March 2010 News Roundup News Roundup 1 CAS Vice President Inspects CEODE CAS Vice President Inspects CEODE 1 Signing Ceremony of the Int’l Program Office for IRDR held in Beijing Accompanied by large science facility DONG Yongchu, Vice operation, multi-source 2 Officials from Ministry of Director-General of the data application, and Environment Protection Visit CAS Bureau for High-tech CEODE interdisciplinary integration, Research and Development, and to play a greater 3 Officials from AGRS Inspect CAS Vice President YIN role in data acquisition, Sanya Ground Station Hejun made an inspection interpretation, application 3 A Sino-US Roundtable on Data of CEODE on March 15. He and dissemination, as well as Collaboration Convenes in L. A. met with CEODE leaders, CAS VP Yin Hejun makes an important speech. technological development executives and researchers. and information services. 4 CEODE 2010 Annual Working After listening to a report on the Meeting For further development, Yin stressed, CEODE overall development, scientific research and should make an overall plan, give priority to major 4 CEODE Engineer Sits on Disaster facility operation, Prof. Yin fully affirmed tasks, and implement its work step by step. To that Mitigation Committee in Kashgar the achievements of CEODE since its end, he said, CEODE should: establishment, including the construction of — Aim at the frontiers of science and Scientific Research new scientific facilities, the implementation of technology according to the national demands; many major S&T projects, the cultivation of — Focus on major projects such as the 4 CEODE System for Data professionals, and international cooperation. National Earth Observation Satellite Ground Extraction Used in Damage He highlighted CEODE’s important role and Station Net and the Airborne Remote Sensing Evaluation of Haiti Earthquake strategic orientation from various aspects, System in ; and, 5 Research Finds Solution to RS ranging from history of science and technology, — Conduct research into new-types of Image Calibration Model the CAS Knowledge Innovation Program to sensors and spatial information techniques. 6 Advances in Understanding the institutional innovation. By carrying out its strategic planning and Mechanisms Underlying Space He called on S&T workers at CEOCE seizing the opportunities for development, Observations of Global Change- to explore new research fields by taking full CEODE will become a comprehensive research Sensitive Factors advantage of their skills and experience in institution with worldwide influence.

INT'L COOP Signing Ceremony of the Int’l Program Office for IRDR held in Beijing 6 GUO Huadong Delivers a Keynote Speech at IAP Plenary Session On February 22, the Signing Ceremony representatives from around the world, including 7 Brazilian Delegation Visits CEODE of the International Program Office (IPO) Prof. Deliang CHEN, Executive Director of for the Integrated Research on Disaster Risk International Council for Science (ICSU), 7 CEODE Expert Accomplishes UNESCO Training Tasks in Africa (IRDR) convened in Beijing. It was attended by CHENG Donghong, Executive Secretary of China Association for Science and 8 GUO Huadong Honored with Technology (CAST) and Prof. TAN Doctor Honoris Causa at Curtin University of Technology Tieniu, Deputy Secretary-General of CAS. 8 Academic Symposia on Earth Located in CEODE, IPO Observation and Digital Earth becomes the first international office of a big science program ever

Center for Earth Observation and Digital Earth established in Asia. IRDR is a decade- Chinese Academy of Sciences long integrated research program co- No.9 Beiyitiao Road, Zhongguancun sponsored by ICSU, the International Haidian District, Beijing 100190, China Social Science Council (ISSC) and the Signing of Letter of Cooperation. Tel: 010-58887301 Fax: 010-58887302 E-mail: [email protected] 1 Website: www.ceode.cas.cn Center for Earth Observation and Digital Earth Chinese Academy of Sciences

only the development of all disciplines, and CAS President LU Yongxiang, stating but also scientific and technological that the proposal was officially approved. exchanges. She spoke highly of the The establishment of the office will opening of the IPO-IRDR in Beijing and not only help enhance the competence expected that it will raise the level of in the field of disaster prevention and disaster prevention and reduction for the mitigation within China, but also the wellbeing of people all over the world. management and coordination capacity, There was also a positive response thus exerting a wider impact on the ICSU website carries the news of Dr Jane from Dr. Heide Hackmann, Secretary international arena. In addition, since the Rovins's appointment as the Executive Director of new disaster research programme. General of the International Social Science research program gives importance to Council (ISSC), as well as Dr. Reid Basher, the combination of natural sciences with United Nations International Strategy for Special Advisor to UN Assistant Secretary social sciences, it is expected to further Disaster Reduction (UN-ISDR). It brings General for Disaster Risk Reduction promote cooperation among related together experts from the natural, social, (UN-ISDR). They thought highly of the organizations within China. medical and engineering sciences to deal cooperation and made a commitment to Following an extensive international with the challenges brought by those the smooth conduction and remarkable search undertaken by ICSU, ISSC and UN- natural or man-induced disasters, mitigate achievement of the program in all fields. ISDR, Dr Jane Rovins (USA) has been the impact of the disasters and improve As Prof. Tan Tieniu concluded, appointed as Executive Director of IRDR. the policymaking mechanism. The IPO China enjoyed considerable advantages She will take up her post at the end of this is established to support the realization and international reputation in the areas May. One of her first tasks is to establish of this program, and its objectives are the of disaster prevention and mitigation. the IPO for IRDR located in CEODE. scientific characterization of the hazards Hosted by CEODE, IPO-IRDR would Graduated from the Tulane and risks; the understanding of decision- enhance world scientific research and University Law School, New Orleans, making in complex and changing risk the level of disaster prevention and with the research interests of international contexts; and the reduction of risks and mitigation and contribute significantly to development and disaster management, Dr losses through knowledge-based actions. emergency prevention and control. Rovins is currently Associate Professor at The signing ceremony, chaired by Prof. The IRDR is a major new 10-year the American Military University, where LIANG Yingnan, Deputy Director-General international research program that aims she gives graduate and undergraduate of Department of International Affairs, to provide answers to growing global courses on risk analysis, mitigation CAST, proceeded in a joyous atmosphere problems of disasters and how countries and disaster management. She is also with spectacular speeches delivered by the can reduce the root causes of disaster risks. a senior planner with a private-sector attendances. Prof. Chen expressed his warm Teaming up with the CAS, in February company providing hazards mitigation welcome to guests of all parties and gave 2009, CAST submitted a proposal to the and emergency management training. She a high appraisal to the establishment of ICSU to host the IOP in China. During has worked for the Federal Emergency such a comprehensive research program on August 3-5 that year, an evaluation panel Management Agency (FEMA) on disaster risks. As he expected, it is feasible formed by ICSU and ISSC came to mitigation and responses to events such to further the scientific and technological Beijing for an investigation on China’s as Hurricanes Katrina and Ivan. She has collaboration between the parties. scientific capacity in the field of disaster lived and worked in West Africa, Latin In addition to extending a warm prevention and mitigation. The panel America and the Asia-Pacific region, and congratulation, Cheng regarded the finally gave the proposal the green light. developed a work-plan for the ASEAN IPO-IRDR construction as a substantial As a result, on November 6, ICSU sent a Regional Forum on disaster preparedness international collaboration to promote not letter to Prof. , CAST President and relief adopted in July 2009.

Officials from Ministry of Environment Protection Visit CEODE

Prof. WU Guozeng, Director of general of CEODE, briefed the visitors the Center for Satellite Application for on CEODE and its S&T strengths and Environmental Protection under Chinese potentials in environmental monitoring Ministry of Environmental Protection, via remote-sensing technology. Prof. Wu and Prof. WANG Qiao, Chief Engineer made an introduction to his center about of the Center, visited CEODE on January its establishment background, construction 11. The two sides held talks on further developments, future planning and recent collaboration. priorities. After an intensive discussion, Prof. ZHANG Bing, Vice Director- the two parties reached a consensus on CEODE Deputy Director Zhang Bing makes a report.

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cooperation in the following aspects: index for follow-up environmental Prof. GUO Huadong, CEODE development of an aerial remote sensing satellites, a platform for the development Director, said that the partnership system to deal with emergent environment and application of environmental remote- between CEODE and governmental disasters, applied studies of SAR technology sensing software, data services, international departments could promote technology for the environmental protection, payload cooperation and talent training. transfer and satisfy national needs.

Officials from AGRS Inspect Sanya Ground Station

On March 28, officials from China was put into operation on January 27, Aero Geophysical Survey & Remote 2009, thereby expanding CEODE's Sensing Center for Land and Resources data reception coverage to the South (AGRS), China Land Surveying & China Sea and its geographic regions. Planning Institute (CLSPI) etc, made Upon the completion of the network of an inspection tour to the three stations (Miyun Sanya Ground Station of Ground Station in Visitors observe the Station's operation. CEODE in south China's Beijing, Kashi Ground Hainan Province. They Station in Xinjiang, from three to eight. The network will observed the Station's Sanya Ground Station also cover 70% of the Asian landmass. operation and gave in Hainan), China’s It is believed that the project will serve important instructions on receiving coverage for to enhance China’s capacity of earth its future development. remote-sensing data will observation and its application on a The 1st 12m-aperture be extended from 80% large scale, facilitate the decision- receiving system in to 100% of its territory making of the government and exert a the station passed the The 1st 12m-aperture with the number of huge impact on the civilian-use earth Receiving System in Sanya acceptance check and Ground Station antennae increasing observation programs in China.

A Sino-US Roundtable on Data Collaboration Convenes in L. A.

The Fourth Session of the China- amongst more than 50 scholars and US Roundtable on Scientific Data scientists in information technology, Cooperation was held in Los Angeles, earth sciences and medical science. TAN USA on March 29 and 30, 2010. It was co- Tieniu, Deputy Secretary-General of CAS, chaired by Prof. GUO Huadong, Director- and LIAO Fangyu, Deputy Director of Deneral of CEODE, and Prof. Roberta CAS General Office, attended the opening Balstad, former president of the Center for ceremony, while Tan made a keynote International Earth Science Information address on "Cyber-infrastructure." Network, Columbia University (CIESIN). As one of the crucial units of In his theme report "Global Change CODATA, CEODE representatives Prof. Guo Huadong hosts the meeting. Study and Data Sharing in China," Prof. actively took part in the seminars with Guo systematically described the global excellent talks, including “Historical of relative enforcement mechanisms. change research carried out in China and Disaster Data Grid for Natural Disaster For instance, the State Seismological its accomplishments so far, analyzed Events” by Prof. LI Guoqing, “The Status Bureau (SSB) and the United States the updated earth observation data on of Seismology Data Sharing in China” and Geological Survey (USGS) reached an global change, and called for an intensive “Land Surface Global Change Sensitive agreement on the exchange and sharing collaboration of both sides in global Factors Study Using Remote Sensing of seismic monitoring data. Moreover, change research. Technique” by Prof. FAN Xiangtao. the notion of Global Historical Disaster Based upon bilateral cooperation The roundtable was fruitful. The Data Grid proposed by CEODE on data sharing and cyber infrastructure two sides reached a consensus on scientists, received full support of the (remote sensing data, seismic data, sharing of earthquake monitoring data roundtable representatives. A regular environmental data, medical data, etc.), and global grid sharing of historical platform serving as an effective approach an in-depth discussion was undertaken disaster data, giving rise to the formation to promoting bilateral cooperation

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on research into S&T databases has CEODE, China Internet Network underlying China-US joint projects primarily established by the collaborative Information Center (CNNIC). Finally, through the US National Science construction of various units involved, an extensive discussion was conducted Foundation and the Natural Science including U.S. Geological Survey, regarding incentive mechanisms Foundation of China.

CEODE 2010 Annual Working Meeting

CEODE held its 2010 Annual — Make a foresighted plan for future Working Meeting on March 12 and 13, development; 2010. It was attended by CEODE leaders, — Contribute to national S&T professionals, and executives. construction in all aspects; and, Mr. WANG Xiaoming, CEODE’s — Improve scientific management Vice Secretary of CPC Committee, level in Party building. conveyed the gist of speeches by CAS Director-General GUO Huadong President LU Yongxiang and CAS delivered the 2010 Work Report at the Executive Vice President meeting. He pointed out that, in 2009, at the CAS 2010 Annual Meeting. In CEODE explored the frontiers of science A heated discussion in the meeting order to upgrade innovation capacity and technology, and earnestly performed and make breakthroughs in reform and its duties and missions in operating remote — Follow the guidance of Scientific development, he called on all members sensing facilities and promoting the Outlook on Development; of CEODE to: application and development of Digital — Strengthen awareness of — Keep in mind the role of CAS Earth and spatial information in China, competition, opportunity and innovation; as the “locomotive” in China’s S&T making remarkable achievements in such and, development; aspects as facility operation, scientific — Plan for future advances in major — Strongly promote the “Spirit of research, international cooperation and scientific and technological development CAS”; management innovation. In addition, he system according to China’s key demands — Positively respond to the call of listed 30 priorities in 9 key tasks for 2010, in the 12th Five-Year Plan period CAS for the “Innovation 2010 Program”; requiring CEODE staff to: (2011—2015).

CEODE Engineer Sits on Disaster Mitigation Committee in Kashgar

Prof. ZHAO Weiyuan, Director of The mission of the committee is largest extent, and safeguard people’s the CEODE Kashi Station, was recently to upgrade local capacity in dealing life and properties. Prof. Zhao’s appointed a member of the committee with disasters, and conduct studies on appointment shows that high-tech of disaster reduction of Kashigar, related guide principles, policies and technologies of CEODE will play an a prefecture of the Xinjiang Uygur planning. It will also coordinate rescue important role in disaster mitigation at Autonomous Region. operations, reduce disaster losses to the various levels.

Scientific Research

CEODE System for Data Extraction Used in Damage Evaluation of Haiti Earthquake

A system independently developed With aid from this system, CEODE by CEODE capable of automatically swiftly processed RS images before picking up remote-sensing (RS) and after the earthquake and made an information on seismic collapse of interpretation and statistical analysis of buildings was successfully applied to the the collapsed buildings in Port-au-Prince, damage evaluation of Haiti Earthquake. capital city of Haiti. A pre-earthquake TM image of the disaster- hit area on Nov.26,2009

4 March 2010

At 5:53:10 (GMT +8:00) on Jan large proportion of ruined buildings, of 13, 2010, a catastrophic magnitude 7.3 which mostly fell to pieces. Buildings Ms earthquake occurred around Haitian in the west and southeast regions of capital Port-au-Prince. Many countries and the city were also seriously damaged. organizations around the world took quick The wreckage occupied a total area 2 action to evaluate its damage and mitigate An automatically-extracted image of the of 6.59 km , counting for 5.9% of the the losses. Based on its experiences quake-collapsed buildings total area of the city, which is 110.8 gained during the RS monitoring in wake km2, and 20% of the total building area. of Wenchuan Earthquake in May 2008, Differences in architecture structures CEODE made timely contributions. and materials, as well as differences in The damage level and distribution geological conditions and earthquake of collapsed buildings are direct intensity across regions might have parameters indicating the casualties of caused the varied distribution. The top an earthquake. However, traditionally structures of some damaged buildings Classification of the collapse of housing scientists need to compare pre- and post- distribution. remained well-preserved, leaving them quake observations by unaided-eye to difficult to be directly identified from interpret the RS images. This approach resolution color RS image taken after the RS image. On the other hand, the has weaknesses when urgent events the quake. With this system, it took only varied styles of interpretation inherent turn up, as the timing is critical in these three minutes for the team to create a to different engineers also had some cases. In the urgent monitoring and Geoeye image with collapsed buildings influences on the hierarchic statistical evaluation for Wenchuan Earthquake, a indicated in quake-stricken Port-au- analysis. CEODE team developed a rapid auto- Prince. discovery and extraction system for The RS data for this rapid auto- RS information on collapsed buildings, extraction and tracking analysis came whose auto-extraction arithmetic model from a 1m-resolution Geoeye satellite can automatically and rapidly recognize image taken after the quake and a collapsed buildings from only one high- 30m-resolution TM5 image before the disaster. Analysis indicated that buildings collapsed in large area and debris distributed widely across the quake-stricken region. The downtown area, where the president residence The left image is an extraction of collapsed A high-resolution optical image of the quake- buildings while the right shows collapsed hit area received by GeoEye on Jan.13,2010. is located, suffered the most with a government buildings.

Research Finds Solution to RS Image Calibration Model

On January 27, 2010, Research on a After the hearing of defence, the expert testing. They also provided a stable Reliable Solution to the Remote Sensing panel gave high praises to the project, method for solving rational function ill- Image Calibration Model, a research saying that it had overfulfilled its tasks. conditioned equations, exploring ways for project undertaken by the Department Centering on a reliable solution to selecting automatic models for the control of Deep Processing of CEODE with the remote sensing image calibration points with proved results in practical the support of the National High-tech model, the researchers have proposed production application. The “remote Development Program (dubbed 863 effective and feasible approaches as sensing automatic orthographical system” program), passed the inspection by a well as methods for gross error testing based on this project features high technical expert panel organized by the at control points based on hypothesis precision and standard specifications, and National Remote Sensing Center of China. is able to yield complete information, and Having heard a work report made thus meets the requirements of industrial by JIAO Weili (associate researcher in applications. After three years of efforts, charge of this project), the expert panel the project has overfulfilled its task: watched the demonstration of the “remote filing for 3 invention patents, making sensing automatic orthographical system” registration on 5 terms of software and examined the software test report and copyright, publishing 20 academic theses A comparative TM images: before calibration raised questions on precision correction. (left), after calibration (right). and training 12 graduate students.

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Advances in Understanding the Mechanisms Underlying Space Observations of Global Change-Sensitive Factors

February 1, 2010, witnessed the topics made respective overviews of their opening of the annual conference for annual implementation, research progress, "Mechanisms and Methods for Space- existing problems and countermeasures as based Observations of Global Change- well as the schedule for the next year. The Sensitive Factors," a project supported conference also arranged a theme report by the National Basic Research Program on Comparative Studies of Environmental and coordinated by CEODE with the Change via Remote Sensing Technology, participation of the CAS Institute of a cooperative project between China, A group photo of the participants. Tibetan Plateau Research (ITP), the CAS Australia, Brazil and Canada (dubbed Institute of Technical Physics (ITEP), ABCC program), and nine academic and Prof. Zhu Tan also made in-depth Wuhan University, the CAS Institute reports given by Prof. LǙ Daren and Chen discussions on how to achieve objectives of Atmospheric Physics (IAP), the Ge, etc. for this project and score innovative Ocean University of China and Beihang At the conference, Xu Guanhua and results. The expert panel and the project University. More than 90 experts in this Tong Qingxi both delivered speeches. team also conducted seminar discussions. project attended this two-day conference They fully affirmed the importance and According to the summary made by in Beijing. Among them were members of progress of the project, and stressed that Prof. Guo Huadong, the objectives of the expert panel including CAS Member increased attention should be paid to this project in 2010 would focus on the XU Guanhua (former minister of Science global issues in global change research capacity of space-based observations of and Technology), CAS Member TONG by focusing on interdisciplinary studies global change factors, monitoring results Qingxi, Prof. ZHANG Liangpei and Prof. and strengthening research on universally of typical global change phenomena, CHEN Ge, as well as project consultants adaptive modes so as to provide adequate the program for global change including Prof. LIN Zongjian, Prof. ZHU scientific evidence for China’s responses satellite science, and the information Tan, and Prof. JIA Yunde. to global changes. CAS Member LǙ simulation platform for global change, On February 1, Prof. GUO Huadong, Daren and Prof. Chen Ge gave academic etc. Moreover, it was encouraged to the project’s chief scientist, gave a reports entitled “Some Understandings of speed up the research on global data report on the project’s annual progress. Global Change and Space Observations” acquisition and global monitoring, It introduced the project situation, the and “Precise Extraction of Natural carbon monitoring and evaluation, and implementation of the annual plan, main Oscillation Model of Marine Atmosphere other space-based observation methods, research results, important progress as well against Global Climate Change”, to enhance interdisciplinary studies, as key points for the 2010 annual plan. respectively. accelerate research progress, and join Scientists in charge of different research Prof. Lin Zongjian, Prof. Jia Yunde ABCC science programs.

INT'L COOP

GUO Huadong Delivers a Keynote Speech at IAP Plenary Session

Upon the invitation of the particular, he summarized the scientific InterAcademy Panel on International understandings developed by his team Issues (IAP), Prof. GUO Huadong, Chief about the mechanisms and laws of Scientist of the IAP Program on Natural disaster formation and related scientific Disaster Mitigation and Director-General issues. He also stressed the importance of CEODE, attended the IAP plenary of combining fundamental studies with session held on 15 January in London, high-tech development, and put forward UK and delivered a keynote speech titled some scientific thoughts on disaster “Global Natural Disaster Mitigation” on mitigation. behalf of the study panel of the program. Prof. Guo suggested that IAP TWAS website reports the interview with Prof. Guo Huadong. At the meeting, Prof. Guo introduced enhance communication and cooperation the background for launching this project with other international organizations making and best practices of disaster as well as its objectives and outcomes. In for better exchanges in effective policy- mitigation. During the plenary session, a

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7.3-magnitude earthquake wreaked havoc surge, and flood and drought, which of important scientific and strategic in Haiti. Hence, some of the scientific are considered capable of causing the significance. suggestions proposed by the study panel greatest human and economic damages. It Led by CAS, the project was evoked active reaction among scientists was aimed to build up an understanding participated by 11 national academies from various countries. After the of earth evolution and global change on of sciences. The study panel submitted meeting, the Academy of Sciences for the the basis of earth system science and to to IAP a major research report, an Developing World (TWAS) conducted make breakthroughs in the development executive summary, and a statement. an interview with Prof. Guo, who further of integrated global earth observation, The report, Natural Disaster Mitigation, elaborated the prominent roles of science data infrastructure, information was published by the Science Press and technology in disaster prevention and communication technology and analysis in December 2009. It was appraised mitigation. model integration. The program as a significant contribution to the The IAP Program on Natural Disaster participants have harbored an emphasis international disaster mitigation Mitigation covers three types of natural on the idea of disaster mitigation in community and one of the most disasters all around the world, including the context of harmonious coexistence outstanding achievements IAP scored earthquake, tropical cyclone and storm between man and nature. It’s considered during the past three years.

Brazilian Delegation Visits CEODE

A four-person delegation headed by he expressed his hope for further and Dr. Gilberto Camara from the National tighter cooperation between the two Institute of Space Research (INPE), Brazil, sides. recently paid a visit to CEODE. CEODE Afterwards, Prof. John van Genderen Director-General Prof. GUO Huadong, delivered a report on the progresses along with representatives of the CAS of the “comparative study on global Bureau of International Cooperation and environmental change using remote other CEODE researchers, met with the sensing”. The Program was firstly The two sides exchange views on spatial Brazilian visitors. And both sides held initiated by CEODE and then joined cooperation. a discussion on further cooperation on by researchers from the four countries spatial science research. of China, Australia, Brazil and Canada Program and would send representatives On the occasion, Prof. Guo gave his (thus dubbed the ABCC Program). to attend the third seminar of the Program welcoming remarks on behalf of CEODE It’s aimed to study and develop the to be held in Ottawa, Canada. and introduced its objectives, main methods for extracting remote sensing Meanwhile, both sides agreed to research areas, international cooperation (RS) information about forest carbon, strengthen cooperation in a number and achievements. Then, Dr. Camara vegetation, glacier, snow and aerosol of scientific fields including global specified the development of spatial by using RS data, and thereby generate environmental change, application technology in Brazil, the vision of INPE a comparative study on the sensitivity of digital earth technology, natural in the 21st Century and its achievements index variation among the four countries. disasters and land cover change. in the fields of deforestation monitoring, Dr. Camara, on behalf of the Brazilian A consensus was also reached on environmental protection, earth system participants, expressed the willingness to a Memorandum of Understanding sciences and climate change. Particularly, try their best to contribute to the ABCC between the two sides soon.

CEODE Expert Accomplishes UNESCO Training Tasks in Africa

CEODE Associate Professor the College of Resource Management of BI Jiantao was sent by UNESCO to the Dar es Salaam University (IRA). The give a couple of lectures at a training Tanzanian government and UNESCO workshop on the “use of remote sensing attached great importance to this and geographic information system for workshop, through which the Tanzanian biosphere reserve management in the scientific circle is expected to enhance light of climate change” convened in their national capability of using RS Arusha, Tanzania recently. and spatial information technologies for The training was co-organized by the natural reserves protection. UNESCO Office in Dar es Salaam and Associate Prof. Bi delivers a lecture. During the two-week training

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session, Prof. Bi elaborately explained Council of Tanzanian (NEMC) and Later, Prof. Bi paid a visit to the Dar es how RS and spatial information IRA held an in-depth discussion. They Salaam University. technologies can be applied in all agreed that in light of the national Senior officer Anthony Maduekwe biosphere reserve. He also introduced needs of Tanzania, some cooperative with the UNESCO Office in Tanzania the scientific strengths of CEODE in programs could be planned. Based on and Dr. Richard Kangalawe with the this area and presented some successful CEODE’s technological strengths in IRA thought highly of the outcomes of application cases in details. Afterwards, the area, the two sides can jointly apply the training workshop, and expressed he and representatives from UNESCO, for some inter-governmental projects their sincere hope for further substantial the National Environment Management or UNESCO cooperative projects. cooperative activities.

GUO Huadong Honored with Doctor Honoris Causa at Curtin University of Technology

Recently, an Honorary by NASA, the European Meanwhile, Prof. Guo also delivered Doctorate of Science Space Agency, the a speech. He encouraged the graduates to was conferred on Prof. Canadian Space Agency pursue their dreams and succeed in their GUO Huadong, CEODE and the Japan Aerospace careers by quoting an old Chinese adage Director-General, by Exploration Agency. “Self-cultivation, family in unison, and the Curtin University of He has significantly orderly management of the nation”. Technology (CUT) in Perth, contributed to the During his visit to the University of Australia, in recognition development of SAR New South Wales, Australia, Prof. Guo of his contributions to the application in mapping was given a precious present by Emeritus advancement of spatial large areas in remote Professor Bill Charters—a framed photo information science of regions and in conditions of Shanghai Bund shot in 1929 as a China and international Prof.Guo Huadong receives of poor visibility. memento of his visit. an Honorary Doctorate of S&T integration. Science at CUT. CUT is a leading unit in spatial information science through Academic Symposia on Earth Observation and its Department of Spatial Sciences and Digital Earth Global Navigation Satellite System Research Laboratory. Prof. Linda Academic Symposia on Earth Observation and Digital Earth (from the third to Kristjanson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor the eighth session) were respectively held in CEODE as scheduled from January for Research and Development of CUT, to March in 2010. And a total of six professors or experts were invited to present addressed the graduation ceremony, reports on their academic subjects during the sessions (as shown by the following whereat she particularly applauded cable). Young scholars afterwards held animated discussions on the topics. Prof. Guo’s outstanding academic Co-organized by the CEODE S&T Office and the Laboratory of Digital Earth, achievements and his strong professional the conference was formerly named as a Symposium on Digital Earth, and then ties with Curtin. renamed as the current one on the sixth Symposium in 2010. It’s aimed to generate a As she said, “Prof. Guo has had favorable academic atmosphere and further motivate initiative and innovation within a distinguished career as a leader CEODE. Particularly, it strives to become a top academic communication platform in the fields of remote sensing and for CEODE by enhancing academic exchanges among distinguished scholars and spatial information. He has also been experts in the field both at home and abroad. a strong advocate for international And from the third to the fifth session of the Symposia, Prof. GUO Huadong scientific collaboration, playing an conferred a Certificate of Honorary CEODE Researcher on Prof. CHENG Jicheng, instrumental role in the establishment Prof. TAO Shu and Prof. HU Dunxin, respectively. of the Joint Australia-China Centre for Spatial Information, which has strong Name Academic Identity Report Title Member of the Academic Committee of the Digital Prof. CHENG Jicheng Digital earth and smart earth links with Curtin and the Cooperative China Research Institute, Peking University Research Centre for Spatial Prof. TAO Shu Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Emissions and diffusion of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in China and their harms to human health Information.” Northwest pacific ocean circulation and climate Prof. HU Dunxin Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences And Prof. Guo is also recognized experiment Professor with the University of New South Prof. JIA Xiuping Optical RS data quality: limits and opportunities as the pioneer of radar RS research and Wales, Australia applications in China and one of the Prof. Anthony Lewis Invited researcher with the CEODE Land use/cover mapping based on Landsat and AWiFS principal investigators in the synthetic- Prof. J. van Genderen Invited researcher with the CEODE Fusion: the trend of RS development aperture radar (SAR) imaging mission

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