Space technology: SUPARCO celebrates World Space Week

WSW includes seminars on role of space technology in disaster preparedness and precautions, competitions and quizzes.

PESHAWAR:

World Space Week (WSW) 2012 commenced at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar in joint collaboration with the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) on Thursday.

The event aims to create awareness among students, youth, the public in general and decision makers about the benefits of space technologies to humanity. WSW includes seminars on the role of space technology in disaster preparedness and precautions, model making competitions and quizzes, among other activities.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s additional secretary for higher education, Dr Khalid Khan, assured the audience of the higher education department’s support to promote space technology at universities and institutions. He appreciated UET’s efforts for organising the event for the last three consecutive years in conjunction with Suparco.

Vice-Chancellor Imtiaz Husain Gilani said the UET is willing to design windmills as faculty members at the Center of Excellence in Energy have the expertise to work with Suparco.

Pakistan is committed to the peaceful uses of outer space, said a member of Suparco, Ayaz Amir. He added that the present government is appreciative of Suparco’s contributions in the field of agriculture, satellite communication, water resource management and disaster mitigation to mention a few. The government also supports Space Vision 2040, which will help Pakistan achieve self reliance in space technology and its applications.

Suparco has organised WSW activities in Pakistan since 2005 and is celebrating it in 10 cities across the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 5^th, 2012.