Former Indian President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam has said he looks forward to the building of scientific and educational relationships between the academic communities of India and US.

Kalam visited the birthplace of US' space programme, The University of Alabama and toured the NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center last week.

"This is truly a remarkable event in the history of our University. Not only is Dr Kalam a former Head of State, but he is the father of India's vibrant and productive space programme, a scientist, and a visionary," said David Williams, President of UAHuntsville, at the conclusion of Kalam's visit last week.

"To host him here on our campus is a most high honour, for which we are very grateful," he said. During his tour of the University, Dr Kalam visited research laboratories, interacted with faculty and staff, and spent time with many students.

"Huntsville is well known for its space research," Kalam said. Impressed with the research focus of the Huntsville community, Kalam said he was looking forward to the building of further scientific and educational relationships between the communities at the University and those in India.

Kalam's also toured the University's Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research (CSPAR), an internationally recognized centre of excellence in space plasma, astrophysical, and aeronomic research.

Scientists and students from this research centre, including many scientists from India working at the University, presented work ranging from the study of interactions between the Solar Wind and the Earth's Magnetosphere, to the most powerful explosions in the Universe, known as gamma-ray bursts.

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