The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has deepened international cooperation on space science and its applications, formalizing ties with Brazil and Hungary to advance Earth observation, capacity building and space‑based agricultural innovation.
PhilSA Ad Interim Director General Gay Jane Perez received Brazilian Ambassador Gilberto Fonseca Guimarães de Moura and First Secretary Juan Oliveira Bomfim at the agency’s headquarters on April 22, where both sides exchanged updates and discussed areas of mutual interest in space science, technology and applications.
– Advertisement –
Possible areas of cooperation identified during the meeting included Earth observation, capacity building, and other space‑related initiatives, PhilSA said.
The two countries also expressed openness to sustaining dialogue and expanding future collaboration in the space sector.
Earlier, on April 20, PhilSA and the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to advance agricultural research, education and technology development through space science applications.
The agreement, signed by Perez and MATE Rector Csaba Gyuricza, will facilitate the exchange of students, researchers and personnel for research and training, promote distribution of publications and technical materials, and support joint planning of education and research initiatives.
“Through this cooperation, we aim to further advance the role of space science and technology in addressing real‑world challenges, particularly in areas of agriculture and environmental monitoring,” Perez said.
“We firmly recognize the critical role of academia in the space ecosystem. It is within our universities and research institutions where knowledge is cultivated, innovation begins, and future scientists, engineers, and leaders are shaped,” he said.
Under the MOU, both institutions will work on developing models for agricultural mapping, monitoring and assessment using satellite data, with pilot projects expected in the Philippines and Hungary.
Officials said the partnership aims to apply space‑based tools to improve agricultural productivity and environmental monitoring.
PhilSA said the visits and agreements signal growing bilateral and multilateral interest in leveraging space science and technology for applications such as environmental monitoring and disaster response.
– Advertisement –