The Hindu Business Line : ISRO, AP renew pact on satellite-based education

THE ANDHRA PRADESH Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, receives the Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation, Dr G. Madhavan Nair, at the signing of the renewed MoU for satellite-based communications network for education, health and development in Hyderabad on Friday. - P.V. Sivakumar

Hyderabad , Aug. 25

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Andhra Pradesh Government on Friday renewed their memorandum of understanding on satellite-based education through KU band network.

As a part of the MoU signed by ISRO and the Department of Communication and Information Technology, AP, it is proposed to create about 8,000 nodes, thereby taking the total nodes to offer education to 10,000.

Addressing newspersons here after signing the MoU, the ISRO Chairman, Dr G. Madhavan Nair, said that ISRO had signed up with the State in 2000 to offer satellite education that is aimed at reaching out to even the remotest areas in the State. This was renewed for three more years.

MULTI-PURPOSE

This will enable the State Government to use the INSAT capacity for satellite communication to offer distance education, telemedicine, agricultural extension, and also cover areas such as self-help groups. While ISRO will provide transponder capacity on board its INSAT and technical support, the State will operate the network at the ground level and offer various facilities.

Mana TV currently has 2,000 terminals and has over five TV channels, and one data channel that cater to the requirements of educational institutions including engineering colleges for both formal and non-formal education. Mana TV is now being upgraded to include more interactive terminals as part of Edusat.

ISRO has also agreed to supply 25 interactive video terminals for use on the AP NET and thereby upgrade existing earth stations for supporting this. Alongside, it is proposed to provide one unit to the Institute for Electronic Governance under Indo-US project, where leading US universities have signed up with the Department of Space and Department of Science and Technology to impart quality education to engineering institutes in India.

ISRO THANKED

Thanking the ISRO for providing KU band free of cost for the cause of education and other areas in the State, the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, said that this will complement the broadband network now under way in the State. It is proposed to connect villages across the State with this network and the project would be ready by the middle of 2007.

ISRO is exploring if they could develop a system that would be able to predict seasonal conditions in advance so that Government can work out appropriate strategies. They are also in negotiations with the Prasar Bharati to include these educational programmes on the DTH platform for broader reach.

More Stories on : Education | Science & Technology | Andhra Pradesh

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page