GCU and SUPARCO Partner to Promote Satellite Technology in Pakistan

The signing of an accord by Government College University (GCU) and Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) last Monday has given those excited about satellite technology something to cheer about.

SUPARCO and GCU encourage the very idea of satellite technology and invite university graduates to participate in the development of this technology for Pakistan National Student Satellite (PNSS). The accord details a total of seven points that involve matters such as collaboration between SUPARCO and GCU for the development of PNSS’s battery unit, power distribution and control unit as well as solar panel unit. The commission would be responsible for facilitating the project, financially and technically.

Projects that deal with satellite technology will get significant funding under the collaboration agreeement

Chairman SUPARCO Major General (retired) Ahmed Bilal expressed his willingness to offer tutoring seesions so that university students feel more comfortable pursuing the project. He also mentioned that he is hopeful that the students at GCU would really provide impetus to this initiative. He remains realistic in his hopes, though. The Chairman mentioned that Pakistan still has to strive hard for about another decade to catch up with other developing countries who have already ventured into space. Once that comes to pass, he forsees universities playing the part of ‘incubators’ for such innovations.

Furthermore, Chairman SUPARCO expects the scientists at the GCU to work on projects which require zero gravity state. He assures that innovative projects such as these would receive a significant amount of funding. SUPARCO has set plans of collaborating GCU with Malaysian and Chinese universities in departments such as computer sciences, engineering, chemistry and geography. Do note that these universities also took part in research projects related to space science.

Pakistan is far behind other nations in space technology so the move has been received positively

Vice Chancellor Professor Rahman highlighted the list of projects that have previously materialised courtesy of the hard work by GCU students as well as other faculty members. While briefing Chairman SUPARCO, Professor Rahman took pride in stating that the Chemistry department at GCU earned over seven US patents in the years gone by. He went on to announce the formation of Astronomy Society which would encourage more students to pursue space sciences. SUPARCO is set to provide GCU with the necessary equipment as part of their technical assistance.