About the training Our SERVIR-HKH Initiative is organizing an advanced training for the alumni from our “empowering women in geospatial information technology” trainings. In 2021, we scaled out the training to five Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Pakistan. The advanced training will cover a wide range of topics on Earth observation (EO) and geospatial information technology (GIT) solutions for emerging environmental problems, and will take a deep dive into SERVIR-HKH’s services on monitoring agriculture, air quality, extreme weather, floods, land cover, and ecosystems. The training will be delivered using a blended learning approach – presentations and guided practical exercises, followed by group project assignments. Objectives We aim to train young women from the HKH region on the use of EO data and GIT linked to our SERVIR-HKH services to enable them to use EO data for different applications. This will support our efforts in bridging the gender gap in the GIT field and help build the foundation for women’s leadership in the EO/GIT sector in HKH countries. Expected outcomes Upon completion of the training, the participants will have a better understanding of the concepts and applications of EO and GIT linked to SERVIR-HKH services, which will enable them to use the knowledge gained professionally. Expected participants A total of 50 young women participants (10 from each country) are expected to participate in this training. Background Revolutionary advancements in the fields of EO and GIT have created more opportunities in the fields of spatial sciences, natural resource management, landscape mapping, strategic planning, and decision-making. Though women play a vital role in environmental management and decision-making, they are underrepresented in the EO/GIT sector. This gender disparity is prevalent in the EO/GIT sector in Asia, and more so in the HKH region. To address this evident gender gap, we have been organizing training programmes in ‘Empowering women in geospatial information technology’ for young and early career women under our SERVIR Hindu Kush Himalaya (SERVIR-HKH) Initiative for the past four years (2018–2021). In 2021, we scaled out this concept to five HKH countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Pakistan. Through this initiative, we hope to provide meaningful growth opportunities for women professionals and encourage them to pursue EO/GIT careers. Speakers/facilitators ICIMOD Birendra Bajracharya Chief of Party–SERVIR-HKH Faisal M. Qamer Remote Sensing Specialist Izabella Koziell Deputy Director General Kamala Gurung Gender and Natural Resource Management Specialist Kiran Shakya Geospatial Application Development Specialist Manish Shrestha Hydrologist Poonam Tripathi Geospatial Training Analyst, ICIMOD Rajesh Bahadur Thapa Senior Remote Sensing and Geoinformation Specialist, ICIMOD Sajana Maharajan Remote Sensing and Geoinformation Analyst, ICIMOD Siva Praveen Puppala Senior Aerosol Scientist Sravan Shrestha Remote Sensing & Geoinformation Associate Sudip Pradhan Programme Coordinator – Regional Database System Initiative Sunil Thapa Remote Sensing and Geoinformation Analyst NASA Nancy D. Searby Capacity Building Program Manager Tentative agenda All timestamps are in Nepal Standard Time (NPT) Monday, 28 February 2022 Time Topic 13:00–14:00 Registration Introduction of participants – Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD Tuesday, 1 March 2022 Time Topic 09:00–10:00 Opening session (S1) Training overview (15 min) – Rajesh Bahadur Thapa, ICIMOD SERVIR efforts on bridging gender gap in HKH (10 min) – Birendra Bajracharya, ICIMOD Keynote speech on the future of Earth observation and geospatial information technology (30 min) – Nancy Searby, NASA Welcome remarks (5 min) – Izabella Koziell, ICIMOD Group photo 10:00–12:00 Morning session (S2) Pre-training assessment (10 min) – Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD The importance of GIT applications for society/communities (30 min) – Kamala Gurung, ICIMOD Concept of geospatial analysis and applications (60 min) – Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD Demonstration of the Regional Database System portal (20 min) – Sudip Pradhan, ICIMOD 12:00–14:00 Lunch break 14:00–17:00 Afternoon session (S3) Hands-on exercises – Poonam Tripathi, Sajana Maharjan, and Sunil Thapa, ICIMOD Geospatial analysis for agro-ecological zonation 15:00–15:10 Break Hands-on exercises – session continued Wednesday, 2 March 2022 Time Topic 09:00–12:00 Morning session (S4) Reflections of the previous day (30 min) – Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD Introduction to RLCMS data and applications (20 min) – Sajana Maharjan, ICIMOD Hands-on exercises – Sajana Maharjan, Sunil Thapa and Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD Land cover change analysis and reporting Hands-on exercises – session continued 12:00–14:00 Lunch break 14:00–17:00 Afternoon session (S5) Earth observation for agriculture monitoring and applications – Faisal M. Qamer, ICIMOD Hands-on exercise – Sravan Shrestha and Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD Regional drought monitoring and reporting 15:00–15:10 Break Hands-on exercises – session continued Demonstration and hands-on on field data collection using Geofairy for crop mapping Thursday, 3 March 2022 Time Topic 09:00–12:00 Morning session (S6) Reflections of the previous day (30 min) – Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD Extreme weather and streamflow prediction – Manish Shrestha, ICIMOD Hands-on exercise – Manish Shrestha, and Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD High-Impact Weather Assessment Tool and interpretation of weather forecasts Hands-on exercises – session continued The Streamflow Prediction Tool and interpretation of streamflow forecasts 12:00–14:00 Lunch break 14:00–17:00 Afternoon session (S7) Introduction to air pollution and air quality monitoring – Siva Praveen Puppala, ICIMOD Hands-on exercises Air quality monitoring products and applications – Kiran Shakya, and Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD 15:00–15:10 Break Hands-on exercises – session continued Friday, 4 March 2022 Time Topic 09:00–12:00 Morning session (S8) Reflections of the previous day (30 min) – Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD Thematic group creation and working topic discussion – Rajesh Bahadur Thapa and Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD Project work on geospatial services 12:00–14:00 Lunch break 14:00–17:00 Afternoon session (S9) Project work – session continued 15:00–15:10 Break Project work – session continued Monday, 7 March 2022 Time Topic 09:00–12:00 Morning session (S10) Project work – session continued 12:00–14:00 Lunch break 14:00–17:00 Afternoon session (S11) Group presentation on project work (Each group will give a 10 min presentation, 5 mins Q/A) Land cover change – Group A Drought – Group B Geofairy application – Group C Streamflow prediction – Group D Weather forecast– Group E Air quality– Group F Site Suitability – Group G 15:00–15:10 Break Closing session (S12) Reflections on the training (30 min) – Rajesh Bahadur Thapa, ICIMOD Post-training assessment (20 min) – Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD Closing remarks (10 min) – Birendra Bajracharya, ICIMOD Tuesday, 8 March 2022 Time Topic 14:00–16:00 Afternoon session (S13) International Women’s Day celebration