In the quaint physics laboratory of St Joseph’s College, Bangalore, every Saturday, a group of youngsters can be seen nurturing its space dream and be part of India’s highly sophisticated space research programme.
In an attempt to nurture and groom youngsters to be part of India’s space programme, Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) recently renewed a special memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the St Joseph’s College.
As part of the MoU, Isro will provide all possible help, including finances to the physics department of the college and groom space scientists for the future.
The college is currently issuing admission forms for certificate course in space and rocket dynamics, and the last date for applying to the course is November 29. Undergraduate science and engineering students are eligible to apply for the special programme.
Professor Joselin Jose, coordinator of the course, who also teaches physics in the college, said that Isro had recently renewed its commitment to support the course for the next five years.
“We have been closely working with Isro for the last 10 years. After reviewing the course offered by us, and happy with our performance, Isro has renewed its commitment to support the course for the next five years,” said Jose.
Along with sponsoring books, resource materials and equipment, including telescopes, Isro has decided to give financial aid of Rs50,000 to the department every year.
“Ten years back, we started the course with just a few students. Today, we have 75 students. We are expecting about 100 students in our forthcoming batch,” Jose added.
The entire programme in space and rocket dynamics will be for a duration of 120 hours.
Classes will be conducted by eminent scientists from Isro, Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Raman Research Institute and Isro satellite centre (ISAC).
Renowned city-based astrophysicists, C Sivaram and K Subramanian have been the guiding force for students in pursuing their space dream. Sivaram is also the course director.
“The primary objective of this course is to create awareness and kindle interest among students in the highly sophisticated world of space research,” said Dr (Fr) Ambrose Pinto, principal of the college.
Some of the topics to be covered as part of the course include astronomy and astrophysics, rocket dynamics, solar physics, cosmology, astrobiology and high-energy astronomy.
“As part of the course, field visits will be arranged to some of the major facilities like Isro satellite centre—Sriharikota range, Vainu Bappu observatory—Kavalur, Vikram Sarabhai space centre—Thumba and Gauribidanur observatory,” said Jose.
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