Empowering women in geospatial information technology

Date 19 May 2020 to 22 May 2020
Venue ICIMOD, Kathmandu, Nepal
Contact Persons servirhkh@icimod.org
Type Training
Programmes SERVIR-HKH, MENRIS

Frequent transformative developments in the fields of Earth observation (EO) and geospatial information technology (GIT) build more possibilities in the fields of spatial sciences, natural resource management, landscape mapping, and strategic planning and decision making. Although women play a vital role in environmental management and decision making, their engagement and participation in the EO/GIT workforce is very low in Asia, especially in the countries of the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region.

In this context, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has been organizing the “Empowering women in geospatial information technology” training under its SERVIR Hindu Kush Himalaya (SERVIR-HKH) Initiative for the past two years. The training course, extended exclusively to young women from Nepal, provides them with theoretical as well as practical knowledge in the use of EO data and GIT using real-world examples from the HKH region. In its third iteration and in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this intensive four-day course is being offered online to eligible women in Nepal.

The training will cover a wide range of topics, including principles of geographic information science (GIS), basic concepts of remote sensing (RS), image calculation and spectral indices, and mapping using open source tools to solve emerging environmental problems.

Objectives

This training aims to train young women from Nepal on the use of EO data and GIT, empowering and encouraging them to consider careers in GIT and its applications. This will support ICIMOD’s efforts to bridge the gender gap in the GIT field.

Expected Outcomes

Upon completion of the training, the participants will have a better understanding of the concepts and applications of GIS and RS, which will enable them to use the knowledge gained professionally.

Expected Participants

A total of 20 young women participants with an academic background in the fields of geography, science, survey, and/or information technology are expected to participate in this training.

Resource persons/Facilitators

Rajesh

Rajesh Bahadur Thapa

Remote Sensing and Geoinformation Specialist, ICIMOD
Email: Rajesh.Thapa@icimod.org
Poonam

Poonam Tripathi

Training Analyst, Geospatial Solutions, ICIMOD
Email: Poonam.Tripathi@icimod.org
Kiran

Kiran Shakya

Geospatial Application Development Specialist, ICIMOD
Email: Kiran.Shakya@icimod.org

Agenda

  • Pre-training preparation (18 May 2020)

    13:00–15:00 | Registration

    Familiarization with Microsoft Teams
    Installation and exploration of QGIS

  • Day 1 (19 May 2020)

    09:00–09:50 | Opening session (S1)

    Training overview and introduction of the participants (20 min) – Rajesh Bahadur Thapa, ICIMOD
    Connecting space to village – SERVIR efforts(20 mins) – Birendra Bajracharya, Chief of Party, SERVIR-HKH Initiative, ICIMOD
    Welcome remarks (5 min) – David Molden, Director General, ICIMOD
    Vote of thanks (5 min) – Ghulam Rasul, Regional Programme Manager, MENRIS, ICIMOD

    09:50–11:00 | Morning session (S2)

    Pre-training assessment (10 min) – Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD
    GIS concepts and applications (60 min) – Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD

    11:00–13:00 | Lunch break

    13:00–17:00 | Afternoon session (S3)

    Demonstration of GIS and RS data (40 min) – Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD
    Hands-on exercises – Poonam Tripathi and Rajesh Bahadur Thapa, ICIMOD
    Vector data exploration and visualization in QGIS

    15:00–15:10 | Break

    Hands-on exercises – session continued
    Working with vector data, layer properties, projection, symbology, label tool, etc.
    Using vector geometry tool to calculate area, field calculator, joining attributes
    Exploring geo-processing tools
    Using query builder to perform queries

  • Day 2 (20 May 2020)

    09:00–11:00 | Morning session (S4)

    Reflections of the previous day (30 min) – Rajesh Bahadur Thapa, ICIMOD
    RS concepts and applications (60 min) – Rajesh Bahadur Thapa, ICIMOD

    Hands-on exercises – Poonam Tripathi and Rajesh Bahadur Thapa, ICIMOD
    Exploration and analysis of raster data in QGIS, visualization, merging, clipping

    11:00–13:00 | Lunch break

    13:00–17:00 | Afternoon session (S5)

    Hands-on exercises – session continued
    Raster data for topographic analysis (DEM, slope, aspect, relief, etc.)
    Use of raster calculator to perform image calculations

    15:00–15:10 | Break

    Hands-on exercises – session continued
    Satellite data visualization and interpretation
    Information extraction, tables, charts, visualization
    Results interpretation

  • Day 3 (21 May 2020)

    09:00–11:00 | Morning session (S6)

    Reflections of the training sessions (30 min) – Rajesh Bahadur Thapa, ICIMOD
    RS indices and their applications (60 min) – Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD
    Hands-on exercises – Poonam Tripathi and Rajesh Bahadur Thapa, ICIMOD
    Vegetation indices (VIs), snow and water indices

    11:00–13:00 | Lunch break

    13:30–17:00 | Afternoon session (S7)

    Hands-on exercises – session continued
    Vegetation indices (VI)s, snow and water indices

    15:00–15:10 | Break

    Hands-on exercises – session continued
    Create your own data with EO datasets
    (Creating and editing vector layers, i.e. point, line, and polygon)

  • Day 4 (22 May 2020)

    09:00–11:00 | Morning session (S8)

    Exploration of SERVIR data products (60 min) – Kiran Shakya, ICIMOD
    Hands-on exercises – Poonam Tripathi and Rajesh Bahadur Thapa, ICIMOD
    Map production in QGIS

    11:00–13:00 | Lunch break

    13:00–17:00 | Afternoon session (S9)

    Hands-on exercises continued

    15:00– 15:10 | Break

    15:10– 16:30 | Closing session (S10)

    Reflections on the training (50 min) – Rajesh Bahadur Thapa, ICIMOD
    Post-training assessment (20 min) – Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD
    Closing remarks (10 min) – Birendra Bajracharya, ICIMOD

Downloadable Resources