Young Network Community

The NEREUS network brings together 26 European member regions and 33 associate members. Our members are united towards the common aim of exploiting and spreading the use of space technologies for the benefits of our regions and their citizens. Within our full member regions and among our individual associate members, there is a significant part of the network’s efforts which impact on students, graduates and young professionals, with universities, research institutions and educational elements of regional government involved in our work.

NEREUS offers a platform to mobilize strong activities and partnerships in the area of education and training. The regions and associate members together offer the young network community opportunities to network at an early stage of their careers at a European level, with senior figures in the field of space technology.

For this reason, NEREUS established a cooperation agreement with Euroavia, the European Association for Aeronautics Students (www.euroavia.net). The cooperation brings the network of students into contact with NEREUS members, providing useful contacts for students in the field and a connection with the regional aspect of European space policy. The Euroavia network comprises a total of 1200 student members in 31 cities in 17 European countries. The work of both networks overlaps to some extent, with some institutions in NEREUS regions being members of both organisations, notably in Spain, Germany, Italy and Belgium.

There are several initiatives and events planned for 2011 involving NEREUS and Euroavia in an effort to improve the connection between students in space-related courses and the space industry across Europe. More information on the areas of collaboration between the two association are here available.

One of the core missions of the NEREUS network is to spread awareness of opportunities and the benefits involving space technology to our regions. Towards this end, the NEREUS Communication, Education and Training (CET) Working Group, was specifically established for exchanging knowledge and learning on the European educational potential of space applications, training in space technologies and HR services to enterprises. Currently, the WG concentrates his efforts on university study and training opportunities related to space, especially in the use of space technologies, information and services. It involves academics, officials who work in the area of Education, Science and Research representatives from the space industry and other interested parties across the 26 NEREUS regions.

The Working Group is currently formulating a resource aimed at space students and academics to help chart the different university and training courses available in the NEREUS regions. Based on a proposal made by CNES (Toulouse), NEREUS is currently developing an online database and interface for mapping the availability of these courses in the universities across the NEREUS network. It is envisaged that the online mapping tool will take the form of an ‘e-catalogue’ and will be available for use in late 2011. See the Communication, Education and Training Working Group webpages for more information on its activities please visit the password protected area of the WG.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

 The new E-catalogue on space related training and study courses is now online!

"Drop Your Thesis!" programme

ESA’s Education Office is currently offering students the opportunity to perform experiments in microgravity using the ZARM drop tower situated in Bremen (Germany), one of NEREUS member regions. Selected university students will have the opportunity to benefit from the 'Drop Your Thesis!' programme by developing an experiment to be carried out during 5 launches at the Bremen site as part of their research programme or Masters / PhD thesis.

The ZARM facility is one of the best of its type in Europe and attracts scientists from around the world. The level of microgravity is better than that achieved in parabolic flights, or even on orbital platforms (e.g. the International Space Station). You will find more information about the ZARM facility at the following link. Teams from ESA Member States desiring to register should proceed by uploading their completed application before 13 February 2012 on the ESA Education Office's project portal.  Proposals from ESA’s Cooperating States are also encouraged. ESA will offer financial support to cover part of the cost of the experiments, travel and accommodation. The ESA’s Education Office, ZARM engineers and members of the European Low Gravity Research Association (ELGRA) will collaborate with the selected team. For more information please contact the Drop Your Thesis! team.  

4th International Summer School on Radar/SAR

Fraunhofer FHR, one of Europe's leading radar research institutes and has pioneered radar and SAR research and development over the decades, is pleased to announce the 4th International Summer School on Radar/SAR, which will take place from 13-20 July 2012 in the picturesque Upper Middle Rhine region (Haus Humboldtstein). We cordially invite students, doctoral students, post-docs and anyone else eager to broaden and deepen their understanding of radar and SAR techniques to participate in our summer school. As the number of places is limited to 35, we encourage you to book early as demand for places will be high. More info.