The 2nd Edition of the NESAC User Interaction Meet (NEUIM) took place on September 5-6, 2024 via hybrid mode. The event also marked the beginning of NESAC’s journey into its yearlong Silver Jubilee celebrations, set to culminate in September 2025. NeUIM 2024 focused on utilizing Space Science and Technology to boost societal benefits, improve governance, enhance natural resource management, provide disaster management support, and foster outreach and networking with stakeholders, academia, and industry. The inaugural event on 5th Sept, 2024 commenced with a lighting of the lamp followed by a welcome note by Dr. S.P. Aggarwal, Director, NESAC. The inaugural program was chaired by Dr. R. R. Navalgund, former Director of SAC and NRSC as Chief Guest. In his speech, he recalled the establishment of NESAC, starting with the decision to create a space application center for the northeastern region in the late 20th century. He emphasized NESAC’s intended role and highlighted how it has surpassed expectations in transforming the region. Shri Shantanu Bhatawdekar, Scientific Secretary, ISRO, graced the inaugural event as the Guest of Honor via virtual mode, emphasizing the need to understand the challenges faced by departments, industry, and academia. He also commended NESAC for its outstanding contributions to geospatial applications that have fueled the region’s growth. The event was honored by the presence of Dr. Prakash Chauhan, Director, NRSC, who outlined the significance of India’s space policy in promoting geospatial development in the Northeast. He stressed the importance of engaging with academia for skill development and urged startups to partner with IN-SPACe to collaborate with stakeholders across the region. The inaugural event was further enriched by the esteemed presence of former NESAC Directors, Shri PLN Raju and Shri KC Bhattacharyya. The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Dr. KK Sarma, Group Head, RSAG, NESAC.
NeUIM 2024 boasted of five technical sessions and one special session across the two days. Two exhibition stalls were organized: one by NESAC to showcase their contributions and another by IN-SPACe to promote start-ups in the areas of space technology and applications. The 1st technical session on “EO Applications in India: Legacy, Current Trends & Future Directions” was chaired by Dr. R. R. Navalgund, former Director, SAC and NRSC. The session started with a lead talk from the session chair on “Transforming India: Space Technology and Applications”. The 2nd and 3rd technical sessions were dedicated for understanding the user needs and expectations with speakers from all eight northeastern states. The first day concluded with a beautiful cultural event followed by dinner hosted by Director, NESAC.
On the second day, the program began with the 4th technical session on “Geospatial Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction and Governance” followed by 5th technical session on “Interfacing with the Academia and Industry”. Shri Angshuman Dey, IFS, Secretary, also addressed the participants virtually and praised NESAC for its valuable support to the northeastern region and the socio-economic transformation it has enabled. Finally the technical program was ended with the special session “IN-SPACe for Start-Ups” which was chaired by Dr SP Aggarwal, Director, NESAC and moderated by AVM D V Khot, PC, IN-SPACe. In the concluding session, Dr. R. R. Navalgund commended NESAC’s rapid growth, emphasized the need for advanced research, encouraged startups to compete on a global scale, and urged collaboration with IN-SPACe and public-funded facilities for sensor testing.
At NeUIM-2024, about 170 participants attended in person, while more than 1,000 tuned in virtually through video conferencing and YouTube streaming. The event featured 38 speakers representing NESAC/ISRO, various state and central departments, academic institutions, and industries, who delivered valuable insights during the two-day program. Dr Dibyajyoti Chutia, Head, GID coordinated the event on behalf of NESAC as Organizing Secretary, NeUIM-2024.
