The Philippine Space Agency holds the third iteration of the SIKAP+ Space Situational Awareness Training Session on 4-6 July 2023 at the Joy Nostalg Hotel in Ortigas, Pasig City.

This training session—attended by DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute technical staff and other participants from various national agencies-- intends to equip participants with the knowledge and skills in space debris mitigation and detection, regulation and standards for safety, and space traffic management among others. 

In his message of support, DOST-ASTI Director Dr. Franz De Leon said that capacity building in space science and technology projects like this activity is not merely an investment in equipment or infrastructure. 

“We in the Department of Science and Technology knew from the onset that the investment leveraging from our manpower – our scientists, engineers, and researchers—is the very fabric of human progress.  By investing in these projects, we lay the foundation for the future of Filipino youth, where innovation and entrepreneurship will eventually thrive. We inspire young minds to pursue careers in STEM fields, hence ensuring our global competitiveness in an ever-evolving world,” he said. 

The SIKAP+ Project aims to promote further productive utilization of National Research and Education Networks (NREN) through a novel collaboration aimed at resource-sharing and capability-building, embarks on a series of training sessions for the exchange of know-how in the peaceful uses of space science and technology applications. The event received funding from Asi@Connect project, a European Union co-funding project under Grant contract ACA 2016-376-562. 

The DOST-ASTI through its Philippine Research, Education, and Government Information Network (PREGINET), is a co-implementing agency for this training session. The agency believes that by fostering education, research, information campaigns, and collaboration, we empower the next generation of scientists, engineers, and visionaries to push the boundaries of what is possible. Through technology proliferation, we can cultivate a global network of expertise and resources, transcending boundaries and fostering not only local partnerships but also international cooperation. 

Dr. De Leon also extended his gratitude to the TRANS-Eurasia Information Network Programme (TEIN) and the Asi@connect Project team for funding this initiative. He said that the TEIN Programme, under the auspices of the Asi@connect Project, stands as an example of the power of connectivity in transforming the landscape of research and education network.  

“I commend the European Union for its vision in funding this initiative. It is through their support and commitment to promoting research and education that the Asi@connect Project has been able to flourish, extending its benefits to us in the Philippines. Hence, I would like to express my gratitude to the PREGINET team of DOST-ASTI for continually working with Asi@connect and their community to leverage the power of interconnectivity in the country,” he ended. 

The European Union’s investment in this endeavor demonstrates a profound understanding of the power of interconnectivity in building communities, shaping societies, driving economic growth, and fostering global cooperation, powered by creativity and intellectual exchange. In the context of the Philippines, it is through support of the space science technology and innovation as well as this space situational awareness training session. 

The DOST-ASTI team extends its gratitude to the Philippine Space Agency SIKAP+ Project team for their unwavering commitment to this initiative. 

About SIKAP+ of the Philippine Space Agency 

SIKAP+ is designed to expand and strengthen space science research and cooperation in Asia through know-how transfer and sharing of best practices among operators of satellite ground receiving stations and amateur radio satellites, Earth observation and remote sensing practitioners, and new and emerging actors in the space community. SIKAP+ is made possible following PhilSA’s success in obtaining a €149,356.00 grant from the Trans-Eurasia Information Network Programme of the Asi@connect Project funded by the European Union. The Asi@connect Project interconnects universities and research centers in 24 economies/countries across the region by providing high-speed internet connectivity for research and education. 

 Throughout 2022 up to the first quarter of 2023, PhilSA will lead and conduct activities to promote the exchange of know-how, and best practices in space research, facilitate resource sharing on space scientific studies, and advance situational awareness and sustainability of outer space activities.