ISNET Secretariat
December 2014
Mr Ahmed Bilal
President ISNET
volume 31
Mr Arshad H. Siraj
Executive Director ISNET
Ms Sadaf Sajjad
Administrator ISNET
HIGHLIGHTS
Training Course on Remote Sensing and GIS
Applications in Forestry; 18-22 Aug 2014;
Karachi, Pakistan
Training Course on Satellite-based Applications in
Climate Change; 22-25 Dec 2014;
Karachi, Pakistan
ISNET/TUBITAK UZAY Workshop on Small Satellite
Engineering and Design for OIC Countries;
20-24 Oct 2014; Ankara, Turkey
Tenth Governing Body Meeting (GBM) of ISNET;
13 Nov 2014; Islamabad, Pakistan
Announcement of Training Courses for 2015
ISNET Secretariat values the continuing support
of Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere
Research Commission (SUPARCO), OIC
Ministerial Standing Committee for Scientific
and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH)
and Islamic Development Bank (IDB) in
implementing ISNET’s developmental program.
In the later half of year 2014, Inter-Islamic
Network on Space Sciences & Technology
(ISNET) organised and co-sponsored two
training course and held a workshop. The Tenth
biennial Governing Body Meeting (GBM) of
ISNET was also organised on 13 November
2014 at COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad,
Pakistan.
ISNET, in collaboration with The Scientific and
Technological Research Council of Turkey
(TUBITAK, UZAY) and OIC Ministerial Standing
Committee on Scientific & Technological
Cooperation (COMSTECH), held its first ever
workshop on space technology titled
“ISNET/TUBITAK UZAY Workshop on Small
Satellite Engineering and Design for OIC
Countries” which was generously co-sponsored
by Islamic Development Bank (IDB).
It is encouraging to report that as many as thirty
two participants from member and non-member
OIC States were sponsored by ISNET to attend
the training courses and workshop.
Mr Abdullah Jamil Khan has very ably
completed his tenure as Administrator ISNET on
31st December 2014. He dedicated himself
most intensely and skilfully toward achievement
of ISNET’s activities. The Secretariat wishes him
all the best in his new role and hopes that he
continues to succeed in the new phase of his
career.
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TRAINING ROUNDUP
Training Course on Remote
Sensing and GIS Applications in
Forestry; 18-22 Aug 2014;
Karachi, Pakistan
ISNET, in collaboration with Pakistan
Space
&
Upper
Atmosphere
Research Commission (SUPARCO),
organised a training course on
Remote
Sensing
and
GIS
Applications in Forestry from 18 to 22
Aug 2014 at the National Centre for
Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics
at Karachi, Pakistan.
The course aimed at providing
basic-level understanding of Satellite
Remote
Sensing
(SRS)
and
Geographic Information System
(GIS), and their applications in the
field of forestry. It progressed from
digital image interpretation to
identification of vegetated sites,
followed by techniques employed to
quantify selected forest parameters.
The course featured extensive
hands-on exercises on SRS and GIS
software packages to achieve the
aforesaid objectives.
Course
contents included: introduction to
SRS and GIS; remote sensing of
vegetation;
digital
image
interpretation; image enhancement;
change detection; and forest fire
management. Participants greatly
appreciated the course contents and
practical exercises.
ISNET fully sponsored the following
participants to attend the training
course.
Mr Zaur Mehtiyev, Engineer
Programmer, National Aerospace
Agency, Azerbaijan
Dr Fadia Al-Azawi, Lecturer, Dijlla
University, Iraq
Mr Emran Samara, Geomatics
Engineer,
Royal
Jordanian
Geographic
Centre
(RJGC),
Jordan
Ms
Saira
Batool,
Lecturer,
Bahauddin Zakariya University,
Pakistan
Mr Mirza Muhammad Waqar,
Lecturer, Institute of Space
Technology (IST), Pakistan
Mr Shahbaz Baig, MS Scholar,
Institute of Space Technology
(IST), Pakistan
Mr
Samba
Laobe
Ndao,
Cartographer, Centre de Suivi
Ecologique (CSE), Senegal
Training Course on Satellite-based
Applications in Climate Change;
22-25 Dec 2014; Karachi, Pakistan
ISNET, in collaboration with Institute
of
Space
Technology
(IST),
organised a training course on
Satellite-based
Applications
in
Climate Change from 22 to 25 Dec
2014 at the National Centre for
Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics
at Karachi, Pakistan.
The
course
was
aimed
at
acquainting participants on climate
change, its drivers and mitigation
including processing of satellite
data, use of geo-spatial and
ground-based
monitoring
techniques to address climate
change issues. Similarly, it was also
to familiarise and sensitise trainees
on current environmental issues,
climate
change
and
environment-related issues through
lectures, hands-on exercises and
presentation of case studies by
renowned field experts. Topics
included introduction to satellite
system and their applications;
satellite-based climate change and
environmental
monitoring;
GIS
applications for water resources;
hazard and disaster monitoring using
satellite remote sensing; dynamics of
snow and glaciers; and National
Climate Change Policy – Challenges
and
issues
from
Pakistan’s
perspective.
The following nine participants were
sponsored to participate in the
training course.
Mr Ziaul Islam, Field Assistant,
Space Research and Remote
Sensing Organization (SPARRSO),
Bangladesh
Mr Ayman Mohamed Elsayed, GIS
& RS Specialist, National Authority
for Remote Sensing and Space
Sciences (NARSS), Egypt
Mr Araz Hussein Mustafa, Chief
Physicist, Ministry of Science and
Technology, Iraq
Mr Khaldoon Khaled Alwan,
Senior Geologist, Ministry of
Science and Technology, Iraq
Mr
Laith
Jamil
Alzyadat,
Geomatics
Engineer,
Royal
Jordanian Geographic Centre
(RJGC), Jordan
Mr
Muhibullah,
Construction
Manager, Swiss Agency for
Development and Cooperation,
Pakistan
Mr Umar Jamil, MS Scholar,
COMSATS Institute of Information
Technology, Pakistan
Dr Ameer Awad Mohammed,
Assistant
Professor,
Wildlife
Research Center, Sudan
Ms
Shahinda
Abdelrahman
Elkhalifa, Researcher, Remote
Sensing Authority (RSA), Sudan
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WORKSHOP ROUNDUP
ISNET/TUBITAK UZAY Workshop
on Small Satellite Engineering and
Design for OIC Countries;
20-24 Oct 2014; Ankara, Turkey
Inter-Islamic Network on Space
Sciences & Technology (ISNET), in
collaboration with the Scientific and
Technological Research Council of
Turkey (TUBITAK, UZAY), with
advisory support of Pakistan Space
and Upper Atmosphere Research
Commission
(SUPARCO)
and
co-sponsorship
of
Islamic
KUZU, Director, TUBITAK UZAY gave
the welcome note in which he thanked
ISNET for choosing Turkey as the host
country for its annual workshop 2014.
Mr Arshad H Siraj, Executive Director,
ISNET addressed the gathering while
outlining the importance of the
workshop’s theme.
The two day seminar on “Satellite
Systems Engineering and Satellite
Subsystems” included series of oral
presentations from ISNET member
States (MS) on five thematic areas,
namely:
Systems
Engineering;
Development Bank (IDB), held a
Workshop
on
Small
Satellite
Engineering and Design for OIC
Countries from 20-24 October 2014
in Ankara, Turkey.
It is for the first time that ISNET had
held a workshop related to space
technology. Its objective was to offer
an avenue for mutual exchange of
knowledge and experience on small
satellite engineering and design
among the OIC member States. The
workshop aimed to facilitate sharing
of expert-level knowledge and
experience on small satellite system
and sub-system design and also
provided hands-on training on
advanced simulation software suites
used in design, development and
analysis
of
various
satellite
sub-systems.
The Workshop was divided into a
two-day
seminar
on
‘Satellite
Systems Engineering and Satellite
Subsystems’
followed
by
lecture-based hands-on training
course on ‘Satellite Mission Design’.
The
event
started
with
an
inauguration ceremony presided by
Dr
Shaukat
Hameed
Khan,
Coordinator General of COMSTECH.
In his speech he stressed the
importance of and need for
technology sharing among OIC
member countries. Dr. Lokman
Payload; Communications; Structure;
and AODCS. Apart from scientific
papers that outlined the various uses
of small satellite technology, there
were a few on the status of small
satellite technology in the member
countries and how it can contribute to
accelerated development.
The main highlight of the event
however was a lecture by Professor
Dr. Eberhard Gill a prominent
German scientist, Chair holder of
Space Systems Engineering (SSE)
and
Faculty
of
Aerospace
Engineeringfrom Delft University of
Technology Netherland. Dr Gill’s
lecture titled ‘Current Trends in Small
Satellite Engineering and My Vision’
gave details of how small satellites
can be cost effectively launched and
how it is the most efficient way to
move forward.
On the last day of the workshop
TUBITAK UZAY had arranged a
technical visit to Turkish Aerospace
Industries (TAI). Participants were
given briefing on research activities
of TAI, projects completed by TAI and
its collaboration with local and
international industry. Participants
visited the Satellite Assembling,
Integration and Testing facility
developed by TAI with collaboration
of Thales Allenia. The visit offered
participants the opportunity to better
understand satellite technology.
After the technical visit, a brief
concluding ceremony was held at
TUBITAK UZAY. The event formally
commenced with a feedback and
recommendations session where
participants expressed their views
about the event and suggested ideas
for further cooperation between
member countries. The participants
recognised the immense potential of
satellite technology in general and of
small satellites in particular. The
workshop concluded that small
satellites were valuable tools in the
development
of
a
space
infrastructure
and
scientific
andapplication programmes for OIC
countries.
The
exchange
of
information and practical expertise
proved to be very valuable. It was
noted that the modest cost involved
in development of small satellites is
an affordable means for the
acquisition of space technology and
building indigenous capability.
ISNET
sponsored
sixteen
participants
from
Azerbaijan,
Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Malaysia,
Pakistan, Palestine, Sudan and
Yemen for this workshop.
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GBM ROUNDUP
Tenth Governing Body Meeting (GBM) of ISNET;
13 Nov 2014; Islamabad, Pakistan
The Inter Islamic Network on Space Sciences &
Technology (ISNET) held its Tenth biennial Governing
Body Meeting (GBM) on 13 November 2014 at
COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan. The
Meeting was chaired by President ISNET Mr Ahmed Bilal
who is also Chairman of Pakistan Space & Upper
Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO).
The meeting was attended by the following officials from
COMSTECH, focal point organisations and ISNET
Secretariat:
Dr Shaukat Hameed Khan | Member
Coordinator General
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific
and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH)
Prof Mamdouh Mahmood El-Sayed Abdeen | Member
Head
Geological Applications and
Mineral Resources Division
National Authority for Remote Sensing
& Space Sciences(NARSS)
Egypt
Dr Mohsen Shaterzadeh | Member
Vice President
Iranian Space Agency (ISA)
Islamic Republic of Iran
Mr Reza Asgari | Member
Expert
Iranian Space Agency (ISA)
Islamic Republic of Iran
Dr Maath Ismail Mahmood Alomari | Member
Director
Ministry of Science & Technology (MoST) Iraq
Mr Ibrahim Awwad Ibrahim Albaddawi | Member
Director
Royal Jordanian Geographic Centre (RJGC) Jordan
Mr Oumar SARR | Member
Chief Financial Officer
Centre de Suivi Ecologique(CSE) Senegal
Dr Amna Ahmed Hamid El Tom | Member
Director
Remote Sensing Authority (RSA) Sudan
Mr Zafar Iqbal | Member
Director
Disaster Management
SUPARCO, Pakistan
Mr Arshad Siraj | Executive Director
Executive Director
ISNET
Mr Abdullah Jamil Khan | Rapporteur
Administrator
ISNET
Ms Sadaf Sajjad | Rapporteur
Assistant Manager
SUPARCO, Pakistan
President ISNET, in his opening remarks, underscored the
necessity for member States to carry out meaningful
scientific and technical projects. He also highlighted the
achievements of ISNET in the continued expansion of
member States and grant to ISNET of Permanent
Observer status of the United Nations Committee on the
Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS). Delegates
from member countries made statements and approved
the agenda of the Meeting. Besides approving the activity
plan and budget for the next biennium (2015-16), the
Governing Body discussed ways and means to expand
and enrich the scope of activities. Project proposals from
Iran, Senegal and Pakistan were presented during the
Meeting.
The Governing Body (GB), while appreciating the
progress made by ISNET, discussed and agreed on the
ways of reviving membership of inactive countries and of
attracting non Member States to the ISNET forum. The GB
agreed that for enhancing the role of ISNET, it is essential
to double the annual membership fee.
Egypt, Iran and Pakistan were elected as the new
members of the Executive Council of ISNET.
For improving the activities of ISNET and to gain maximum
benefits from its limited budget, several ideas were
discussed by the delegates. On the basis of the proposed
suggestions, ISNET Secretariat shall conduct a number of
studies.
Delegates of GBM also attended International Conference
on Space (ICS-2014) which was held from 12-14
November 2014 in Islamabad, Pakistan. This three-day
conference
connected
space
professionals,
decision-makers, academicians, researchers and
scientists as well as students of space sciences and
technologies to showcase their achievements, share
latest development in space technology and applications,
and voice their opinions on important space and
development issues in a highly interactive and
cross-disciplinary environment.
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Announcement of Training Courses for 2015
Kindly note that courses are subject to change based on the participants registered, availability of trainers and funds.
Latest schedule and course availability shall be shared with all Member States.
More details are available on our website
www.isnet.org.pk
1. RF Design & Simulation with Advanced System
Design Software (ADS)
Tentative Dates: April 2015
Duration of course: 2 Days
Objectives: To familiarize communication engineers in
designing and performing circuit level simulation of RF
systems with simulation tool.
Course Contents: Getting Started with ADS, Tuning and
Optimization, Microwave Discrete and Microstrip Filter
Design, Discrete and Microstrip Coupler Design,
Microwave Amplifier Design, MESFET Frequency
Multiplier Design, Active Mixer Design , Microwave
Oscillator Design, Power Amplifier Design, Getting
Started with ADS Ptolemy, QPSK System Design using
ADS Ptolemy, RF Cosimulation using ADS
2. Digital Image Processing using ENVI
Tentative Dates: 17-21 Aug 2015
Duration of course: 1 week
Objectives: The course is aimed at providing primary
concepts
of
image
analysis
and
extensive
hands-on-experience of working using ENVI software.
This training will cover basic ENVI functions, Image
processing including enhancement and corrections,
different methods of classification, indices calculation,
accuracy assessment and change detection.
Course Contents: ENVI Basic Functions, ENVI Tools and
Menus), Image Enhancement techniques, Image
Classification, Accuracy Assessment, Change Detection,
Hyperspectral Analysis
3. Antenna Design with HFSS Software
Tentative Dates: August 2015
Duration of course: 2 Days
Objectives: The main purpose of this workshop is to
provide an opportunity for engineering faculty from
academic institutions, engineers from industries and post
graduate students to get the exposure and interaction
with the field experts, who are involved in the research
and development activities in high frequency circuit
design. In addition to giving exposure to recent topics of
designing RF circuits using the EDA tool like HFSS, the
Workshop will give impetus to participants to do their
research and development activities in the area of RF
Design and related applications. Therefore solutions for
the many real world problems will be attempted in an
efficient way using the EDA tool.
Course Contents: Introduction to Ansys HF Packages,
Introduction to Finite Element Method, High Frequency
Simulation and Analysis basics, Boundary conditions and
excitations, Hands on (HFSS) Training-Design, Simulation
and Characterization of Edge Fed Patch Antenna (HFSS),
Hands on Training on patch antenna simulation, Hands
on Training Rectangular Wave guide- Correlation with
theory after simulation (HFSS), Hands on Training on Horn
antenna fed Reflector system simulation (HFSS), Hands
on Training - Antenna & Amplifier ( Antenna design with
RF Backend - HFSS & Designer) Project / specific Query
discussion
4. Applications of Geospatial Techniques in
Coastal Resource Mapping and Management
Tentative Dates: August 2015
Duration of course: 4 Days
Objectives: This course will mainly focus on use of
Remote Sensing and GIS techniques in the areas of
coastal resource mapping and management.
Course Contents: This course will comprise lectures and
hands-on exercises using state-of-the-art geospatial
software packages
5. Object Based Image Analysis
Tentative Dates: 14-18 Sep 2015
Duration of course: 1 week
Objectives: The course aims to provide the basic
understanding of Image Analysis. The course progresses
from image interpretation techniques to the tradeoff
between pixel based & object based image analysis. It
will provide hands on exercises emphasizing on the
Object Based Image Analysis (OBIA) using different
remote sensing software packages.
Course Contents: Introduction to Digital Image,
Fundamentals of Object Based Image Analysis (OBIA),
Image segmentation, Object based Image Classification
through various methods, Applications of OBIA in
different RS fields, Case Studies, Accuracy Assessment.
6. RADAR Remote Sensing (SAR) and Image
Processing
Tentative Dates: December 2015 Duration of course: 4 Days
Objectives: The course will provide the basic principles
of Radar Remote Sensing specifically Synthetic Aperture
Radar (SAR) and its imaging techniques for the use of
environmental parameter estimation.
Course Contents: The course will give an introduction to
SAR techniques, the interpretation of SAR imaging
responses and the use of SAR for different environmental
applications. Following topics will be covered:
Electromagnetic wave theory, SAR basics and principles,
Introduction to scattering theory and decomposition
techniques, Introduction to SAR interferometry,
Introduction to polarimetric SAR, SAR Image
classification, enhancement techniques etc.
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