Conference Proceedings: Strategy Report of CEOS

Introduction
CEOS at the 13th Plenary meeting (during November 10-12, 1999 held at Stockholm) established an ad-hoc Working Group on EO Education and Training (WGEdu) to address the issue of EO Education and Training and to arrive at a Strategy for CEOS to consider. The Plenary requested ISRO to provide lead to this activity. Terms of Reference for the WGEdu are at Annexure-I.

Background

Earth observation technology and its applications are rapidly changing with the emergence of newer technology solutions to handle the variety of data sets available from satellites. The emergence of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is opening up new vistas for merging satellite images with other spatial data. The position information available from Global Positioning Systems (GPS), when merged with the satellite images and GIS databases, provides unique opportunities for very precise locale level solutions for development. With the advent of these technologies and solutions, nations of the world, especially developing countries, can benefit by adopting them for addressing the problems of their developmental process.
Education holds the key to future space technology development and its applications. Space education needs to become an essential element in this competitive world. Several countries have recognized the lack of specialists to implement space programmes. In many countries there is a critical shortage of space scientists, technologists and engineers to embark upon comprehensive national space programmes. Establishing a wide network of education and a sustained human resources development is the imperative to build capacities with far reaching impacts on the space utilisation.
Efforts are being made by nations to enhance their national capabilities in EO education through organisation of various workshops, Conferences, short-term training programmes. At the same time inter-governmental agencies (like FAO, ESCAP, UN-OOSA, WMO and many others) have also initiated active programmes in education and training in EO. Apart from this, specific programmes for graduate students and young professionals are available through European Association for the International Space Year (EURISY); the International Space University; the Asian Institute of Technology and a number of regional institutions in different countries.
Resulting from UNISPACE-II and UN General Assembly resolutions, UN has established Regional Centres for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia Pacific (India), Africa for French language and English language countries in (Morocco and Nigeria), Latin America and Caribbean (Brazil and Mexico) and is proposed to be established in Eastern Europe (place to be decided by UN). These Centres provide opportunities for developing country scholars to undertake Post Graduate courses in Remote Sensing and GIS, apart from courses in Satellite communications, Satellite Meteorology and Space Sciences. The Centres also undertake short duration training programmes for professionals.
In the UNISPACE-III and ESCAP Ministerial Conference on Space Technology for Sustainable Development, education and training have received considerable attention and importance. UNISPACE-III has recognized the importance of education for capacity building and has resolved in the VIENNA DECLARATION:

"To enhance capacity-building through the development of human and budgetary resources, the training and professional development of teachers, of teaching methods, materials and experience and the development of infrastructure and policy regulations"
The Delhi Declaration of ESCAP's Ministerial Conference has also resolved to undertake a programme on human resources development:

"Human resources development through Seminars/workshops and short-term as well as long-term fellowships; Technical cooperation among developing countries to promote the exchange of scientists between countries to develop and operate educational and training facilities at the national level and Networking of regional educational and training institutes"

Role of CEOS WGEdu

WGEdu is developing a plan of action for CEOS to take a proactive role and provide a focus on the activities of EO Education and Training. The CEOS WGEdu has adopted the following steps for arriving at a plan of action:
Assess the EO Education needs in developing countries by networking with agencies involved in education and training, specially the UN Regional Centres for Space Science and Technology Education;
Assess technology trends in EO and recommend the topics of relevance for education and training - which can then be incorporated in the curriculum;
Recommend a Plan of Action for CEOS participation in EO education activities and also how CEOS agencies can coordinate effective programmes at national level;
Focus CEOS Agencies and WGs role/services for furthering capacity-building activities and contributing to the EO Education efforts.

Members of CEOS WGEdu

CEOS Members and Associates find natural membership in CEOS WGEdu. Till date many CEOS agencies have already nominated their representatives to CEOS WGEdu and others have provided support and encouragement through its Contacts. It is hoped that in the year 2001 the WG will have representatives of all CEOS agencies.
The WGEdu also felt essential to interact with a number of international institutions involved in EO Education and Training and has them on its roll as "Invitees". This was felt crucial so as to be able to assess the needs of these institutions and also to draw from their experience.

The list of nominated members to CEOS WGEdu is as given in Annexure-II