Space technology role highlighted

LAHORE
Eminent scientists and geologists while addressing a workshop on “Remote Sensing” on Tuesday described the space technology as the future observing its applications that had become highly crucial even in social sciences.
The two-day workshop organised by Government College University (GCU), Geography Department and Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), is aimed at edifying the skills of the participants in modern modelling, data acquisition and management techniques through remote sensing.
GCU Geography Department Incharge Dr Ali Iqtidar Mirza, in his opening remarks, said now social and economic development was even based on the communication of data with accurate frequency.
He said the space technology was being used for continuous monitoring of main crops, their yield and production. Hence, it ensures food security and also assists the predication of drought and floods.
By incorporating space technology in urban planning, the record of land use and planning of cities can be improved, recreation and countryside can be planned and transport and infrastructure can be developed.
Henceforth, modern cities can be planned by using space technology, Dr Mirza said adding the study of climate change on earth was not be possible without space technology.
GCU Vice-Chancellor Prof Hassan Amir Shah laid a stress on strong collaboration among universities and research and technology development organisations like SUPARCO saying it helped researchers and students in acquisition of latest and accurate data for research. He also said these workshops were equally important for professionals and students as they gave them opportunity to learn about the latest research and techniques in their subject area.
SUPARCO General Manager Lahore Dr Arifa Lodhi highlighted the SUPARCO collaborations with leading universities of the country including GCU for development of space science and technology in the country.
The senior faculty and staff members from Pakistan Meteorology Department's Lahore Flood Forecasting Division, Punjab University, Lahore College for Women University, Kinnaird College, GCU Faisalabad, FC University Lahore, University of Sargodha and COMSATS took part in the workshop which consisted of nine technical sessions.
Flood Forecasting Centre Lahore Director Muhammad Riaz Khan, Karachi University Geography Department Chairperson Prof Dr Jamil Hassan Kazmi, Punjab University GIS Centre faculty member Hamid Chaudhry, Hassan Saqib from Met Office Radar Department, Punjab Mines and Mineral Department Assistant Director Rizwan Saqibb and SUPARCO managers Shoaib Shafique and Shaista Ejaz also addressed the participants.