IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Magazine - June 2020 - 145

constrained by physical models. Furthermore, recent advances in biogeophysical parameter estimation were also
discussed. Beyond theory, the results of recent studies illustrating all of the covered issues were presented. Tutorialbased exercises were briefly discussed and shared with the
participants for future reference.
Along with senior scientists from the Space Applications
Center of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, a large
number of students, researchers, faculty members, and industry representatives attended the enlightening lecture,
followed by interaction with each other. The total number
of participants was about 100, representing the Gandhinagar Institute of Technology, the Government Science
College, the Shri Labhubhai Trivedi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Rajkot, the Indo-German Training
Center, Charotar University of Science and Technology,
S&P Global, Nirma University, Gujarat University, Amnex
Technologies, CEPT Univertsity, the Institute for Plasma
Research, Nascent Info Technologies, Pandit Deendayal
Petroleum (PDP) University, and St. Xavier's College.
DISTINGUISHED INDUSTRY LECTURE
PROGRAM BY DR. KEELY ROTH
An expert talk, "Vegetation Characterization With Multisource Remote Sensing Data," was given at Nirma University by Dr. Keely Roth, a senior remote sensing scientist with
The Climate Corporation, on 13 November 2019 (Figures
2 and 3). Dr. Roth covered the basic concepts of remote
sensing, sensors, data collection methods, platforms, and
data utilization. She also shared field data experience and
discussed issues related to ground truth collections. The
lecture also explored the benefits of combining sensor data
across temporal, spatial, and spectral scales. The major focus of the lecture was on selecting the appropriate sensors
and tradeoffs to consider, common methods for vegetation
characterization, and how to use sensors and data fusion
to leverage the strengths of multiple systems across various scales. The new sensor technology for ground truth
collection was also discussed. Dr. Roth briefly explained
the significance of data fusion and machine learning in
remote sensing applications. The lecture was attended by
participants from various institutes including the ISRO,
CEPT University, PDP University, Gujarat University, and
Nirma University.
EXPERT LECTURE BY DR. ANIL BHARDWAJ
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo
moon landing, a popular lecture, "Exploring the Moon:
50th Year of the Moon Landing," was delivered at the M.G.
Science Institute by Dr. Anil Bhardwaj, the director of PRL,
on 20 July 2019 (Figure 4). This lecture covered various
developments in lunar science since the moon landing, including developments at the ISRO. The lecture was attended
by about 150 participants, mostly students, representing
research and academic institutes including the ISRO PRL,
JUNE 2020

IEEE GEOSCIENCE AND REMOTE SENSING MAGAZINE

the M.G. Science Institute, Gujarat University, and Nirma
University. At the end of the lecture, enthusiastic researchers interacted with the speaker on various issues related to
lunar exploration.
TRAINING PROGRAM ON SYNTHETIC
APERTURE RADAR POLARIMETRY
A training workshop was organized at the Aarya Grand Hotel, Ahmedabad, from 2 to 5 December 2019, on synthetic
aperture radar (SAR) polarimetry, basics, and applications.
Faculty members were Dr. Kostas Papathanassiou of the

FIGURE 2. Dr. Keely Roth delivering the lecture "Vegetation Char-

acterization With Multisource Remote Sensing Data."

FIGURE 3. Participants during the lecture by Dr. Keely Roth.

FIGURE 4. Dr. Anil Bhardwaj delivering the expert lecture "Explor-

ing the Moon: 50th Year of the Moon Landing."
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IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Magazine - June 2020

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