On September 27 and October 16, 2020, the Centre held the first online class meeting for 2020 participants and participants in Beijing separately.

On the first online class meeting for 2020 participants, Dr. Weng Jingnong, Executive Director of the Centre, introduced in detail to the participants the basic situation, development history, and organizational structure of the Regional Centre, expressed his welcome and expectations for the new participants and encouraged them to establish a space sentiment, take up the mission of the times and contribute to the development of world space technology.

Mrs. Guo Yuanyuan, Program manager of the Centre, introduced the postgraduate training program, teaching arrangements, practical activities, etc. Hoping new participants will adapt to online learning as soon as possible, keep their scientific research on-going.

The coordinator of the Centre, Ms. Yang Fan, briefed everyone on the management requirements during the epidemic and the Centre’s official website; established a class Wechat group to ensure a smooth flow of information and timely solutions to problems encountered participant’s study life.

The second class meeting was held for all participants currently living in Beijing; the main contents including Notice and registration for the 2020 international training workshop on Earth Observation for Sustainable Development in Developing Countries, the new semester course schedule, anticipated midterm inspection dates for the 2019 participants, requirements and regulations during the epidemic prevention, and notification of domain changes to the Center’s website.

In September 2020, the Centre had enrolled a total of 48 postgraduate participants, including 36 MASTA participants and 12 DOCSTA participants, in the fields of Satellite Communications and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (SC&GNSS), Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (RS&GIS), Space Science and Environment, and Space Law and Policy. The participants are mainly recommended by space-related agencies and government departments like APSCO and Regional Centre Member States. They came from 19 countries (including Algeria, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Mongolia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Thailand, Turkey, and Venezuela.) All participants are back-up talents in relevant fields in their home countries.