GISdevelopment.net ---> AARS ---> ACRS 1999 ---> Topics Including Education Training Program on Remote Sensing for The Asian Countries By NASDA Eiichi Muto Director, NASDA Bangkok Office Rm.1312, B.B. Bldg., 54 Asoke RD., Sukhumvit 21, Bangkok 10110 Thailand Tel: (66)-2-260-7026 Fax: (66)-2-260-7027 E-mail: nasdatha@ksc15.th.com Keywords: Training, NASDA, Remote Sensing Abstract NASDA organizes some training programs on Remote Sensing and GIS technology. Under contract with NASDA, In cooperation with AIT, RESTEC has five training courses in a year at AIT campus in Bangkok, Thailand and some other places. The Purpose of the training program is mainly to promote the continuous use of data from Japanese Earth observation satellites, such as JERS-1 and ADEOS, which will contribute to the development of this region. NASDA annually holds the Regional Seminar on Earth Observation for Tropical Eco-system Management. Senior-level officials from UNESCAP member countries participate in it. Hands-on training during it is provided to the participants from the local-host country. Introduction National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) was established 30 years ago, under the National Space Development Agency Law, to act as the nucleus for the development of space and to promote the peaceful use of space. NASDA is responsible for the following tasks, based on the Japanese Space Development Program enacted by the Prime Minister: Development of satellites (including space experiments and the space station) and launch vehicles, launching and tracking the craft. Development of methods, facilities and equipment required for the above. In order to obtain necessary knowledge and experience for conducting the above tasks in the Earth observation field, NASDA organizes some seminars and training programs in cooperation with the related organizations. These activities can contribute to the capacity-building of the Asian countries. This paper presents the outline of the training programs on remote sensing which NASDA organizes mainly for the Asian countries. Training Programs AIT Training Program on Remote Sensing Under contract with NASDA, in cooperation with Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Remote Sensing Technology Center of Japan (RESTEC) has five training courses in a year at AIT campus in Bangkok, Thailand (two weeks, 15-20 participants) and some other places (one week, 20-40 participants). The Purpose of the training program is mainly to promote the continuous use of data from Japanese Earth observation satellites, such as JERS-1 and ADEOS, which will contribute to the development of this region. The first course, Remote Sensing & Geographic Information System, was held in Nov. 13 to 24, 1995 at AIT. Caravan style training and SAR data application training was added as new options in 1997. The history of this program is as follows, 1996 The Second course, Remote Sensing & Geographic Information system (Jul. 15-31) 1997 Caravan Type (The Philippines): Remote Sensing & Geographic Information System (Jun. 23-27) Microwave Remote Sensing and Application of SAR Data (Sep. 15-26) Advanced GIS in Land Use Planning (Oct. 20-31) Advanced GIS in Watershed Management (Nov. 17-28) Caravan Type (Nepal): Remote Sensing & Geographic Information System (Dec. 5-11) 1998 Advanced GIS in Watershed Management (July 13-24) Caravan Type (Indonesia) – Remote Sensing & Geographic Information System (Aug. 19-23) Microwave Remote Sensing and Application of SAR Data (Aug. 31 – Sep. 11) Caravan Type (Vietnam) – Remote Sensing & Geographic Information System (Oct. 26 – 30) Advanced GIS in Disaster Mitigation, Floods (Nov. 30 – Dec. 11) 1999 Advanced GIS in Watershed Management (May 17 - 28) Caravan Type (Sri Lanka) – Remote Sensing & Geographic Information System (Mapping from Space) (Jun. 21 - 25) Caravan Type (Bangladesh) – Remote Sensing & Geographic Information System (Disaster Mitigation, Flood) (Jul. 20-24) Microwave Remote Sensing and Application of SAR Data (Aug. 16 - 27) Advanced GIS in Coastal Zone Monitoring and Management (Oct. 11 - 22). The objectives of these courses are as follows; To provide the trainees from Asia and Pacific with advanced GIS with a focus on the integration with Japanese satellite data such as JERS-1 OPS and ADEOS AVNIR in the operational applications. To provide application techniques of JERS-1 SAR data recognizing that SAR data are supplementary to optical data when there is cloud cover and when there is only one data source, particularly in the rainy and flood seasons. To maximize the efficiency of training by providing application techniques in remote sensing and GIS in local and/or regional aspects to encourage technical transfer. Regional Seminar on Earth Observation for Tropical Eco-system Management This seminar has been conducted by NASDA and UNESCAP since 1992 in cooperation with Earth Science and Technology Organization of Japan (ESTO) and RESTEC. The main objective of this seminar is to share our experience and knowledge on remote sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) applications for sustainable ecosystem management in the Asia-Pacific region. Participants are decision-makers, planners and technical users from Asian and Pacific region (53-125 persons, 12-22 countries). The content includes the seminar on the application of RS and GIS for tropical ecosystem management(two days), field trip survey for understanding of tropical ecosystem dynamics (one day), computer hands-on training on digital image analysis for RS and GIS (two days). This seminar has been held in seven different countries of the Asian and Pacific region: Thailand in 1992, Malaysia in 1993, Indonesia in 1994, Philippines in 1995, Fiji in 1996, Vietnam in 1997 and Bangladesh in 1998. The eighth Regional Seminar on Earth Observation for Tropical Eco-system Management is scheduled to take place at Yangon, Myanmar from 25 to 29 October 1999. JICA’s Training Course on Remote Sensing Technology This Training Course has been conducted by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) since 1977 at Japan in cooperation with RESTEC. The curriculum includes lectures on several aspects of remote sensing, practice of data processing and analysis, using digital image analysis systems, and facility tours. There are two kind of courses. One is Fundamental course, another is Advanced course. Fundamental Course The purpose of this course is to transfer fundamental knowledge and technology on satellite remote sensing, mainly focused on digital analysis to researchers and engineers from developing countries. The duration is 2 months. Participants are 8-13 persons. Advanced Course The purpose of this course is to introduce application technologies and advanced digital processing technologies covering remote sensing data. The duration is 1 month. Participants are 5-7 persons. Conclusion In cooperation with the related organizations, NASDA has successfully organized several seminars and training programs and produced meaningful fruits to develop capabilities in this region. NASDA will continue this kind of effort.