I would like to encourage you to join AARSE if you are not a member. In the following, I enumerate the advantages and benefits of being a member of the African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment (AARSE):

1. You can make a bigger impact on remote sensing through the Association. Remote sensing will play increasingly important roles in the solution to environmental problems, the study of global climate change and  the monitoring of natural disasters.
2. You are joining a dynamic and respectable organization, which has received the recognition and support of many national and international organizations. Since 1994, AARSE is a registered member of the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS). In 1997, AARSE was co-opted as a member of the Standing Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference in Africa. During this Conference, AARSE was honored by UNECA to be the umbrella organization for all activities in remote sensing, GIS and environment in Africa. In the last few years, AARSE has worked closely with, and received the support of, many international institutions and organizations such as: the International Institute for Geoinformation Sciences & Earth Observation (ITC), UNECA, UNOOSA, UNESCO, IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (IEEE/GRSS), European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA. In 2004, AARSE became an Organizational Member of GEO and has contributed towards the implementation of GEOSS. Its active participation in the International Council for Science (ICSU) – Regional Office for Africa, UNESCO-GOOS Programme, GSDI, UNECA CODIST-Geo, UNEDRA, MAfA, African Resources Management (ARM) Satellites Constellation and other initiatives in the African Continent and the unparalleled open support it enjoys from various remote sensing and GIS institutions and governments in Africa is a reflection of its success and commitments to the betterment of Africa.
3.  AARSE has signed an MOU with the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS), IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (IEEE/GRSS); European Remote Sensing Laboratories (EaRSeL). By being a member of AARSE, you can get reduction in membership fees and direct access to their publications.
4.  AARSE strives to address remote sensing policies and research directions in Africa. By being a member, you can be a part of this important voice. You can make a bigger impact on these issues.
5.  You can attend AARSE Conferences at a reduced rate (or even sponsored in some cases) and also participate in the planning of AARSE events. Our biennial conference attracts around 800 participants and brings together the actual developers and users of the technology, researchers, planners, decision makers and other stakeholders to discuss and exchange ideas.
6.  By becoming a member, you might be able to get the AARSE-IEEE/GRSS Travel Fellowship Award to attend AARSE’s or IEEE-GRSS Conference. (Do not forget that there is a competitive award for the best paper submitted during these conferences) or the European Space Agency-AARSE Award (in money, for best paper or poster presentation during the AARSE Conference) and many more awards which has an-added value to your career.
7. You can also help in the planning of AARSE workshops and training activities. If you are an expert in the technical topics of Applications of Remote Sensing, Mission and Programs, Geoscience Modeling and Processing, Data Processing and Algorithms, Electromagnetic Problems, Instrumentation and Techniques, Policy, etc, you may be asked to serve on the Technical Program Committee. You can also volunteer to organize special sessions.
8.  You can utilize the resources provided by AARSE (on remote sensing, GIS and ICT education and training) offered through the courtesy of its partner organizations and other agencies. The Association uses its good office to negotiate with education and training organizations including the private sector to harmonize and publicize the importance of capacity building and collaborative research in the sustainable development of Africa.
9.  Quite often, AARSE suggests and promotes individual members as well as national/ regional members to sit in, or collaborate with, international fora. Many AARSE individual or organizational members have benefited from this.
10.  Other benefits of AARSE Membership include subsidized subscription to the future AARSE Journal of Geoinformation and journals of its partner organisations.

In the meantime, if you have suggestions concerning the Society, please do not hesitate to contact any of the following persons.

Sincerely yours,

Prof. Kamal Labbassi – President, AARSE
president@africanremotesensing.org

Solomon G. Tesfamichael – Secretary General, AARSE
secretary-general@africanremotesensing.org