ISRO Prof is the new UN-affiliated body's Director

Bangalore, Dec 8: ISRO Honorary Distinguished Professor Dr George Joseph has taken charge as the Director of the United Nations affiliated Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific, Dehra Dun.

Dr Joseph took over on December six from Dr V K Dadhwal, Dean, Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Dehra Dun, who was holding additional charge of the post, an ISRO release here said today.

Dr Joseph had served at ISRO's Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad, since 1973 where he guided the development of earth observation remote sensors that put India among the premier nations with earth observing capability from space. He was conferred the 'Padma Bhushan' in 1999 for his distinguished achievements in remote sensing, the release said.

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs facilitated the setting up of the centre in November 1995, acting on recommendations by the UNISPACE-II (1982) conference and the UN Committee on the peaceful use of outer space, endorsed by the UN General Assembly.

The centre aimed at establishing national capabilities in the Asia-Pacific countries to design and implement education, research and application programmes in space science and technology.

UNI