Space Institute

Introduction

The Institute of Space Science and Engineering (ISSE) was formed by the National Space Research and Development Agency, (NASRDA) in 2017 in bid to ensure and encourage continuous and advanced human capacity development in the areas of space science and engineering within the country. The Institute became an affiliate of the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja in 2018 following the approval of the Nigerian University Commission (NUC)
in the same year.

The Institute is located in the headquarters of NASRDA at the Obasanjo Space Centre, Airport Road, Abuja. The Institute is a unique postgraduate institution established to address the growing needs of space scientific knowledge and innovations in Nigeria and the Africa continent.

Motto

The motto of ISSE is Space Technology for Prosperity.

Vision Statement

To be a leading institute of space research and development in the continent of Africa, demonstrating and enabling high-quality teaching and enterprise for maximum economic impact and benefit of humanity.

 Mission Statement

Pursue learning and innovation though research and development oriented programmes and initiatives; engage in meaningful academia-academia and academia-industry  relationships, including fruitful international collaborations with advanced space organisations; and sustaining leadership in the dissemination of advanced knowledge and space-based solutions for industries and the African continent.

Objectives

Some of the objectives of the Institute include development and training of highly-skilled scientists and engineers that can support the Nigerian National Technology and Industrial Development; re-directing advanced and postgraduate education of Nigerians and Africans at large, especially in the fields of space science and technology; and enhancing international co-operation and exchange programmes within the Africa continent towards enhancing peace and security within the continent and contributing to the development of the African Space Agency.

The Postgraduate Programmes of ISSE

The ISSE at inception in 2018 was accredited with four Departments under the AUST. Each of the Departments is approved to run both MSc and PhD degree programmes in an 18-month calendar and a minimum of 3-year calendar respectively. The four Departments are:

Each of these departments are headed by a Head of Department/Programme that is required to providing direction for department operations, teaching and research per time.

Faculty Members and Staff of the ISSE

The ISSE is an educational institution owned by NASRDA, and as such it is mainly run by the staff of NASRDA. It is a self-accounting arm of NASRDA with its own funding and management. The Academic Management of the ISSE, as it is presently constituted, is headed by a Provost who is supported by the four Heads of Departments and an Academic Officer. The non-academic and support staff are essentially administrative and finance personnel drawn from NASRDA, who help with the day-to-day operations of the institute.

The ISSE enjoys a wide reach of academic staff or faculty members drawn from local and international institutions by venture of its association with AUST and NASRDA existing collaborations. Bulk of the faculty members are engaged on visiting-basis for the modular-structured courses. Most of the faculty members are selected from NASRDA’s over 100 PhD degree holders in various aspects of space science and engineering.

Academic Calendar, Admission and Standards at ISSE

Being an affiliate of AUST, ISSE runs an academic calendar that is in tandem with that of the AUST. The minimum admission requirements are as stipulated by the AUST and the academic standard is fairly high – aimed at delivery top class graduates and researchers to meet the goals and aspiration of the Institute.

The pioneer set of the ISSE begins with the 2019/2020 academic session that commenced in September 2019. The Institute currently has students MSc and PhD programmes in all its departments.