PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Second African Space Generation workshop opens in Mauritius
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - The Second African Space Generation Workshop opened on Monday at the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre in Bell Village, near the capital, Port-Louis, in the presence of some 80 delegates from across Africa.
In her address, the Mauritian Minister of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun highlighted that space technology has come up with new ways of addressing challenges and has made a huge impact on mankind, economic and social life.
The Minister underlined that people need to get rid of the prevailing misconception about developed countries being the only ones to access space technology, rockets and satellite.
She pointed out that the African continent has enormous potentials for developing innovative solutions to drive business and further development which is clearly demonstrated by the increasing interest of the African region in space tech and science.
"Mauritius as a Small Island Developing State, is harnessing its expertise in space technology so as to encourage developmental progress for social change, economic development, resource conservation and disaster management," she emphasised, underpinning the contributions of the youth in emerging technologies such as space technology, artificial intelligence, the blockchain and the Internet of Things.
The Mauritian Minister of Technology, Communication and Innovation, Mr Yogida Sawmynaden, pointed out that space technology serves as appropriate tools in assisting evidence-based policy-making and have a positive influence on sustainable development goals.
"Mauritius is investing in space and astronomy so as to leap forward technologically and create a better future for its citizens and is extending its support in one of the biggest scientific endeavours, namely the Square Kilometre Array (SKA)," he said.
The Minister also spoke of the MIR-SAT1, the first Mauritian Nanosatellite, which is expected to provide better monitoring and decision-making as regards land-based and maritime activities.
According to him, satellite technology could provide Mauritius with a transformational science and re-define our understanding of space related phenomena.
The two-day workshop on the theme, “Launching Africa: Space Exploration, Innovation and Business” is an initiative of the Space Generation Advisory Council and the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre.
Its objectives are to enhance capacity building, foster innovation and urging discussions on regional space and scientific issues that are targeted to support future regional and global space policy initiatives.
-0- PANA NA/MA 18Dec2018
In her address, the Mauritian Minister of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun highlighted that space technology has come up with new ways of addressing challenges and has made a huge impact on mankind, economic and social life.
The Minister underlined that people need to get rid of the prevailing misconception about developed countries being the only ones to access space technology, rockets and satellite.
She pointed out that the African continent has enormous potentials for developing innovative solutions to drive business and further development which is clearly demonstrated by the increasing interest of the African region in space tech and science.
"Mauritius as a Small Island Developing State, is harnessing its expertise in space technology so as to encourage developmental progress for social change, economic development, resource conservation and disaster management," she emphasised, underpinning the contributions of the youth in emerging technologies such as space technology, artificial intelligence, the blockchain and the Internet of Things.
The Mauritian Minister of Technology, Communication and Innovation, Mr Yogida Sawmynaden, pointed out that space technology serves as appropriate tools in assisting evidence-based policy-making and have a positive influence on sustainable development goals.
"Mauritius is investing in space and astronomy so as to leap forward technologically and create a better future for its citizens and is extending its support in one of the biggest scientific endeavours, namely the Square Kilometre Array (SKA)," he said.
The Minister also spoke of the MIR-SAT1, the first Mauritian Nanosatellite, which is expected to provide better monitoring and decision-making as regards land-based and maritime activities.
According to him, satellite technology could provide Mauritius with a transformational science and re-define our understanding of space related phenomena.
The two-day workshop on the theme, “Launching Africa: Space Exploration, Innovation and Business” is an initiative of the Space Generation Advisory Council and the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre.
Its objectives are to enhance capacity building, foster innovation and urging discussions on regional space and scientific issues that are targeted to support future regional and global space policy initiatives.
-0- PANA NA/MA 18Dec2018
