Students of 90 colleges, schools taking part in World Space Week

Islamabad
The Institute of Space Technology (IST) launched a three-day activity-based programme to celebrate World Space Week at its Islamabad Campus from October 7 to 9 with a view to generate space awareness among public and students from a large number of schools and colleges of the twin cities and their surrounding areas.
The World Space Week began with an impressively elegant opening ceremony here on Wednesday. Pakistan Council for Science and Technology (PCST) Chairman Professor Dr. Anwar-ul-Hassan Gilani graced the occasion as chief guest. Dr. Najam Abbas, deputy director of the Institute of Space Technology, welcomed the participants and briefed the audience on the significance and scope of World Space Week 2015. IST Registrar Ishaat Saboor was also present on the occasion.
World Space Week (WSW) is celebrated in accordance with the United Nations General Assembly's declaration of 1999. The Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE-III) suggested the celebration of the World Space Week. Pakistan is endeavouring to enter into the realm of space science & technology and related applications. The success of any space programme relies greatly on public understanding and support. It is, therefore, important to communicate the benefits of space technology to public on regular basis.
The theme of WSW for the year 2015 is 'Discovery'. World Space Week 2015 highlights the great era of deep space discovery that we are in. We have never learnt as much of the universe we live in as in the last decade. Space telescopes, deep space probes and several interplanetary satellites and landers have shown us the magic, wonders and opportunities of new worlds. Exoplanets, galaxies far away and close by and landings on planets, moons, asteroids and comets teach us about where we humans have come from and where we will go in the future. Space is all about discovery.
About 90 schools and colleges are participating in the World Space Week 2015.
The first day of the WSW 2015 witnessed over 1,500 student participants and visitors who enthusiastically participated in 60 different completions and keenly observed the exhibits and displayed models. The event will continue till October 9, culminating many inspiring space oriented events.
The activities of the first day included Space Week Launching Ceremony, Space March, Space in Quran, Space Declamation, Colonizing Space, Space Bilingual Essay Writing, Space Bilingual Story Writing, Space Event Journalism, Space Slogans, Space Spellathon, Space Painting, Space Sketching, Space Calligraphy, Space Wall Graffiti, Space Cartoon, Space Model Making On Spot, Space Masks, Aero Modeling, Paper Plane, Space Models, e-Poster Designing, Space Stamps Designing, Space Gaming, Space Photography, Space Philately, Space Mathometer, Space: Games of Thrones, Space Cinema, Space Simulations, Solar Observations, Space Biblio Corner, Space Caravan, Space Career Station, UAV Lab Visit, IST Satellite: iCUBE-1 Lab Tour, Paksat-1R Pavilion, Remote Sensing and GIS Junction, GNSS Rendezvous, Exploring Astrolabe, Telescopy, Mushaq Plane Demonstration, Space Memorabilia, Food Courts & Kids Arena, Space Studio, Space Sibling.