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Under the auspices of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs Samara University is to host the United Nations/Russian Federation Workshop on Human Capacity-Building in Space Science and Technology for Sustainable Social and Economic Development” on 30 October - 2 November, 2017.
It is for the second time during the post-Soviet period that Russia was chosen as the venue to hold the international event devoted to the outer space exploration on behalf of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs. What makes it even more significant is the fact that the coming Workshop is scheduled on the eve of UNISPACE + 50, the Fourth International Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space to be held in 2018.
One of the four thematic priorities on the agenda of UNISPACE+50 Conference is the theme of the Workshop to be held in Samara, which deals with strengthening the national infrastructures and enhancing human potential in the field of space science and technologies for sustainability of social and economic development for the benefit of humankind.
The coming Workshop is likely to become a unique opportunity for Russia where the participants representing various countries will share their experience in implementing national and international programs aimed at harmonious advancement of the man into outer space as well as the active use of achievements in cosmonautics for human needs.
The agreement on holding the Workshop was reached during the session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC), which was attended by the delegation from Samara University.
The Workshop will be co-organized by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and Samara National Research University named after Academician S.Korolev together with the Russian Space Rocket Centre (SRC) PROGRESS and State Space Corporation (SSC) ROSCOSMOS.
The speakers from Russia will report on the accomplishments and capacities of aerospace enterprises and companies in the Samara region including ventures rendering launching services such as launching nanosatellites and small spacecrafts for the benefit of universities and startups.
“I am confident that this is going to be a milestone event for our university, our region as well as for our country. It will open up new vistas for collaborative projects in the field of space technologies and international students’ instruction . The UN Workshop will commemorate two events: first, the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the space age - launch of the Sputnik 1 satellite in October 1957; second, the 75th anniversary of our university. So, this Workshop is going to re-confirm that Samara remains the “space capital of Russia”, said Evgeny Shakhmatov, Rector of Samara University.
As a matter of fact, Samara University has been participating in the United Nations Committee for Outer Space since 2016. Last year Evgeny Shakhmatov, Rector of Samara University, spoke at the 53rd Session of the UN Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC)
Following the meetings during the work of the Subcommittee, Samara University signed agreements with educational centers for outer space research and technology affiliated with the United Nations in Nigeria and Mexico. In addition, Samara University will cooperate with National Space Agency of Nigeria (NARSDA) and Arthur Clark Institute for Modern Technologies (ACCIMIT), Sri Lanka.
For reference
The United Nations has been involved in outer space issues since the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957. The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) consists of representatives from 77 countries and about 30 intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations with permanent observer status. COPUOS initiates the main laws in the use of outer space, coordinates some activities of national space agencies, and together with UN Member States disseminates knowledge in the field of space science and technologies.
The first United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space was held in 1968.
