All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the Indian Space Association (ISpA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop a new generation of space engineers. This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between academia and the burgeoning private space sector in India, which is currently facing a shortage of trained professionals.
The newly launched space tech curriculum will cover a wide array of subjects, from the fundamentals of launch vehicle systems to advanced space data products and services. This initiative marks a substantial step towards integrating space technology into engineering education, providing students with the tools and knowledge to thrive in India’s emerging space industry.
At a space symposium held in Delhi, AICTE Chairman T.G. Sitharam emphasized the importance of this partnership in spreading awareness and understanding of space technology among students and faculty. “Through webinars, events, and exhibitions, we aim to familiarize students with the vast potential of space technology and its applications,” Sitharam said. He highlighted that the initiative would also increase exposure to new technology developments, both nationally and internationally, and offer students orientation programs that explore opportunities within the space sector.
The collaboration between AICTE and ISpA will also facilitate industry interactions, providing opportunities for students to participate in industry familiarization visits, internships, and potential job placements. Additionally, technology challenges and hackathons will be organized to engage teams of space-tech enthusiasts from AICTE-approved engineering institutions.
The push to incorporate space curricula into engineering institutes has been in the works for some time. In June, Pawan Goenka, chairman of the Indian National Space Promotions and Authorization Centre (In-Space), stated in an interview that the domestic space industry is still in its nascent stages. He mentioned ongoing efforts to introduce dedicated space sector curricula in Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and other engineering colleges across India.
Sitharam further elaborated on the initiative, noting that the new space technology curriculum, developed in collaboration with In-Space, is designed to support the future of India’s space ecosystem. “The future of India’s space ecosystem is envisioned to be highly automated, flexible, and economically viable,” he said. “A robust space infrastructure will not only enable the growth of innovative applications but also foster competitive services. The necessity to support cost-efficient, responsive, and flexible approaches to space cannot be overstated.
”Somanath, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the economic impact of India’s space program. “If India counts every rupee that has been spent on our space programme since its genesis until now, we’ve produced an economic impact to the tune of 2.5x of the investment,” Somanath said. He highlighted the significant value created by the space sector, which has contributed to job creation and support systems for various industries, including agriculture, natural resource planning, and disaster management.
Somanath also issued an “open call” for space entrepreneurs, underlining the importance of the first-generation space curriculum as a means to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the sector. The vision for India’s space sector is ambitious, with projections indicating a potential valuation of $44 billion by 2033—a significant increase from its current estimated valuation of $8 billion.
Also read: Bridging the Gap: AICTE’s Vision for Modernising Technical Education
The recent Union budget, which allocated a ₹1,000 crore venture fund for space startups, was well-received by industry stakeholders. Narayan Prasad Nagendra, Chief Operating Officer of space startup Satsearch, welcomed the move, noting that it could encourage foreign investments and further propel India’s space ambitions.
With the MoU between AICTE and ISpA, India is taking decisive steps towards nurturing its next generation of space engineers, ensuring that the country remains at the forefront of global space exploration and innovation.
