Andhra Govt wants universities to benefit from ISRO expertise

Andhra Pradesh Government wants state-run universities to utilise data and technology available with ISRO in remote sensing, navigation and space exploration in their research and project works.
The Government would form a joint committee with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to examine ways in which state-run universities could utilise data and technology available with the Bengaluru-based agency in areas like remote sensing, navigation and space exploration, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said today.
He was addressing a meeting of scientists and officials from ISRO and Vice-Chancellors of state-run universities here in the Andhra University (AU).
During the meet, ISRO and State Government officials reached at a preliminary understanding on collaboration and agreed to turn it into a formal MoU at a later stage.

Later, Naidu participated in the valedictory function of the ISRO's Space Week celebrations at the Dr Y V S Murthy Auditorium at the AU.
Speaking on the occasion, he said the Government would set up Innovation Chapters at each university to encourage space research and explorations for benefit of the common man.

"Space science has become more relevant these days given its array of benefits in surface water monitoring, identifying potential fishing zones in the sea, natural disaster prediction and identifying environmental changes."
"With the help of ISRO's transponders, we could run digital classes even in remote places," the CM said.

Earlier, he inaugurated a cyber security and analytic centre at the AU and interacted with space scientists.
ISRO Chairman A S Kiran Kumar explained about Space Week and its origin from the first artificial satellite Sputnik's launch in 1957.
He highlighted the benefits of using space technology.
"Space technology had been generating more revenues for fishermen. Space tourism, exploration and interplanetary tourism have great prospects in the future. India was the first country to establish evidence of water molecules on the lunar surface from its Chandrayaan.