NASRDA’s Experience in Human Capacity Development and Capability Accumulation in Satellite Technology
Francis Dubem Chizea,
Reuben Jikeme Umunna,
Ese Oghene Ovie
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 3, June 2019
Pages:
70-75
Received:
4 June 2019
Accepted:
9 July 2019
Published:
23 July 2019
Abstract: The National Space Research & Development Agency (NASRDA) was created in 1999 to coordinate and oversee all space activities for Nigeria. With little or no human space technology capacity and capability at inception, the agency embarked on an aggressive human capacity building and accumulation mission. From its creation, the agency has been strongly committed to achieving independent satellite development capability. As the agency celebrates its 20 years of existence in 2019, it has emerged as one of the largest space institutions in the African continent - launching five successful satellites of various sizes, all of which involved technology transfers to Nigerian scientists and engineers. NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X were two medium Earth Observation satellites launched in 2011 to provide medium resolution imagery to serve the needs of various institutions not only within Nigeria, but also other nations through a constellation of satellites managed by the DMCii, UK. While NigeriaSat-2 was procured from SSTL, NigeriaSat-X served as a training model through which satellite engineering design skills were transferred to Nigerian Engineers from SSTL, UK. Six years after the launch of NigeriSat-2 and Nigerisat-X, a cubesat dubbed “NigeriEduSat-1” was launched from a university-to-university (U2U) collaboration between FUTA, Akure and KIT, Japan. The U2U collaboration, facilitated by National Space Research & Development Agency, was aimed at improving technology absorption and local diffusion of satellite engineering within the country. This paper reviews strides made by NASRDA in accumulating know-how satellite development and further discusses the various efforts made in building its first satellite independently.
Abstract: The National Space Research & Development Agency (NASRDA) was created in 1999 to coordinate and oversee all space activities for Nigeria. With little or no human space technology capacity and capability at inception, the agency embarked on an aggressive human capacity building and accumulation mission. From its creation, the agency has been strongl...
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The Neglected Values of Philosophy in Contemporary Society: A Call for Curriculum Review in Ethiopian Higher Education
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 3, June 2019
Pages:
76-87
Received:
20 June 2019
Accepted:
24 July 2019
Published:
12 August 2019
Abstract: This paper aims at exploring the values of philosophy in the contemporary Ethiopian society. In my view the values of philosophy are overlooked and deemphasized consciously or unconsciously due to various reasons. Philosophy is viewed by some people as insignificant discipline; a discipline too speculative and lacks practical value and no longer valuable in the era of science and technology. However, addressing the following questions is relevant to resolve such misunderstandings: Is philosophy really worthless to the contemporary society? What are the values, if any, of philosophy for contemporary society in general and Ethiopian society in particular? Does philosophy contribute for learners in understanding sciences? To address these questions, therefore, the researcher employed philosophical methods of analysis and phenomenology. The focus of this paper is critically explaining philosophy’s practical impact on contemporary Ethiopian society. It points out that philosophy is significant for multi-faceted human development – social, political, intellectual and spiritual. I believe and recommend that a little dosage of philosophical training is important in general for citizens and students of higher education in particular. Some of the reasons are that philosophy can enable one to develop critical thinking dispositions, equips one to reason correctly and enables to engage in critical examination and analysis of different social issues. Above all, I firmly believe that a proper training in philosophy is essential to contribute to the development of a country. Hence, this paper offers valuable insights and suggestions for ministry of education and higher institutions to re-examine the mission and objective of education policy of Ethiopia whether it supports and promotes the production of critical citizens. All in all, it is a clarion call for curriculum review in Ethiopian higher education which overlooked the values of philosophy.
Abstract: This paper aims at exploring the values of philosophy in the contemporary Ethiopian society. In my view the values of philosophy are overlooked and deemphasized consciously or unconsciously due to various reasons. Philosophy is viewed by some people as insignificant discipline; a discipline too speculative and lacks practical value and no longer va...
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