Remote Sensing        INOE

Action plan

The SWOT analysis pointed out some issues related to the scientific research scenario of the National R&D Institute for Optoelectronics, issues that are flexible and compliant, as the research system in Romania is continuously changing. Analysis shows that high-quality scientific outputs could be produced in the near future, despite the external threats related to e.g. funds fluctuations. CARESSES’s action plan is meant to use the strengths and exploit the opportunities in order to diminish the weaknesses and limit the effects of the identified threats. Therefore, it involves a series of measures to:

1. Increase the scientific and technological capacity of the centre, by:
   • purchasing and implementing new equipment, automatic and all-weather
   • employing experienced researchers and engineers and train them according to the job requirements
   • exposing the scientists to a more international and challenging environment
2. Develop the strategic partnership with research, academia and private sector, by:
   • organizing meetings with stakeholders
   • twinning with industry and leading research institutions worldwide
   • extending the network by including more institutions, not necessarily active in the field of atmospheric remote sensing, but complementary (e.g. end-users, national and regional authorities and administrations, research organizations having expertise in tangent areas such as meteorology, risk and hazard, geology and hydrology, space weather, renewable energy, etc.)
   • accelerating the involvement in existing and under development observation networks and being a more active player, e.g. volunteering to lead activities and to host special events, mentoring new stations, participating to the elaboration of network strategies, protocols and procedures
3. Increase the capacity to participate to space programs, by:
   • identifying and implementing relevant ECSS standards, and learning to use ECOS
   • elaborating an Intellectual Property development plan for IP management and protection, and innovation capacity building
   • identifying immediate and future opportunities to use the centre’s infrastructure and expertise in space applications (e.g. CAL/VAL of the satellite atmospheric composition products, CAL/VAL intensive campaigns, development of optimized inversion schemes for the optical data, development of synergistic tools for cloud screening, space weather, influence of the cosmic rays on the atmospheric processes, etc.)
   • benefitting from an ex-post Evaluation of the Centre, to identify the factors of success or failure, to assess the sustainability of results and impacts, and to draw conclusions that will help in improving the development strategy
4. Creating the potential for long-term sustainability of the centre and of the atmospheric remote sensing domain, by:
   • initiating a school for atmospheric remote sensing in Romania, starting with the active involvement in the master and doctoral programs of the main universities (University of Bucharest, “Politehnica” University of Bucharest, “Babes-Bolyai” University of Cluj-Napoca, “Al.I. Cuza” University of Iasi, “Politehnica” University of Timisoara), and continuing with an atmospheric remote sensing training
   • promoting a collaborative and unselfish environment within the network, to facilitate the exchange of expertise and transfer of knowledge, as well as mutual support, e.g. through regular meetings and workshops, joint research projects, co-supervision, campaigns, mixed committees
   • participating to targeted ESA or European calls for proposals, and pushing for a national atmospheric remote sensing research infrastructure