HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Aug 8: The University of Science and Technology
Meghalaya (USTM) concluded a triumphant three-week journey
with ISRO’s esteemed START programme.
ISRO, India’s premier space agency designated USTM as a
pivotal Nodal Centre for their groundbreaking “Space Science
and Technology Awareness Training” programme, popularly
known as START. This introductory initiative showcased the
collaborative efforts of India’s eminent academics and
scientists, who delivered comprehensive insights into space
science and technology, with a special emphasis on ISRO’s
latest pioneering missions.
The concluding session commenced with a compelling address
by Dr R P Singh, director of the Indian Institute of Remote
Sensing (IIRS), a constituent of ISRO. Dr Singh expressed
profound gratitude to ISRO for orchestrating a resounding
success and underscored the significance of knowledge
exchange among students hailing from diverse corners of the
nation. He advocated prototype development as a means of
fostering engagement for ISRO’s upcoming space odysseys.
Dr T P Das, Director of the Scientific Programme Office at ISRO
headquarters, embraced this proposal with enthusiasm and
confirmed plans for an advanced iteration of the programme.
In this context, Dr Nitu Borgohain, coordinator of ISRO’s START
Nodal Centre at USTM, stated that during the feedback session,
he highlighted the need for an offline programme dedicated to
small or mini satellite development for ISRO. He also proposed
linking the programme to the MOOCs platform, offering
students an opportunity to earn valuable credits. The session’s
closure was marked by heartfelt gratitude extended by Dr K
Praveen Kumar from ISRO Headquarters to all participants.
The all-encompassing START programme delved into diverse
domains of space science, including Astronomy & Astrophysics,
Heliophysics & Sun-Earth Interaction, Instrumentation, and
Aeronomy. This intellectually enriching experience was
orchestrated by experts from esteemed Indian academia and
various ISRO centers.
USTM stands as the sole centre in the northeastern region
chosen by ISRO to conduct the START programme, which
facilitated the vibrant involvement of postgraduate and final-
year undergraduate students in pioneering space science and
technology research. Enthusiastic students from the region
eagerly participated in this free-of-cost, three-week digital
programme following their online registration, a PR stated.
