ISRO Launches Space-National Academic Partner Programme To Collaborate With Institutes Interested In Space Technology

India’s premier space agency Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Thursday (14 March 2019) launched a national programme to promote synergies between itself and institutes interested in developing space technology to meet the developmental needs of the country.

Noting that there are academic institutes in the country which have developed considerable expertise in certain fields, ISRO will provide such teams of researchers an opportunity to work with ISRO scientists and engineers under the “Space-National Academic Partner” programme.

“This collaborative working will enable the institute to access ISRO facilities and ISRO scientists/ engineers use institute facilities. The partner Institute will be involved along with ISRO, in decision making regarding the adoption of new technologies/applications,” said ISRO in a statement.

Isro has identified 20 areas of research for which it will choose institutes based on their proposals and performance and any Indian academic institute which has considerable expertise in any of the themes can apply.

“The chosen Space-National Academic Partner (S-NAP) in a field will be a think tank along with ISRO scientists and engineers in furthering space research and solving outstanding issues in that field,” ISRO added.

Aimed At Young Scientists

Recently ISRO also launched the Young Scientist Programme aimed at acquainting school students with space technology. The first edition of the programme will begin this year (2019).

The programme is primarily aimed at imparting basic knowledge on space technology, space science and space applications to the younger ones with the intent of arousing their interest in the emerging areas of space activities.

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