photogrammetty & Computer assisted Canography" which will be implemented for intake in January 1997.
2.2.1. Remote sensing field and Geoinformatic Science field of study
This field includes the following subjects within its syllabus:
- Principles of Remote Sensing
- Digital Image Processing (including algorithm development
- Microwave Remote Sensing
- Advanced Remote Sensing (3 D, GPS,..)
- Principles of Dynamic systems
- Principles of Geoinformatics
- Statistics in Geoinformatics
- Spatial data handling
- GIS Database design
- Automated data capture
- Applications
2.2.2. Photogrammetry & Computer Assisted Cartography field of study
This second field of study will include, in January 1997 intake, the following subjects in its syllabus:
- Digital photogrammetty
- Digital Terrain Models
- Automated Mapping
- Canographic Information Processing
- Applications
Fields of study are designed to offer combined tuition in both Technology and Applications, although permitting students to choose the balance between the 2 which most interest them.
First term and part of the second would require tuition in the required technology for the chosen Field, with specialisations (technology or applications or crossover) establishing themselves partially in the second term and significantly in the third.
After the third term of classes in their master degree study, students can select to do thesis (two terms) or research study (one term) which then require to take one more course work option.
2.3. Facilities and Equipments
To support academic courses and conduct different workshops, a Remote Sensing Laboratory and a Geographical Information System Center (GAC) are providing the following facilities and equipments:
2.3.1. Remote Sensing Laboratory
A) The Digital Analysis Laboratory
The digital Analysis Laboratory is composed of three rooms dedicated to academic
support to the Students.
- Geographic Information Systems room: 12m x 8m sized room in which 11 PC with 9 (A3 size) digitizers and 2 (topo map size) digitizers, GIS software ARC/INFO & IDRISI installed and connected to LAN system, 2 Plotters (for Master Student).
- Image Processing Room: 12m x 8m sized room in which 15 PC with 5 image display monitors, image processing software ERDAS, ENVI, EASI/PACE, ER MAPPER installed, connected to LAN system; (for Master students and Training)-
- Project Room: 12m x 8m sized with 10 PC, 1 ink-jet printer, CCT reader, 1 SUN station SPARC 10 (with 3 X-Terminals) with ARC/INFO (station version, 6.0) and ERDAS (station version, IMAGINE 8.1, ENVI, ER MAPPER, PLANETES) installed, 1 SUN Station SPARC 2, LAN server etc. (for Ph. D. students and project research).
B) The Visual Laboratory
The visual laboratory encompasses ProCom II W 208 A image interpretation and map transfer equipment, 3 ARC/INFO Station, 1 Plotter, 1 CANON Colour Laser Copier, GPSs, 15 mirrors stereoscopes, 1 Digitral aoto scaler, data archives in the form of: images and films, air photos, topographic maps, soil maps, landuse maps, slides, video tapes.....
C) The Photographic Laboratory
This laboratory encompasses a film processor for Black and White and Color
2.3.2. Geographical Information System Center (GAC)
The GAC will conduct specialized training courses/workshops in GIS Applications.
These training/workshops are designed to give in depth treatment into specific techniques of specific topics to enable resource scientists and technicians to know more of how to apply these techniques.
Others courses, related to basics of Remote Sensing, Applied Remote Sensing and Digital Image Processing of Remotely Sensed Data, which were offered under the fanner program, will be still organised according to needs and demands.
Located in a room sized 7m x 5m, the GAC is equiped with:
-
10 PCs 486
- 10 Digitizers, 10 Hardware keys. LAN server
- 10 ARC/INFO & IDRISI
- 2 Plotters
In 1996, a same number of PCs 486 (10) with the same and extra software's, and one plotter will be installed in order to conduct 3 regular international Training courses of a duration of 3-6 weeks. These training will take place in December, April and August.
At least in 1997,2 SUN stations with 15 terminals linked to LAN sever will complete the installation of the GAC.
2.4. Faculty/Staff
Faculty and Staff has been provided needed faculties coming actually from Japan, France, Thailand, United Kingdom, Philippines, Malaysia, China, Vietnam, Burma, and Nepal.
2.5. Students and Scholarships
Students waited in STAR for January will come from: Nepal, India, Pakistan, Sri- Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, People's Republic of China, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Philippines.
Scholarships for this program are offered by Japan, France and Thailand. Special agreement to obtain remote sensing data at a raisonnable price have been offered by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT). Memorandum of Understanding (M.O.U.), concerning training of the Staff, donation of Microwave data and optical data, have been signed between the STAR program and the University of Munich and RADARSAT Company of Canada. Exchanges and fructuous relations are on the way with International Space University (ISU) and the International Institute for Aerospace Survey and Earth Sciences (ITC).
