Why undergraduates need to think space – Foundation

Learnspace Foundation, an NGO, on Thursday, encouraged students to develop interest in space, saying that it appears abstract but has diverse opportunities.

Dr Anne Agi, President of the foundation, in an interview with the newsmen, said that everything about human existence revolved around space science technology.

“Most people think that space is abstract and it doesn’t affect our country, but technically, that is not true, space is everything, space is bigger than what we think.

“The private sector is really engaging and the possibilities are endless, what you need to do is to equip yourself because the opportunities will come.

“You need to understand that times are changing, this is the time to get interested,’’ she said.

Agi, also a Space Law lecturer at the University of Calabar, Cross River, said that most thoughts about space science technology were at some point speculations until proven to be true.

The foundation’s president added that the globe was continuously engaging in writing papers, making arguments, having conferences, seminars, all to understand space science.

”The more we rub minds, go for mute courts competitions, the benefits will come.

“I am going to encourage anyone that is remotely interested in space to actively get interested.

“Since I got into space there has never been a down time and the opportunities keep opening, in spite of the non availability of funds,’’ she said.

Agi recognised that few Nigerian universities offered courses around space science technology like Space Law, Astronomy, Space Engineering, adding that interested students shouldn’t be discouraged.

She further said that the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC), had given universities a certain percentage to grant courses that impacted their communities, hence Space law in UNICAL.

“NUC just adopted a new pattern of curriculum for universities where a certain percentage are the recommended courses and 35 per cent is for the university.

“Whatever courses the university wants to do within that 35 per cent impact in their community is left for them.

“NUC has given universities that leeway, it is left for the universities to recognise that it is a viable branch of law and undertake it under their elective courses,’’ she said.

Agi added that the Learnspace foundation was committed to propagating space education, engaging relevant stakeholders to promote space activities in the country and globally.

She said that the major challenge towards understanding space among the people, was poor awareness, but they were advancing in creating the awareness, in spite of paucity of funds.

Agi said, “We have raised an entire generation of students who are very interested in space and knowledge because they went for space law competitions.

“We are still contending with the disbelief of people but we are doing our best.’’