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First African regional conference
Photogrammetria, 38 (1983) 131--160 Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam -- Printed in The Netherlands
131
News from the ISPRS FIRST AFRICAN REGIONAL CONFERENCE The ISPRS came to Africa for the first time in August, 1982 not through the "back d o o r " but through the "side d o o r " of intimacy. Under the auspices of ISPRS Commission VI (Working Group VI-8 in particular), the first (1982) African Regional Conference on Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Education t o o k place at Ile-Ife, Nigeria, during August 16--18, 1982. The meeting was held at the recently built charming Conference Centre of the University of Ife, Ile-Ife. The historic city of Ile-Ife, the centre of the Yoruba culture provided the ideal set-up for this conference which was attended by 32 participants from 8 countries. ISPRS was represented by Dr. A.J. Brandenberger (Chairman, ISPRS WG VI-1), Dr. S.K. Ghosh (Chairman, ISPRS WG VI-8) and Dr. O.O. Ayeni (Nigerian member in WG VI-8). The participation at this meeting was by invitation only and was limited to colleagues who are directly concerned with education in our fields in Africa. The United Nations, Economic Commission for Africa (Prof. A. Adedeji and Mr. F. Olujohungbe) and the F o o d and Agricultural Organisation (Dr. D.C. Nduaguba) were also aptly represented. Dr. S.O. Ihemadu, Director, Regional Centre for Training in Aerial Surveys (RECTAS) at Ile-Ife acted as the Conference Director. Mr. J.A. Ogunlami (of RECTAS) assisted the Conference Director as the Secretary for the Conference. The staff and students of the RECTAS and several colleagues in Nigeria did an excellent j o b in organizing this meeting and handling the affairs. Welcome addresses were delivered by Prof. C.A. Onwumechili, Vice-chancellor, University of Ife; Mr. O. Adebekun, Director, Nigerian Federal Surveys (on behalf of Prof. Sunday Essang, Hon. Minister of Works, Nigeria); and by Chief R.O. Coker, President, Commission for Geodesy in Africa and President, Nigeria Institution of Surveyors. The Conference was formally opened by Prof. A. Adedeji, Under Secretary General, United Nations and Executive Secretary, Economic Commission for Africa. There were all told 15 presentations and four panel discussions concerning the problems of Photogrammetry and R e m o t e Sensing Education in the African countries. The following communique issued at the end of the Conference indicates the general achievements of this conference. The associated functions included a technical excursion trip to the RECTAS where students from more than 20 countries in Africa are continuing their education at various levels. Our next Regional Conference will be held during Spring 1983 for the S.E. Asian region at the University of Technology, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The details of this meeting will be mailed shortly.
132 COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE RECTAS/ISPRS REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON "PHOTOGRAMMETRY AND REMOTE SENSING EDUCATION" HELD AT THE CONFERENCE CENTRE, UNIVERSITY OF IFE, ILE-IFE, NIGERIA DURING THE PERIOD 15--18 AUGUST, 1982 At the end of the "Regional Conference on Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing E d u c a t i o n " held at the Conference Centre, University o f Ife, Ile-Ife during the period 1 5 - - i 8 August, 1982 co-sponsored by the Regional Centre for Training in Aerial Surveys (RECTAS), Ile-Ife, Nigeria and the International Society for Photogrammetry and R e m o t e Sensing (ISPRS) COmmission VI, the following communique was issued. Inconsideration of the outstanding effort of the E.C.A. Regional Centre for Training in Aerial Surveys and the Nigerian Society of Photogrammetry and R e m o t e Sensing (N.S.P.R.S.), the first Regional Conference on Photogrammetry and R e m o t e Sensing Education was successful and proved to be very useful. In view of this it is recommended that: (1) Such Regional Conferences should be held as much as possible in various places. (2) In future, for more effectiveness and the achievement of greater benefits the participation at future Conferences should, in addition to the academic institutions, include public and private representation. (3) Participation at future Regional Conferences need n o t be limited to the African Region and the ISPRS but may also include representatives from other regions of the world, as well as from international organisations. (4) Future Conferences should include invited papers from experts within or outside the region in addition to presented papers. (5) Panel Discussion should be encouraged at future Conferences. (6) In view o f the impact of such Conferences on the Educational Status in this particular field, moral as well as financial assistance from International or other organisations would be highly appreciated. (7) Non-Commercial and Commercial exhibits should be encouraged. (8) In future, particular attention should be given to curriculum development in the various academic institutions with due consideration to regional and professional requirements in Photogrammetry and R e m o t e Sensing. (9) In view of observed gross inadequacies in the Region in training facilities (such as Manpower, Instrumentation and Library facilities), due attention should be given to this problem. (10) Special attention should be given to professional status and recognition of specialists in Photogrammetry and R e m o t e Sensing. (11) Due consideration should be given to developing advanced level education in Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, (12) Special attention should be given to the lack of Funding for Research and Development in Educational Institutions. (13) Necessary attention should be given to the need to complete questionnaires whenever circulated.
133 OBSERVATIONS
The following observations were made during the procedure of the Conference which related to the specific problems of RECTAS: (1) The necessary facilities should be made available to enable the Centre to expand its training activities; to this end, the assistance of international and bilateral assistances would be highly appreciated. (2) The decisions of the Governing Council should be made to conform with the objectives of the Centre. (3) The admission of private students who can pay should be encouraged. (4} Lecturers in the Centre should be encouraged to make effective and noticeable technical contributions with regard to production of papers at Conferences and Seminars. (5) There is the need for the interest of the majority of African Countries to be met by the Centre. This fact has to be taken into consideration in planning and development of the Centre. The participating countries should in return support the Centre financially to meet this need. (6) The size of the Library needs to be substantially increased. APPRECIATION
The Organising Committee wishes to express its appreciation to all contributors to the Conference, in particular, to the Regional Centre for Training in Aerial Surveys, the Commission VI of I.S.P.R.S., the University of Ife, the Federal Ministry of Works of Nigeria and the Nigerian Government for their support without which the Conference would n o t have been a Success.
Resolution C o m m i t t e e Members:
Prof. A.J. B r a n d e n b e r g e r - Chairman Prof. S.K. Ghosh Dr. S.O. Ihemadu Dr. O.O. Ayeni Mr. N. Moussedikou Mr. J.A. Ogunlami -- Secretary
131
News from the ISPRS FIRST AFRICAN REGIONAL CONFERENCE The ISPRS came to Africa for the first time in August, 1982 not through the "back d o o r " but through the "side d o o r " of intimacy. Under the auspices of ISPRS Commission VI (Working Group VI-8 in particular), the first (1982) African Regional Conference on Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Education t o o k place at Ile-Ife, Nigeria, during August 16--18, 1982. The meeting was held at the recently built charming Conference Centre of the University of Ife, Ile-Ife. The historic city of Ile-Ife, the centre of the Yoruba culture provided the ideal set-up for this conference which was attended by 32 participants from 8 countries. ISPRS was represented by Dr. A.J. Brandenberger (Chairman, ISPRS WG VI-1), Dr. S.K. Ghosh (Chairman, ISPRS WG VI-8) and Dr. O.O. Ayeni (Nigerian member in WG VI-8). The participation at this meeting was by invitation only and was limited to colleagues who are directly concerned with education in our fields in Africa. The United Nations, Economic Commission for Africa (Prof. A. Adedeji and Mr. F. Olujohungbe) and the F o o d and Agricultural Organisation (Dr. D.C. Nduaguba) were also aptly represented. Dr. S.O. Ihemadu, Director, Regional Centre for Training in Aerial Surveys (RECTAS) at Ile-Ife acted as the Conference Director. Mr. J.A. Ogunlami (of RECTAS) assisted the Conference Director as the Secretary for the Conference. The staff and students of the RECTAS and several colleagues in Nigeria did an excellent j o b in organizing this meeting and handling the affairs. Welcome addresses were delivered by Prof. C.A. Onwumechili, Vice-chancellor, University of Ife; Mr. O. Adebekun, Director, Nigerian Federal Surveys (on behalf of Prof. Sunday Essang, Hon. Minister of Works, Nigeria); and by Chief R.O. Coker, President, Commission for Geodesy in Africa and President, Nigeria Institution of Surveyors. The Conference was formally opened by Prof. A. Adedeji, Under Secretary General, United Nations and Executive Secretary, Economic Commission for Africa. There were all told 15 presentations and four panel discussions concerning the problems of Photogrammetry and R e m o t e Sensing Education in the African countries. The following communique issued at the end of the Conference indicates the general achievements of this conference. The associated functions included a technical excursion trip to the RECTAS where students from more than 20 countries in Africa are continuing their education at various levels. Our next Regional Conference will be held during Spring 1983 for the S.E. Asian region at the University of Technology, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The details of this meeting will be mailed shortly.
132 COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE RECTAS/ISPRS REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON "PHOTOGRAMMETRY AND REMOTE SENSING EDUCATION" HELD AT THE CONFERENCE CENTRE, UNIVERSITY OF IFE, ILE-IFE, NIGERIA DURING THE PERIOD 15--18 AUGUST, 1982 At the end of the "Regional Conference on Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing E d u c a t i o n " held at the Conference Centre, University o f Ife, Ile-Ife during the period 1 5 - - i 8 August, 1982 co-sponsored by the Regional Centre for Training in Aerial Surveys (RECTAS), Ile-Ife, Nigeria and the International Society for Photogrammetry and R e m o t e Sensing (ISPRS) COmmission VI, the following communique was issued. Inconsideration of the outstanding effort of the E.C.A. Regional Centre for Training in Aerial Surveys and the Nigerian Society of Photogrammetry and R e m o t e Sensing (N.S.P.R.S.), the first Regional Conference on Photogrammetry and R e m o t e Sensing Education was successful and proved to be very useful. In view of this it is recommended that: (1) Such Regional Conferences should be held as much as possible in various places. (2) In future, for more effectiveness and the achievement of greater benefits the participation at future Conferences should, in addition to the academic institutions, include public and private representation. (3) Participation at future Regional Conferences need n o t be limited to the African Region and the ISPRS but may also include representatives from other regions of the world, as well as from international organisations. (4) Future Conferences should include invited papers from experts within or outside the region in addition to presented papers. (5) Panel Discussion should be encouraged at future Conferences. (6) In view o f the impact of such Conferences on the Educational Status in this particular field, moral as well as financial assistance from International or other organisations would be highly appreciated. (7) Non-Commercial and Commercial exhibits should be encouraged. (8) In future, particular attention should be given to curriculum development in the various academic institutions with due consideration to regional and professional requirements in Photogrammetry and R e m o t e Sensing. (9) In view of observed gross inadequacies in the Region in training facilities (such as Manpower, Instrumentation and Library facilities), due attention should be given to this problem. (10) Special attention should be given to professional status and recognition of specialists in Photogrammetry and R e m o t e Sensing. (11) Due consideration should be given to developing advanced level education in Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, (12) Special attention should be given to the lack of Funding for Research and Development in Educational Institutions. (13) Necessary attention should be given to the need to complete questionnaires whenever circulated.
133 OBSERVATIONS
The following observations were made during the procedure of the Conference which related to the specific problems of RECTAS: (1) The necessary facilities should be made available to enable the Centre to expand its training activities; to this end, the assistance of international and bilateral assistances would be highly appreciated. (2) The decisions of the Governing Council should be made to conform with the objectives of the Centre. (3) The admission of private students who can pay should be encouraged. (4} Lecturers in the Centre should be encouraged to make effective and noticeable technical contributions with regard to production of papers at Conferences and Seminars. (5) There is the need for the interest of the majority of African Countries to be met by the Centre. This fact has to be taken into consideration in planning and development of the Centre. The participating countries should in return support the Centre financially to meet this need. (6) The size of the Library needs to be substantially increased. APPRECIATION
The Organising Committee wishes to express its appreciation to all contributors to the Conference, in particular, to the Regional Centre for Training in Aerial Surveys, the Commission VI of I.S.P.R.S., the University of Ife, the Federal Ministry of Works of Nigeria and the Nigerian Government for their support without which the Conference would n o t have been a Success.
Resolution C o m m i t t e e Members:
Prof. A.J. B r a n d e n b e r g e r - Chairman Prof. S.K. Ghosh Dr. S.O. Ihemadu Dr. O.O. Ayeni Mr. N. Moussedikou Mr. J.A. Ogunlami -- Secretary