Samara University to Help Sri Lanka in Space Programme Development

On March 26 the delegation from the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka headed by Minister of Science, Technology and Research of this country Hon. Susil Premajayantha visited Samara University. The delegation also included representatives of Arthur C Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies (ACCIMT) - Eng. Sanath Panawennage and Prof. Kemal Deen. 

Within the framework of this visit a cooperation agreement was signed between Samara University and Arthur C Clarke Institute. Sri Lanka has started to develop its own space research programme and Arthur C Clarke Institute is facing the task to become the core of the future space agency of this country and form its national space programme

Agreement with Arthur C Clarke Institute opens new possibilities for this country in the sphere of personnel training and small spacecraft development.

Agreement with Samara University implies training specialists for Sri Lanka in the sphere of space technologies. In April 2017 Samara University will host two groups of Arthur C Clarke Institute’s employers (total number is 17 people) for a long lasting training programme.

Moreover, the agreement opens perspectives for the universities’ cooperation in the sphere of small spacecraft creation, development of new technologies of receiving and processing space information, as well as a number of other technologies accompanying space research.

“Last year when we were making a report at the Session of UN Subcommittee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space many countries expressed interest in the research and training programmes of our university”, Rector of Samara University Evgeniy Shakhmatov said. “Sri Lanka has expressed extreme interest in cooperation with our university both in the spheres of training and research projects, including small spacecraft development. Presently this state is developing its own space programme and experience of Samara University, which in collaboration with “Progress” Rocket-Space Centre has developed a group of small spacecraft, will undoubtedly be useful for Sri Lanka. I hope that this cooperation will be mutually beneficial for Sri Lanka, Arthur C Clarke Institute and our university”. 

For reference

In February 2016 university delegation headed by Rector Evgeniy Shakhmatov participated in the 53rd Session of the UN Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space where the Rector of university delivered a report. As a result of the meetings held in the course of the Subcommittee's work agreements with Nigerian and Mexican centres of training in the sphere of space science and technology affiliated with UNO were signed. Agreements were also signed with The National Space Research and Development Agency of Nigeria (NARSDA) and Arthur C Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies. 

In August 2016 specialists of Inter-University Department of Space Research of Samara University visited Arthur C Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies. Samara University experts took part in the discussion concerning the “Roadmap” on the development of Sri Lanka national space programme. It was decided that development and creation of a nano-satellite, the assignment of which is being discussed, will be the first stage of the “Roadmap”.  

During the summer visit a meeting of Samara scholars with the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka Alexander Karchava and Hon. Susil Premajayantha took place. 

From September 5-10 Samara University Professor Igor Belokonov chaired a session concerning the development of space technology at Science and Technology Forum in Sri Lanka.
 

Photo: Andrey Kislev (photo club “Illuminator”)