BUILDING A WORKFORCE TO SUPPORT A NATIONAL SPACE PROGRAMME

Paper number

IAC-09.E1.7.3

Author

Prof. Mazlan Othman, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, Austria

Year

2009

Abstract

The workforce is an essential building block of a space programme. Hence, a
well structured
and properly implemented strategy for building this workforce is an
indispensable first step in
the creation of such a programme.  In Malaysia, careful mapping of the way
forward and strategic tapping of  resources were the reasons an increase in
capability and
capacity was achieved in a relatively short time. International linkages
and programmes
which were deliberately  harnessed  served to shorten the development time,
while spreading the capacity over a wide range of human capital groupings,
from primary
and secondary schools to universities and to the private sector, ensured
that  a robust workforce
pool was brought forth. Just as importantly, the environment for the
creation and retention of this
human resource had to be given due consideration, especially as this
critical-mass workforce
had to be multi-talented and well trained, and they  had  to be
resourceful, creative and
innovative as well, given the fact that the space programme was
continuously under pressure to justify
itself. Today Malaysia has the critical number of scientists and engineers
with the skills to execute
the entire development and operation cycle of a satellite programme and has
a large human
resource base related to space applications. From the United Nations
perspective, the seeds for
cultivating a workforce to support a national space programme are sown in
our capacity building
programmes that cover space science, technology and applications and space
law and policy.
A space policy, in particular, is a very important component of a space
programme as it will
ensure the sustainability of institutions established and will be able to
specifically address issues
related to nurturing of a sustainable workforce and a space industry.

Abstract document

IAC-09.E1.7.3.pdf

Manuscript document

(absent)