18
Jul
2019
Closure of the training courses entitled “CubeSat Technology”
Sponsored by the Prime Minister, Mr. Saad Al Hariri, and represented by the Minister of State for Administrative Reform, Doctor May Chidiac, the series of training courses entitled “CubeSat Technology”, which were applied for the benefit of the National Science Research Council, ended. CubeSat Technology: aims to develop the first satellite from a group of small Satellites-Nanosatellite, during an official ceremony, which was held at the Grand Serail government on Wednesday 17th of July 2019. The chief of the governance section in the European Union, representing the president of the Union Mission in Lebanon, Mr. Reine Neiland, attended the ceremony. The Secretary General of the National Science Research Council, Professor Mouin Hamzeh attended also attended. In addition to Doctor Ghaleb Faour, Director of the National Remote Sensing Centre, as well as administrative leaders, teachers, university students and researchers.
These training courses come within the framework of providing technical assistance to the Lebanese government, funded by the European Union, which is organized by the Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform and applied by a British organization called Crown Agents.
After holding a round-table, which discussed space technology and the new developments in this field including the under-developed countries, and after the speeches given by the Secretary General of the National Science Research Council and the chief of the governance section in the European Union were over, the Minister of State for Administrative Reform, Doctor May Chidiac, gave her own speech. She said that reminiscing would not help the Lebanese people. It is necessary to face obstacles and aim for innovation and scientific development. She ensured that the Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform, would search for the great minds and talents and invest in them though the lack of resources in the country. D. Chidiac was grateful for the role the National Science Research Council plays in enhancing the scientific thinking methodology. ‘We sought through this project to develop the competencies of the council employees, the researchers, the teachers and the university students, through transferring to them information in the field of scientific analysis and designing small satellites.’ The minister emphasized that developing competencies is not enough, courage is necessary in order to continue in testing and repeat testing.
After she expressed her trust in the support provided by the Prime Minister, Mr. Saad Al Hariri to all the initiatives to develop the administration, she said: “let us allow the government to work and produce instead of placing the blame on others which doesn’t do any good.” She ended her speech by using the informal Lebanese language and said: “they say it’s not easy being Lebanese, and I say it’s not easy having in Lebanon initiatives and programs about space technology for the designing of small satellites for the sake of scientific analysis.”
Whereas the chief of the governance section in the European Union, Mr. Reine Neiland, ensured the importance of investing in technology because it represents the future. It also represents a valuable opportunity for the society, the economy, and the development. He expressed his pleasure in creating the first National Commission for space programs in Lebanon. He also focused on the importance of partnership between the public and private sector while giving universities important roles to play.
As for the Secretary General of the National Science Research Council, Professor Mouin Hamzeh, focused on the role of the Council in developing the youth’s competencies in the technological and scientific field, as well as creating jobs for them in an appropriate environment for knowledge economy.
He applauded the Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform for the support and the unique fostering H.E. accomplished. He also listed the training courses’ publications, adapted from the Engineering Model, which discusses the small satellites technology using computers to apply this advanced method and practicing the running of communications earth stations.
Professor Hamzeh announced the creation of a specialized research unit in the council proceeding to foster trainees. He focused on the importance of collaborating with 16 universities in the scientific analysis field. It is unfortunate that some comments on social media discuss the necessity to close official institutions that are pointless, including research centers. He considered these comments as offensive, unjust, and deviated for the truth. Countries do not develop without researches, and researches are the advisers for the state and the private sector as well. Professor Hamzeh hoped that this sort of cooperation would continue in the future with the Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform and with the European Union. At the end, certificated were distributed to the trainees.