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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
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.
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).
4. Functioning Of The Organisation
The principal policy making organ of the centre is the Governing Board (GB) that has 14 representatives from each participating country besides the UN-OOSA. The responsibilities of GB is to approximate its long range plans, annual programmes and budgets submitted. The executive functions are exercised by the Director of the centre. Also an Advisory Committee (AC), under the Governing Board, is composed of prominent individuals, government, private industry and the academic and scientific communities. The function of AC is to provide guidance to the centre on its technical programmes. At present there are 13 members in the AC. The centre is affiliated to the United Nations.
5. Education Programme
All the educational programmes are conducted in English requiring the participants to have proficiency in the language. The candidates aspiring to have admission must have a Master's degree in Science or Bachelor's degree in Engineering in relevant discipline. The courses are taught with the use of modern teaching methods like multimedia and the participants are taken around various national facilities on study tour.
Educational Programme Institutional Facility
Post Graduate progamme in RS & GIS (1st phase of 9 months at the centre by 2nd phase of 1 year in the home country) Course starts in October every year. Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Dehradun.
Post Graduate programme in Satellite Communication (1st phase of 9 months at the centre followed by 2nd phase of 1 year in the home country)Course starts in July every alternate year Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad
Post Graduate programme in Satellite Methodology & Global climate (1st phase of 9 months at the centre followed by 2nd phase of 1 year in the home country)Course starts in July every alternate year Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad
Post Graduate programme in Space & Atmospheric Sciences (1st phase of 9 months at the centre followed by 2nd phase of 1 year in the home country)Course starts in July every alternate year Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad
Short term workshops and awareness programmes in the above disciplines Above institutions
In all the above PG programmes, completion of the first phase leads to the award of PG diploma/ certificate from the centre and satisfactory completion of both phases leads to the award of Master's degree by Andhra University, India to the eligible candidates. Since its inception, about 258 participants (144 from long courses and 114 from short courses/ workshops) from 39 countries have been benefited so far in different disciplines. A detailed list is shown in Fig. 2.
6. Course Structure
In every Post Graduate programme first module covers the principle and fundamental concepts, Second module covers application of the technology, advance concepts and measurement techniques. Third module is devoted for pilot project. The curriculum structure and emphasis given in various disciplines is shown in Fig. 3.
Some of the typical pilot projects carried out by various students over the years in various disciplines are summarized in Fig. 4, 5, 6 & 7.
Following is the number of awardees in each discipline of M.Tech degree by the Andhra University.
RS & GIS - 8 participants have been awarded and 2 cases are under progress
SATCOM - 6 participants have been awarded
SATMET -
SPACE SCIENCES -
7. Courses Evaluation
Director of the centre, course director and Director/Dean of the ISRO/.DOS centre take regular meetings at least once a month to find out technical and non-technical points/problems. Performance of participants is evaluated through written, oral, home assignments, computer assisted interactive methods etc. at periodic intervals during each module. During the sessions (modules) a 3 hour examination is concluded in each subject. Viva voce is conducted to evaluate the practical understanding of the subject. Pilot project is assessed by a committee of experts specially setup to address the subject matter of each candidate. At the end of the course, feedback on a 5 point grade is taken for each participants. After completion of the course, an evaluation report is made by the course director.
The following grading system is followed
Passed with distinction (Grade A+) > 75 % marks
Passed in First class (Grade A) 60 - 75 % marks
Passed (Grade B+) 50 - 60 % marks
Project report Recommended / non-recommended
The centre also improves regularly in terms of education standards, course curriculum and other related facilities provided to the participants to this effect the suggestions and feedback by the participants are also given utmost importance.
Centre also asks for feedback from alumni, after the completion of the course, as to how the participants are using their knowledge grained at the centre in the home country/organization. This gives us more confidence in fulfilling the objectives of the regional centre.
8. Publications
The centre also publishes a number of publications pertaining to the achievements, about the ongoing & future courses. The publications are in the form of NewsLetter (quarterly issue), new announcement brochures, General information brochure, memoirs marking the end of each course and souvenirs.
So far 12 issues of NewsLetter have been released. Recent one of December, 2000 has been released. In general, newsletter are portaying a lead article, progress of students, centre's activities, announcement and opinion.
9. International Linkages
14 countries of the Asia-Pacific region have signed agreement with the centre besides the UN-OOSA, thus establishing International cooperation and support to the centre. In the true spirit of international co-operation that underlines the very formation of CSSTE-AP, the centre entered into MOU with four institutions in Europe namely ISU, GDTA, TWAS & ICS-UNIDO in a bid to further its objectives of capacity development in Asia-Pacific region. The principle of these linkages is to benefit from and channelise the established facilities premier centres of the world (see Fig. 8).
Besides, the centre receives sponsorship from many international organizations and obtains faculty support from institutions world wide.
10. Impact Of The Courses To Society
Most of the problems faced by the Asia Pacific countries such as floods, storms, forest fire, land degradation, erosion, lack of proper education, stress on agricultural productivity etc. are addressed in the 9 month courses and practical examples are demonstrated on these. Thus the students get a total exposure to the problems and the need of the AP region while also building within themselves a scientific and technical capacity to address these.
Thus the CSSTE-AP has been able to channelise the UN goal of building self reliance and a capacity in space science and technology towards mitigating the problems of the region and managing resources judiciously. Besides, the centre has also become a role model for other regional centres in the world that are in their formative stages.
11. Future Plans
Future plans for the centre include
- Collaborative projects on research and applications
- Data bank creation
- Virtual training
Education and capacity building is fundamental to any organization/country. Space science and Technology has applications in a spectrum of activities of day to day life. CSSTE-AP is fulfilling this need of comprehensive capacity building and enriching nations in this front-line technology leading to self reliance and regional growth.
Figure captions
Fig. 1 Rationale of the educational programmes.
Fig. 2 Summary of the beneficiaries from the CSSTE-AP
Fig. 3 Curriculum structure and emphasis given in various disciplines.
Fig. 4 Pilot projects carried out in RS&GIS
Fig. 5 Pilot projects carried out in Satellite Communications
Fig. 6 Pilot projects carried out in Satellite Meteorology and Global Climate
Fig. 7 Pilot projects carried out in Space and Atmospheric science.
Fig. 8 International recognition of CSSTE-AP