Centre For Space Science And Technology Education In Asia And The Pacific (Csste-Ap)- A Regional Initiative

Institutions | Training | Online Education | Papers / Articles

Centre For Space Science And Technology Education In Asia And The Pacific (CSSTE-AP)- A Regional Initiative

B.L Deekshatulu and Yogesh Kant
CSSTE-AP, IIRS Campus, Dehradun
Tel: 0135-740737, 740787
Email: cssteap@del2.vsnl.net.in

1. Introduction
There has been growing consensus over the importance of space technology applications such as remote sensing, communications, meteorology for providing information for natural resource accounting, environmental management, disaster monitoring and mitigation, land use mapping and for sustainable development planning. Satellite communication, which is the essence and essential social fabric, has been the prime catalyst for civilisation. Satellite communication services are the need of the hour bringing together rural and remote areas. For greater and wider application of space technology, cooperation between the countries and also within the region, linking people with technology that goes beyond borders and technical boundaries, is envisaged. The aspirations could be achieved by making space technology and appropriate technology available for capacity building and for direct social needs. Many regions particularly Asia-Pacific region inspite of its richness in terms of enormous resources is being influenced by human and other activities. The parameters that deplete and cause imbalance in the natural resources are characterized by:

Dense population, rural life and economic deprivation, illiteracy
Extensive dependence on natural process for food security
Widespread occurrence of natural disasters and need for hazard mitigation, search and rehabilitation
Lack of modern infrastructure.

An essential pre-requisite to partaking in these opportunities is the building of infrastructure and indigenous capabilities for the development and utilization of space science & technology. In recognition of such a pre-requisite has emerged within the international community, that if effective assimilation and appropriate application of space technology are to succeed in the developing countries, devoted efforts must be made at the local level, for the development of necessary high level knowledge and expertise in space technology fields. Towards this end, the United Nations General Assembly Resolution (45/72 of December 11, 1990) endorsing the recommendations of UNISPACE-82 the United Nations office for Outer Space Affairs (UN-OOSA) prepared a project document (A/AC.105/534) envisaging the establishment of Centres for Space Science & Technology Education in the developing countries. The objective of the centres is to enhance the capabilities of the member states in different areas of space science & technology that can advance their social & economic development. The first of such centres, named as Centre for Space Science & Technology Education in Asia & the Pacific (CSSTE-AP) was established in India in November 1, 1995. The centre Headquarters is located at Dehradun and its programmes are executed at Department of Space facilities at Ahmedabad besides Dehradun. Government of India has made available appropriate facilities and expertise to the centre through the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), Space Applications Centre (SAC) and Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), besides major financial support.

Similar regional centres for Space Science & Technology Education have been identified in the developing world. They are Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Western Asia & Eastern Europe.

2. Location
The centre's Headquarter is located in the campus of Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), Dehradun. Centre also sustains from the facilities of Space Applications Centre (SAC) and Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) both located at Ahmedabad. Besides, the centre enjoys the support of various facilities of Department of Space.

3. Goals Of The Centre
Emphasis should be given on the development of indigenous capability in the developing countries to design & implement education, research and application programmes in the area of Remote Sensing & GIS (RS & GIS), Satellite Communication (SATCOM), Satellite Meteorology (SATMET) and Space & Atmospheric Science.

The objectives could be achieved by the development of skills and knowledge of university educators and researchers and application scientists through rigorous theory, applications, field exercises and pilot projects in those aspects of Space Science & Technology that can enhance social & economic development in each country (see Fig. 1).

Page 1 of 3
Next