|
|
|
| Sunday, 6 November 2005 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Celebrating
satellite communication concept
The World Science Day falls on November 10. The Ministry of Science & Technology has organised a science exhibition from November 5 to celebrate a science week at the premises of Industrial Technology Institute (ITI). Exactly sixty years ago in the year 1945, a UK magazine, 'Wireless World' carried a paper titled, 'Extra-terrestrial Relays'. Through this article the principles of satellite communication using three satellites in geostationary orbits was proposed, long before man-made orbiting satellites were ever even thought of. This idea led to the geostationary satellite systems, which we use today for global communications, twenty-five years later. Arthur C. Clarke, a British citizen living in Sri Lanka since 1956 was born on December 16, 1917. During the second World War he served the Royal Air Force as a radar specialist. After leaving the Royal Air Force, he obtained a first class honours degree in Physics and Mathematics in 1948 from Kings College, London. Clarke received numerous honours for his significant contributions including the Marconi International Award and a gold medal of the Franklin Institute. The cash reward of USD. 50,000, which he received along with the Marconi award was donated to set up Moratuwa Arthur C. Clarke Institution. Sir Arthur C. Clarke became one of the three best science fiction writers in the world. His first professional sale was in 1946 to Astounding Science Fiction, the short story titled 'Rescue Party'. There were more than 50 stalls at this exhibition carrying many creations in relation to satellite communication and planetary science developed by Arthur C. Clarke Institution and the Planetary Scientists' Association. There were also many module creations for which school students too were involved. Hard struggle ACCMTI is focused on several important frontier areas of scientific knowledge and development. Electronics, communication, information technology, space science all are areas that hold tremendous potential for future development of our society as a whole, as a basis for economic development and to increase the welfare of our people world over. ACCMTI has been devoting its efforts along with the various scientists who have been associated with the institute, including the University of Moratuwa. This has been as it were a hard struggle because we got extremely low level of 0.18% of GDP to 1%; we are one of the lowest in the world. The Finance Minister has agreed to increase the allocation at the coming budget to 1% of GDP. The money required will receive through the Ministry of Science & Technology to Arthur C. Clarke Institute. We have to provide the necessary funding and equipment and working conditions for our scientists and technologies who are second to none anywhere in the world. In fact when we were developing an ADB Bank supported project, I had to identify the trend trust areas for development. Electronics, communication and information technology were among these institutions. But the rate of progress I cannot say is entirely satisfactory. We have to make much more progress, with the necessary support the scientists and technologists will be approaching. We have to really catch up with the rest of the world. The gap is quite wide in different areas. We need to get some foreign inputs into the strengthening of these areas to try to make rapid progress. If we can do that quickly with determination we may catch up with the rest of the world. If we are to develop our industry to develop our economy, we have to be innovative in these areas. We have to make developments, which will be able to capture the market ultimately, if our industrial development is to benefit. These are tremendous challenges. I am happy that ACCIMT has arranged a training program for those who are involved in the Vidatha Movement, the program that is taking science and technology to the village. I had the good fortune to open the 51st Vidatha Centre; I was struck by the response from the public where even in an area like Haputale from the plantation sector, there was enthusiasm and participation by people from that community. These are very heartening developments. The research and development laboratories of the Institute are well equipped with modern instrumentation and computer systems. They are used to support applied research and product development in the fields of electronics, telecommunications, and microprocessor based hardware, astronomy, remote sensing and geographical information systems. At present the institute has undertaken various demand driven research and development projects from both government and the private sector with a view to promoting local manufacture of high-tech products. The research and development team of the Institute is capable and experienced in competitive design and development activities. Hi-tech training In addition to research and development activities, ACCMTI is involved in continuing professional development courses and youth training programs, consultancy, standards checking and calibration and specialised services for the industry. It has the infrastructure and human resources for development of products, systems and techniques for industrial applications in electronics, communications, information technology, information communication technology, astronomy, remote sensing and geographical information system for the benefit of small and medium enterprises and the general public sectors with exports in mind. The Institute periodically announces high-tech training programmes for professionals and senior managers who are serving the local industrial sector. These short-term training programmes are geared to provide the most up-to-date information in the subject areas related to microelectronic applications, communications and computer systems. These short-term courses have a fair component of hands on sessions. To assist the development of the skills of the younger generation, the Institute provides training programmes related to electronics engineering as well as other modern topics. Some of these programmes are conducted in collaboration with other industrial institutions for local/overseas participants. The main activities of the IT Division include software and web developer, local area network and server management of ACCIMT, and consultancy services to the industry. The division recently has developed and released an email client and a web browser in Sinhala language contributing to the national interest in developing ICT to suit local languages and culture. Library The Electronic and Microelectronics Division offers test and measurement facilities especially in the area of power electronics. It has launched a district level astronomy training program for school children and advanced learners. These programmes cover lectures and practical observation sessions in Astronomy. The Space Application Division mainly focusses on Astronomy and Remote Sensing. This division maintains, the 45 cm cassegrain optical telescope, which is the biggest in the country. The library is being expanded to meet the current demand from the technical and non-technical professionals as well as from the decision makers of the private and public sector institutions. It includes latest application data from electronic component manufacturers. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
