About the training Our SERVIR-HKH Initiative is organising this training to build the capacity of women from across the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region in geospatial information technology (GIT). We will use a blended learning approach for this training for women in GIT (WoGIT), incorporating presentations and guided practical exercises. In the context of emerging environmental issues, we will cover a wide range of topics that can complement solutions and decision making, including the fundamental principles of geographic information systems (GIS), basic remote sensing (RS) concepts, GIS data use and visualisation, geoprocessing and analytical query, RS image interpretation and mapping, and map production using open-source tools. The training will also provide an overview of SERVIR-HKH’s services in land cover analysis and disaster preparedness. Dear participants,The registration confirmation emails for the training have been sent out. Please check your email inbox, including your junk/spam folder, for further details and information about the training. If you have applied for the training, please review your emails to find the registration confirmation and access all the necessary information. We will be communicating additional details soon, including the meeting link and other relevant information. Thank you for your attention, and we are excited to have you participate in the training. Objectives We aim to train young women from the HKH region on the use of Earth observation (EO) data and GIT for different applications. By equipping these women with the necessary skills and knowledge, we aim to bridge the gender gap in the EO/GIT sector and foster women’s leadership in this field across HKH countries. Expected outcomes Upon completing the training, the participants will better understand the concepts and applications of EO and GIT linked to SERVIR-HKH services, enabling them to use the knowledge gained professionally. Expected participants We expect to take in 200 young women participants (25 from each HKH country) with an academic background in geography, science, engineering, surveying, environmental science, and/or information technology. Interested candidates may apply for participation here: https://servir.icimod.org/wogit-application-form/ The deadline for the submission of applications is 26 May 2023. Selected candidates will be informed via email by 2 June 2023. Participation requisites This training is exclusively for women from the HKH countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or be enrolled in a university-level curriculum at the time of application. Attendance in the training is free. The training will be online on Zoom only; travel and accommodation support is not covered. Selected candidates must ensure the following: Access to a computer with the Windows operating system installed Ability to install and run open-source GIS software Access to reliable internet connection that supports audio/video lectures Availability to attend the online sessions during 13:00–17:00 (NPT) *Please check the agenda for the timings of daily sessions Participants will receive a certificate of completion only upon satisfactory completion of the following requirements: Attendance: Attend at least 80% of the training sessions Assessment forms: Complete the pre- and post-training assessment forms, which will be provided during the training Quiz: Pass the training-related quiz with a minimum score of 50% within 10 days of completing the training. Questions regarding selection and/or participation will not be entertained. Background GIT refers to the use of technologies to collect, store, manipulate, analyse, and visualise spatial or geographic data related to the Earth’s surface and human activity. It uses a range of technologies and concepts including remote sensing, GIS, GPS, and cartography. GIT has multifold applications in decision making for natural resource management, land use and urban planning, and environmental and natural resource management, among other areas. The fields of EO and GIT have seen significant advancements, leading to increased opportunities for innovation in spatial sciences, natural resource management, landscape mapping, strategic planning, and decision making. However, women are underrepresented in the EO/GIT sector, despite their critical role in environmental management and decision making. This gender disparity is particularly prevalent in the HKH region. To address this evident gender gap, we have been organising WoGIT training programmes for young and early-career women under our SERVIR-HKH Initiative for the past five years (2018–2022). In 2022, we scaled out this concept to all HKH countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. Through the WoGIT initiative, we aim to provide significant growth opportunities for women professionals and encourage them to pursue careers in EO/GIT. We hope to empower women to take on leadership roles in this field and reduce the gender gap in the EO/GIT sector across the HKH region. Speakers/facilitators ICIMOD Birendra Bajracharya, Chief of Party – SERVIR-HKH Manish Shrestha, Hydrologist Poonam Tripathi, Training Analyst Rajesh Bahadur Thapa, Senior Remote Sensing and Geoinformation Specialist Sajana Maharjan, Remote Sensing and Geoinformation Analyst Shiba Satyal Banskota, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Lead Sudip Pradhan, Geospatial Application Development Specialist Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) Chinaporn Meechaiya, Senior Project Coordinator/Hydrologist Tentative agenda All timestamps are in NPT. Monday, 12 June 2023 Time Topic 13:00–14:00 Registration Introduction to the training, and troubleshooting any issues related to the installation of required software – Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD Pre-training assessment (10 min) Tuesday, 13 June 2023 Time Topic 13:00–14:00 Opening session (S1) Training overview (15 min) – Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD Keynote speech (30 min) – Chinaporn Meechaiya, ADPC SERVIR-HKH’s efforts towards bridging the gender gap in the HKH (10 min) – Birendra Bajracharya, ICIMOD Group photo 14:00–15:15 Afternoon session (S2) GIS concepts and applications (40 min) – Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD Accessing geospatial datasets from ICIMOD’s Regional Database System (30 min) – Sudip Pradhan, ICIMOD 15:15–15:30 Break 15:30–17:00 Afternoon session (S3) Hands-on exercises – Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD Vector data exploration and visualisation in QGIS Working with vector data, layer properties, projection, symbology, label tools, etc. Using vector geometry tool to calculate area, field calculator, joining attributes Exploring geoprocessing tools Using query builder to perform queries Wednesday, 14 June 2023 Time Topic 13:00–15:15 Afternoon session (S4) Reflections of the previous day (30 min) – Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD RS concepts and applications (40 min) – Rajesh Bahadur Thapa, ICIMOD Hands-on exercises – Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD Exploration and analysis of raster data in QGIS, visualisation, merging, clipping Raster data for topographic analysis – digital elevation model (DEM), slope, aspect, etc. Use of the raster calculator to perform image calculations 15:15–15:30 Break 15:30–17:00 Afternoon session (S5) Hands-on exercises – session continued Satellite data visualisation and interpretation Information extraction, tables, charts, visualisation Results interpretation Thursday, 15 June 2023 Time Topic 13:00–15:30 Afternoon session (S6) Reflections of the previous day (30 min) – Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD Integrating gender equity and social inclusion principles into geospatial services (20 min) – Shiba Satyal, ICIMOD Hands-on exercises – session continued Create your data with EO datasets (Creating and editing vector layers, i.e. point, line, and polygon) Map production in QGIS 15:15–15:30 Break 15:30–17:00 Afternoon session (S7) SERVIR-HKH services – Introduction to Regional Land Cover Monitoring System (RLCMS) data and applications (20 min) – Sajana Maharjan, ICIMOD Demonstration of land cover analysis using the RLCMS/National Land Cover Monitoring System (NLCMS) – TBD Friday, 16 June 2023 Time Topic 13:00–15:30 Afternoon session (S8) Reflections of the previous day (30 min) – Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD Introduction to the High-Impact Weather Assessment Tool (HIWAT) – Manish Shrestha, ICIMOD Introduction to the Flash Flood Prediction Tool and the flood inundation mapping tool – Manish Shrestha, ICIMOD 15:15–15:30 Break 15:30–17:00 Afternoon session (S9) 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