New European centre in earth observation

The University of Leicester (UK) is going to launch a "Centre of Excellence in Earth Observation Research Training" with the aim of teaching and training researchers to use the latest satellite technologies to tackle environmental issues. The centre is supported by the "Initial Operations Network for Earth Observation Research Training" (GIONET) project and funded by the European Commission within the Seventh Framework Programme and the Marie Curie Programme.

GIONET project wishes to develop new and better methods for research, for addressing disaster relief, as well as for monitoring climate change, environmental disasters and land cover change. At the same time, it seeks to satisfy the demand for more researchers and skilled personnel for the European observation programme "Global Monitoring for Environment and Security" (GMES).

During a period of four years, 14 young researchers will be trained in satellite remote sensing; they will be placed in industry and universities and they will also have the opportunity to work abroad. In particular, each student is expected to work on a research project and make a practical impact on the ability to monitor the planet from satellite. For instance, a current research topic under the GIONET spotlight is the monitoring of the Congo rainforest, to which experts from Germany, Hungary, Poland, Switzerland and the United Kingdom are contributing.

GIONET lies in collaboration between international partners from both the private and the public sector. In order to launch the research centre, the University of Leicester will receive funding worth €3.5 million under the Marie Curie Action "Networks for Initial Training" of the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).