The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Alcatel Alenia Space in France have signed a collaboration agreement that is expected to develop space science skills in SA.
The companies said in a joint statement that they would cooperate in the areas of land cover mapping, platform development and electronics (mechanical and optical), broadband solutions via satellite, satellite navigation and transport applications, spatial data infrastructure and development in astronomy-related initiatives.
Experts will transfer their skills to others involved in research projects, leading to 'human capital development`.
"Where human resource development is concerned, the CSIR and Alcatel have earmarked navigation, earth observation, environmental research and meteorology," says Phil Mjwara, CSIR group executive, research and development.
"Our collaboration will include research and development activities in satellite programmes, space data information systems, and customers` requests for information, to mention but a few areas," Mjwara says.
"Within this area, most of the CSIR`s researchers have postgraduate qualifications in science or engineering," says Hilda van Rooyen, CSIR communication, media and publishing manager. "In certain cases, the work will be done in conjunction with tertiary education institutions."
Tele-epidemiology
One satellite broadband solution on which the organisations will collaborate is tele-epidemiology, the study of environmental data to improve understanding of how epidemics spread. It combines data from meteorological, earth observation, scientific and telecommunications satellites to construct climatic, ecological and clinical models, Van Rooyen explains.
"The innovation of tele-epidemiology, in the CSIR`s opinion, lies in the integration aspects, not the specific technologies. The technologies are becoming quite standardised and, to an extent, custom, off-the-shelf technologies," she says.
Tele-epidemiology is considered as an early warning tool, a surveillance network based on remote data collected of biological data (weather, insects, agriculture, etc), which are responsible for certain diseases, says Mervin Kamoetie, manager, communications and corporate affairs for Alcatel SA.
"Typically, it would be a 'clinic-in-a-box` that utilises digital diagnostic equipment such as microscopes, cameras and even blood sample analysers all integrated in a single remote system consisting of a computer, the diagnostic equipment, output devices such as printers and even video conferencing/teleconferencing equipment," says Van Rooyen.
"Each set of tools and its components are adapted to suit specific needs and are focused on a specific region. This 'box` is then tied into the wider health fraternity through the broadband satellite link that can transmit the diagnostic information to targeted hospitals and allow the medical personnel at the remote site to engage with the professionals at the hospitals through video and telephone conferencing."
The initiative is part of Alcatel`s sustainable development strategy, which consists of partnering with local players, associations and other stakeholders, to propose solutions that combine technologies and services.
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