Stars and STEM Stories
Climate Conference Launches SCRC Initiatives in Asia-Pacific Region
The Indian Environmental Society, in association with the GLOBE Asia-Pacific Regional Office, launched GLOBE Student Climate Research Campaign (SCRC) activities at the Earth Science and Climate Change Research Conference, held from 25-28 September 2011, at the Goa International Center in India. The conference was supported by the American Centre-Mumbai, the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India, and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. More than 160 GLOBE students, teachers, and scientists from India, Nepal, Thailand, and the USA, emerging research scholars and scientists from academic and research institutions, and representatives from various voluntary organizations participated in the event.
Dr. Desh Bandhu, Director of the GLOBE Asia-Pacific Regional Office, gave a warm welcome to participants and explained that the goal of the event was "to bring GLOBE students, teachers, and scientists together with representatives from volunteer organizations under one roof to promote research activities centered on Earth science and climate research in order to produce fruitful data contributions to the GLOBE SCRC." Dr. Bandhu expressed his hope that this event will motivate future scientists in the region to remain engaged in GLOBE research activities and that the SCRC will strengthen GLOBE activities throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Ms. Angela Gemza, Deputy Director of Public Affairs at the American Embassy in Mumbai, India also addressed participants, expressing the pleasure of the American Center in Mumbai to support the event and their commitment to the continued support of the GLOBE Program and the SCRC in India. Ms. Gemza concluded her speech by donating GLOBE instrument kits to representatives from Nepal and from Thailand to encourage collaborative regional projects.
Conference activities included cultural programs, poster and model exhibitions, scientific lectures, and research presentations from both students and scientists. More than 40 students from GLOBE schools in Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Punjab, and Rajasthan in India, and various schools in Thailand participated in approximately 30 poster presentations. Scientists and research scholars from universities and research organizations delivered an additional 15 presentations. The Asia-Pacific Regional Office distributed GLOBE instrument kits to all schools; students and scientists then conducted field work together at local GLOBE study sites located in various ecological zones throughout the city to study the impacts of climate change. In addition, interactive sessions between the students and scientists from India, Nepal and Thailand allowed the students to describe their ongoing project ideas and receive advice for continued advancements in their research.
Ms. Parichat Puangmanee, GLOBE Thailand Assistant Country Coordinator along with a delegation of students and teachers from Thailand, and GLOBE Nepal Country Coordinator Mr. Binod Shrestha, also addressed the participants. In addition, Dr. R. K. Garg, GLOBE Master Trainer for Hydrology in India, delivered an inspirational presentation and thanked all teachers and students for their GLOBE research activities as did Dr. Gulahan Wadhwa, Director of the Department of Biotechnology from the government of India, Dr. Ramesh Kumar, Scientist from the National Institute of Oceanography, and Dr. Joseph Disuza, Scientist from the Goa Science and Technology Department. Dr. Kumar also shared an exciting video presentation that detailed his expedition to Antarctica and spoke about his experiences. Students were excited at the prospect of conducting their own research activities on climate change.
The GLOBE Program Office commends all academic scholars, scientists, and students who joined the GLOBE Asia-Pacific regional office team in this important step to promote climate research throughout the region and help to launch the GLOBE Student Climate Research Campaign.
For more information about GLOBE student research events in the Asia-Pacific region please see the following Stars:
- GLOBE Students Celebrate Earth's Forests and Water Sources with Two Day Campaign in Sri Lanka
- Thailand Enhances GLOBE Student Research Experience with Earth System Science Projects
- Students in Japan Share GLOBE Experiences with Local Scientists
2 December 2011