# Education and Training in Applied Remote Sensing in Africa: The ARCSSTE-E Experience
## 5 The Future Plans of ARCSSTE-E
Plans are in the offing for courses in location-based services (LBS) and geospatial data analytics. Executive courses are planned for those who have attained management positions and that need requisite knowledge to manage space application projects. (viii) _On-site courses_: Alumni have also indicated interest in courses that are specifically tailored to their institutions. These courses would be organised in the office premises of the host institution. (ix) _Regional data/knowledge hub_: With its access to data from Sentinel and other satellites, ARCSSTE-E aims to be the hub data repository for Africa. ARCSSTE-E is also making efforts to create an online knowledge repository, where lecture presentations, videos, and course materials will be uploaded for current participants and alumni to access. (x) _Alumni relations_: The strength of an educational institution is enhanced through alumni relations. Alumni can make referrals, participate in volunteer teaching, mentor current students, and make donations to the institution. Alumni relations provide a platform to inform alumni of developments in ARCSSTE-E and opportunities for them to be part of present or future developments. ARCSSTE-E intends to pay more attention to alumni relations, as it affords previous participants the chance to engage with one another as they progress in their careers. The Centre has organised two alumni conferences in the past. This provided the opportunity for the re-union of alumni, interaction, and exchange of knowledge and experiences. Alumni are often very appreciative of the education and skills that they obtained while in ARCSSTE-E. Surveys are undertaken from time to time to gauge the feelings and experiences of the alumni [10]. Some found jobs, some had a change in career, some got promoted, and some achieved admission for further studies. Alumni frequently request reference letters from ARCSSTE-E, either for further studies or to participate in an international event. (xi) _International Cooperation_: ARCSSTE-E leverages international cooperation to achieve some of its goals and objectives. Several Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) have been signed with institutions, including the UN Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education for the Asia-Pacific Region, located in China (for staff training and organisation of training workshops); Samara State Aerospace University, Russia (for small satellite development); and, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), for downloading of satellite images. ARCSSTE-E achieved a 'participating organisation status', with the Group on Earth Observation (GEO) as well as the International Committee on GNSS (ICG). Within the region, educational institutions need to collaborate in research and development, as well as the sharing of teaching and learning facilities. It our belief that ARCSSTE-E stands out as the connecting institution of Space Science and Technology for the region, especially in areas of capacity building and Space Outreach programmes. The Centre will seek collaboration with other international organisations that coordinate training programmes in applied remote sensing, such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Applied Remote-Sensing Training (ARSET) programme to support the effort of ARCSSTE-E in promoting applied remote sensing in Africa [19]. Such collaboration could help to develop the skills of current and future African instructors by sharing training resources. (xii) _Alliance of Regional Centres (ARC)_: ARCSSTE-E, in collaboration with other Regional Centres, has formed the Alliance of Regional Centres (ARC), which is affiliated to the United Nations. This is seen as a mechanism to share experiences, and to jointly plan and carry out activities to support the use of space to address development challenges. ARC will enhance existing capacity building partnershipsand forge new ones. The organisational structure proposal is currently under consideration by UNOOSA for approval.