It is aimed at establishing a sustainable and inclusive platform for the training and professional development of qualified personnel in the satellite communications and broadcasting industry. The document was signed by Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, and Ms Ksenia Drozdova, Director General of Intersputnik.
The signing of the agreement during WTDC-25 – the key global forum for information and communications technology (ICT) development – marks the commitment of ITU and Intersputnik to creating conditions required for the most effective use of satellite technologies to eliminate the digital divide and connect the entire world’s population to modern and affordable digital services.
Satellite communications play a vital role in providing global connectivity and bridging the digital divide. Interest in satellite communications has grown significantly over the past decade due to technological development and projects to connect the unconnected. An increasing number of states are turning to space technologies to create national and regional networks that provide 100% coverage of the population with modern digital services. In this context, the global ICT industry requires a growing number of relevant qualified professionals. The joint Intersputnik–ITU project aims to promote human capacity building by creating a comprehensive training programme and an online platform for remote access to educational materials and procedures. This is expected to provide additional impetus for the implementation of satellite communications projects, improve the quality of services provided, and open up new opportunities for international scientific and technical cooperation, as well as promote the industry and satellite technologies.
As the main coordinators, ITU and Intersputnik plan to involve interested representatives from the business community, government, research organisations and other bodies as participants and partners in the project.
“A shortage of skilled professionals is now one of the factors hindering the development of modern satellite communications systems and the implementation of projects in various parts of the world. To improve the situation, Intersputnik, acting in the interests of its Member States, is carrying out extensive work, including its own initiatives to support young professionals,” said Ms Ksenia Drozdova, Intersputnik Director General. “We are pleased to join forces, expertise and resources with our colleagues at ITU. This will enable us to further strengthen the industry’s workforce capacity at a whole new level. At the same time, we will continue to support other ITU initiatives that use state-of-the-art technologies to improve people’s quality of life around the world and help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals defined by the United Nations.”
“The Telecommunication Development Bureau continues to play a pivotal role in boosting digital skills through capacity development initiatives,” said
Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau. “Our partnership with Intersputnik will be instrumental for advancing effective use of satellite communications and broadcasting technologies and enhance connectivity and digital transformation.”