M`SIA PLANS TO FURTHER DEVELOP AEROSPACE FIELDS

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 (Bernama) -- The government will come up with plans to
further develop aerospace science- and technology-related fields to get more
younger generation to be involved in space exploration, said Deputy Higher
Education Minister Saifuddin Abdullah.

He said Malaysia needed to produce more doctors, engineers and pilots
instead of just scientists in order to develop its space exploration
capabilities.

"Aerospace is not just about astronauts but about hundreds of science and
technological fields that are associated with aerospace explorers," he told
reporters after opening the Association of Space Exploration (ASE) XXIII
planetary congress, themed "1Planet, 1Hope, 1Future", here Tuesday.

Also present was Malaysia's first astronaut Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor.

Over 65 astronauts and cosmonauts from 17 countries attended the five-day
congress, which began Tuesday, to discuss matters pertaining to the future of
space exploration along with the health and welfare of home planet by educating
and inspiring the younger generation.

Saifudin said a community day would be held on Oct 7 where all congress
attendees would be flown to 11 local universities to give talks about space
exploration.

"All the local universities will be inviting students from nearby schools,
involving about 200,000 students, to share the experience and knowledge," he
said.
-- BERNAMA