Chennai, Aug 21 (Representative) The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Tuesday signed a MoU to promote higher education in Space Industry and to advance space education in India. It was signed in New Delhi to mark the first anniversary of National Space Day (NSD) to be celebrated on August 23 the day when Chandryaaan-3’s successful landing on the lunar surface.To mark the NSD AICTE, in collaboration with ISRO, the Indian Space Association (ISpA), andIN-SPACe, organized a one-day program titled “Creating a Space Ecosystem: A New Era—Igniting Young Minds for Space Exploration” , where the pact was signed. The event featured the launch of the AICTE Model Curriculum for Space Technology and therelease of a book titled ‘Introduction to Finite Element Analysis’, co-authored by ISRO Chairman Dr. S. Somanath and Dr. S. Unnikrishnan Nair, who is the head of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram.
An MoU was also exchanged between AICTE and ISpA to further promote higher education in the space industry, a release from ISpA said. The program featured a motivational talk and a panel discussion on “Academic Ecosystems to Support Space Education,” highlighting the vital role of space technology in modern society. While launching the book and Model Curriculum, Dr. S. Somanath highlighted the importance of space technology. He said, “By equipping our students with the necessary knowledge and skills, we are paving the way for our nation to further establish itself as a global leader in space technology. Space technology is not something that can be bought; it requires developing knowledge and skills within our system and institutions. The investment we have made in our space program has profoundly benefited society in terms of economy, job creation, disaster management, and natural resource management.”
This Model Space Curriculum will be crucial in producing the next generation of space scientists, engineers, and leaders who will carry forward ISRO’s legacy of excellence.” He also congratulatedeveryone on the first anniversary of Chandrayaan-3’s successful lunar landing, he added. AICTE Chairman Prof. T.G. Sitharam said the Chandrayaan-3 was a historic moment for India.He said, “By celebrating August 23 as National Space Day, India not only honors its achievementsin space, but also reinforces its position as a leader in global space exploration. The celebration of this day aims to foster a deeper interest in space sciences among the public, especially the youth, and to highlight the pivotal role of space technology in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges.” Herve Delphin, Ambassador of the European Union called for a healthy competition and cooperation between countries to conquer space and develop new technologies for the benefit of mankind. This event marks a significant milestone in India’s journey toward becoming a global leader in space technology, inspiring the next generation to explore the final frontier.