Bijal “Bee” Thakore is currently the Regional Coordinator for youth space activities in Asia Pacific region for the Space Generation Advisory Council in support of the United Nations Programme on space applications. Her role includes liaison with local leaders and clubs and running regional projects with which youth groups and young students and professionals can gain experience of working in an international environment and build their leadership skills. Along with this passion, Bijal keeps a day job as the Teaching Associate for the Masters of Space Studies programmes at the International Space University in Strasbourg, France. She enjoys working with young motivated people and conducts inter disciplinary research on space exploration in robotics and Lunar In-Situ Resource Utilization.
Bijal has recently been elected as the youngest member of the Special Advisory Committee to the International Astronautical Federation on Space and Society. Bijal leads the 50 years visions project at SGAC and has given input to several high level delegations including a briefing to the ex-president of India, Hon Dr A P J Abul Kalam and the United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space in Vienna.
Bijal is active in several forums including those organizing symposia, new professional training and conferences for young professionals to mid-senior level executive, both at ISU and outside.
She has worked for the X PRIZE Foundation, largely famous for the Ansari X PRIZE that heralded private sub-orbital space tourism with Space Ship One. At X PRIZE Bijal devised prize concepts to bring radical breakthroughs in attempts to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges such as eradicating poverty and providing clean drinking water to all. Bijal started her career at Airbus UK in the Composites Research Unit and worked for Rolls-Royce Defence Aerospace Ltd as part of the experimental test team for the Adour Mk 951 Engine.
Bijal received her Masters in Aerospace Engineering with honours (2005) from University of Bath in the UK and her Masters in Space Management from ISU. She is an alumnus of the ISU Space Studies Program (formerly known as the Summer Session Program) in 2005 (Vancouver) and was a teaching associate at the first Space Odyssey Institute in 2007 (Beijing). She speaks five languages fluently and considers herself as a world citizen.
Halit Mirahmetoglu is an Astronomer with a degree on Astronomy and Space Sciences from Ege University. He conducted many outreach activities to increase the public awareness on space. Besides being lecturer on astrophotograpy at Ege University Observatory Amateur Astronomy Summer Schools, Counselor in SpaceCamp Turkey and expert observer in TUBITAK National Starparty sessions, he put together amateur and professional astronomers in Tutulum Amateur Astronomy Mailing List which became the focus point for Turkish Astronomers. He realised European Youth Projects such as "Eclipse Hunters", "Total Solar Eclipse As a Tool of Youth Science Education", "Under the Same Dome of the Sky" and "Space Games" with the contribution of many European NGOs and let many young people benefit from them.
Being inspired by the International Space University alumnus in SGAC network, he decided to join the ISU. Then, he participated to the SSP in 2007, in Beijing, China, where he specifically focused on Space and Society. He is acting as president of Izmir Astronomy Association and Middle-East Regional Coordinator of SGAC. He is currently working for State Planning Organisation of Turkey European Union Education and Youth Center, NGOs and EC SALTO as freelance trainer and consultant.
Bee and Halit are very excited about this new appointment and would like to share their ideas with the Space Generation Community:
Dear Space Generation,
It is an honour for us, Bee Thakore and Halit Mirahmetoglu to serve as co-liaisons for the International Year for Astronomy 2009 on behalf of SGAC. As people drawn to the wonders of our universe via astronomy, we relate to the vision and aim of the International Year of Astronomy and find it of the utmost importance that SGAC is involved in coordinating youth astronomy activities around the world. SGAC with its strong grassroots network of young space advocates – students and professionals alike can contribute significantly to helping with preparing material for education as well as facilitating effective distribution channels for regional and local levels.
For SGAC IYA activities, let us lay out what we have initially envisioned. We invite all SGAC members to work with us to enrich this with inclusion of your ideas and activities/interests.
- Work in conjunction with the IYA coordinating committee to increase the registered events in different regions by harnessing SGAC's widespread network
- Form a 'international youth working group' on Astronomy related topics for SGAC members where you can devise your own materials, projects, etc and share the experience from different countries
- Create via smaller groups, or communications team or the said working group educational materials that are of use for small projects within schools, student astronomy groups, planetaria etc
- Make a strong effort to promote astronomy in countries which are not space faring - the skies are available and free for all!
- If possible, work on highlighting youth contributions to astronomy education in different countries via SGAC tools (website, newsletter, other media, etc) and projects
- Host an astronomy project or workshop for SGAC members and open to all young people
- If possible, run a international competition relating art and astronomy - this could be an essay/art - paper and digital/ or movie competition in conjunction with IYA coordinating body's expectations
We look forward to hearing from you on the above suggestions - if you would like to add some or help bring about the above!
Ad Astra!
Bee and Halit
Receive the lastest announcements, discuss space-related topics with other members.