This week the University of Leicester has launched a new €3.5m research centre. The brand-new centre - European Centre of Excellence in Earth Observation Research Training, GIONET - is to train a new breed of hi-tech environmental researchers for the future. The aim is that these researchers will become skilled in using the latest satellite technologies to tackle pressing environmental issues.

The new research centre will also lead to development of new methods for research and addressing disaster relief following landslides and floods as well as for climate change monitoring.

Coordinator of the project, Professor Heiko Balzter, Head of the Department of Geography, says: “GIONET will lead to better satellite monitoring methods to control tropical deforestation, help people affected by natural disasters and adapt to climate change.”

Professor Balzter, who has contributed to the development of the European land monitoring from space since the very inception of GMES, continues: “GIONET is training 14 young researchers in satellite remote sensing over the next 4 years. These young scientists will become the research leaders of tomorrow. They will be placed in industry and Universities and experience working abroad, as well as getting the best technical training and scientific education."

Find out more about the University of Leicester.

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Content added on 18th January 2011.

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