The inaugural Space Generation [ASEAN] Workshop was held on 31st January 2018, in conjunction with the 10th Global Space and Technology Convention. SG[ASEAN] provides university students and young professionals with a platform to discuss issues pertinent to the rapidly developing ASEAN space industry. Jointly organised by the Space Generation Advisory Council and the Singapore Space and Technology Association, the workshop saw 60-70 participants gathering at the National University of Singapore.
The full day event included a series of engaging panel discussions with regional space heads and industry experts, and three concurrent Working Groups.
The first panel, ASEAN Space Community: Challenges and Common Future, tackled the shared issues that the region faces and highlighted the importance of ASEAN space cooperation. In particular, the possibility of sharing resources and common environmental and disaster management issues were debated. On the panel was Beh Kian Teik, Assistant Managing Director of Singapore’s Economic Development Board; Dr Noordin Ahmad, Director-General of Malaysia’s space agency ANGKASA; and Dr Rogel Mari Sese, Program Leader of the Philippines’ National Space Development Programme.
The second panel, ASEAN’s Place in Space – Outside Perspectives, centered around immediate issues and ways ASEAN could contribute to developments in the global space scene. The speakers featured industry veterans like Prof. Dan Hastings, CEO & Director of the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research & Technology; Dr. Ricky J. Lee, Adjunct Professor of Law at Australia’s University of Notre Dame; and Joerg Kreisel, CEO of JKIC and Chairman, IBOSS GMBH.
Following the panel discussions, participants got the opportunity to discuss and offer recommendations for three Working Group topics. The first group dealt with Roadmap towards ASEAN Space Cooperation, while the second group concerned Space Sustainability for Emerging Space States. The last working group explored the Future ASEAN Space Economy.
A Working Group in action.
Amongst the attendees were delegates represented by at least 10 countries. They came not only from ASEAN countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, and Singapore, but as far away as China, Japan, India, and Romania.
One Young Professional delegate, who flew in for the event, shared their experience:
The one thing that has impressed and inspired me the most is all the people involved! It’s a privilege to be able to share the same passion with people from different backgrounds and to work with them. SG[ASEAN] has given a real platform to young professionals and students to actually speak out on space issues on an international level and interact with fellow enthusiasts from neighboring countries. One thing that is sure is that I’m going to get involved in the next one and hopefully get to work with these people again.
A total of 12 delegates were awarded the SSTA Young ASEAN Space Leaders Support Fund, allowing them to attend the 10th Global Space and Technology Convention without the normal registration fee.
A Working Group in discussion.
The event wrapped up with a presentation by Ayami Kojima from the Space Applications Section of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, and a speech by the Head of Indonesia’s Space Agency LAPAN, Prof Thomas Djamaluddin. The latter had attended the event at the end of the day, immediately after landing in Singapore from Jakarta.
Ultimately, SG[ASEAN] succeeded in its goal of providing a platform for students and young professionals to connect and work on the future of space in ASEAN. Talks are underway to discuss the possibility of turning SG[ASEAN] into an annual event in the regional space calendar.
