Opening Ceremony Held On Monday, January 9

The International Space University (ISU), Strasbourg, France with the University of South Australia has joined forces again to bring world class space education to the southern hemisphere with a five-week intensive program set to launch on Monday January 9th. A total of 34 students from 12 countries (Australia, New Zealand, Italy, India, China, Brazil, South Africa, Nepal, Nigeria, Russia, Spain and the USA) will be on hand, along with representatives of UniSA and the International Space University. About half of the students are from Australia, representing space-related government agencies, the Department of Defence, the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, universities throughout Australia, and the private sector.

Speakers will include UniSA Pro Vice Chancellor Andrew Parfitt and ISU Program Director Scott Madry.  In attendance will be distinguished guests from the Australian space, defence and academic communities, UniSA and ISU faculty, guest lecturers, and program supporters and sponsors.

A reception will follow the opening ceremony, which will include an aboriginal music and dance performance. The annual live-in education program – the Southern Hemisphere Summer Space Program (SHSSP) - targets space professionals, graduates and senior undergraduates and in its first three years, will be taught in Adelaide by academics from both institutions at UniSA’s Mawson Lakes campus. The inaugural program was in 2011.

Over 40 international staff, faculty, astronauts and visiting space experts will contribute to the program including 27 Australians. Overseas faculty and staff will come from Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Italy, New Zealand South Africa, South Korea, Spain and the US.

“After the success of the first SH-SSP, ISU and UniSA continue to work closely together to bring a high value space education program to Australia. We believe this partnership will enhance creativity, quality and student focus that both of our institutions demand for their academic offerings and help to increase expertise in space and space technologies and business.” says Prof. Walter Peeters, ISU President.

The program is open to government and industry professionals, graduate researchers and senior undergraduates of all nations. “It is focusing on space applications, space policy and space services,” says Adelaide lawyer and Program Co-Director Michael Davis, a Masters graduate of ISU. “The program also provides a well-rounded overview of the principles and concepts involved in space science, systems engineering and technology, the commercial aspects and opportunities of space, and of course the legal and regulatory issues associated with exploration and use of space.”

The five week live-in program from 9 January to 11 February 2012 will include 46 lectures, together with hands-on workshops and industry visits, an exam and a group research project. Program graduates will become part of the elite alumni of 3,200 ISU students, lecturers and faculty members from throughout the world.

Financial support for the ISU program has been provided by the Australian Government as part of the Australian Space Research Program.

FMI: www.unisa.edu.au/itee/spaceprogram/default.asp