KARACHI, Jan 22: A six-day international workshop on “Satellite-Imaging Technology and Applications” began here on Wednesday aimed at providing an opportunity to the participants to share their experiences in the field of space research- oriented activities.
Delegates from Bangladesh, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia and Uzbekistan are attending the programme, which has been organized by the Inter-Islamic Network on Space Science and Technology, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), the OIC standing committees on Scientific and Technological Cooperation and the Islamic Development Bank.
Speaking at the inaugural session, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad said that during the last few decades satellite-imaging technology had firmly established its unique capability to provide a synoptic view of the world.
“It has also rendered a vast potential for applications in meteorology, disaster-forecasting, earth resources and environment monitoring.
“The rapid advancements in this technology have established the ever-growing possibilities for scientists, engineers and planners concerned with surveying, monitoring and studying earth resources and environment,” he remarked.
He stressed that its role in economic development of a country could hardly be overemphasised. However, the developing nations, especially the Islamic countries, have been, in many cases, passive on-lookers to the continuing advancements in space technology in the industrialized and developed nations.
“The emerging scenario warrants that the ummah should pool its resources, expertise, facilities and ideas to accomplish something substantial in the domain of space for common good of the Islamic world.
“Viewed against this background, the endeavours made and activities being carried out under the Inter-Islamic Network on Space Sciences and Technology, in fact, are a manifestation of the increasing realization in the ummah to accomplish collective capability and self-reliance in major areas of science and technology,” he added.
Dr Ibad said that the government was committed to the cause of peace in the world, being a constant advocate of the principle that the outer space should be used for the peaceful purpose and for the good of mankind.
Praising the endeavours of Suparco, he said that it had been performing an admirable job in fulfilling the goals and objectives of our peaceful and comprehensive space programme, both at national and international levels.
He hoped that the organization would contribute more significantly and with meaningful approach to the development efforts by sharing knowledge and experience with the Muslim countries.
Chairman Suparco Maj-Gen Raza Hussain, who is also the President of the ISNET, said that satellite imaging applications could influence numerous important areas of Pakistan, including communications, mass education, agriculture, mineral research, environmental protection and urban planning.
With a population of over 150 million, water shortages and a steadily decreasing per capita available arable land, Pakistan has a dire need to maximize productivity of its available natural resources, he observed.
He said that keeping in view the national requirements, the major research mission of Suparco was to develop, test and move into the operational component of satellite imaging technology, utilizing it for applications in a wide filed of activities of national importance.
“Space-based technologies such as GIS, GPS, remote-sensing and monitoring are undoubtedly indispensable for the brisk development of the country”.
Referring to the accomplishments of Suparco, he said the agency was engaged in a broad-based multidisciplinary space science and application programmes aimed at enhancing indigenous capabilities in various fields of space science and technology.
“Besides, it has been involved in extensive interaction with national and international agencies, especially in the context of various research and applications activities”.
He informed the audience that ISNET was endeavouring to bridge the technological disparity among the Muslim nations through exchange of information, sharing experiences, maintaining and developing databanks, collaborating in the areas of common interest to build national capabilities.
Dr M. Ishaq Mirza said that there could be no better ways than to learn from the experience of the countries having similar socio-economic problems and who have already invested time and money in this new technology.—PPI
