Human Resources Development Plan
For Remote Sensing in Malaysia
3.0 Human resources development plan at national level
The main objective of the training plan for the user agencies is to strengthen human resources capabilities in operational remote sensing applications in Malaysia. This capacity building programme aims to train enough user agency people to produce a critical mass as a group of scientists and engineers to support national self-reliance objectives in this area as well as contribute to the sustainability for the whole remote sensing programme in Malaysia.
This training programme aims also to introduce new remote sensing technologies and applications to potential new user groups in Malaysia. In doing so, it is expected that it will contribute significantly to increase awareness of remote sensing applications, to develop the market for remote sensing data, and to extend the use of remote sensing data for natural resources and environmental management, and for strategic planning in Malaysia.
3.1 Scope of Studies and Courses
Due to common training objectives for scientists and engineers involved with remote sensing application activities in Malaysia, the types of training envisaged for the user agencies are very similar to those currently implemented at MACRES for the Application and Image Processing division. They can be regrouped in three main categories:
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long-term courses for graduate studies,
- mid-term courses for basic training in remote sensing (2 month duration ),
- and short-term courses for specialized worships (1-2 week duration).
Graduate studies conducted in Malaysia and abroad are to strengthen R&D activities on the applications of remote sensing within user agencies. The basic degree to achieve for the candidates is at Master level. The primary fields of study relevant for graduate studies in remote sensing applications and related technologies are found in university faculties or department in resources and environmental studies, earth sciences and surveying. More specifically, the topics of interest cover the following disciplines: geomatics (mostly for remote sensing, Geographic Information System, GPS and cartography), forestry, agriculture, water resources, geology, oceans and fisheries, coastal zone management, land use/cover mapping environmental monitoring and management, and rural, urban and infrastructure development.
A series of course dealing with specific application and basic remote sensing topics has been identified for mid-and short-term studies. These courses aim to support the use of remote sensing technology in the current operations of user agencies The short-term courses are associated with specific events such as conferences, workshops and short-courses conducted in Malaysia. The mid-term courses concern specific basic training activities dedicated to the user agency training programme itself. These courses are organized by MACRES together with local universities.
3.2 Participating Agencies and Candidates
The National Remote Sensing Programme defines the core group of user agencies to benefit of this national level training programme (approximately thirty in total). An average number of two candidates for each agency has been identified to participate to the graduate study programme.
Series of four yearly basic training courses are planned to be organized during the Seventh Plan period ( with approximately twenty user agency participants likely attending each of these courses). Similarly, a serious a four workshops a year I currently planned during the same period. The workshops are to offer specialized training on various remote sensing application topics of interest to user agencies. Courses and workshops organized in 1997 by MACRES covered topics such as "Microwave Remote Sensing for Terrain Modelling Application ", " Introduction of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and its Applications in Forestry ", "Basic Remote Sensing", and "AIRSAR Pacific Rim" (organized with NASA).
In summary, it is expected that for the whole Seventh Plan period, the user agency training programme will offer the following studies and courses:
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a total of 60 graduate studies to be undertaken both in Malaysia and abroad,
- a series of four basic courses in remote sensing for a total of 80 participants,
- and a series of 16 workshops in specialist remote sensing applications for a total of 320 participants.
4.0 Conclusion
The government of Malaysia has embarked in a major development for a new era of its remote sensing programme. Associated with major infrastructure development, a comprehensive HRD plan is now implemented to support MACRES and its key user agencies. It is believed thast this strategy will contribute significantly to the end-to-end operationalization of remote sensing activities in the country. In addition, it is believed that this National Training initiatative will also encourage and facilitate interdepartmental cooperation in different application development areas.
