Course description               

The training course provides an introduction to (genetic) data management and publication through the Global Genome Biodiversity Network (GGBN), as well as an introduction to the GGBN and the use of its data portal, the data standards and several case studies from Latin American institutions that have published data from different types of collections through the GGBN. The course purpose is to give the necessary foundations to professionals from Latin America to use the GGBN data infrastructure for publishing and giving visibility to the information they preserve.

Learning outcomes  

By the end of this course, participants should be able to:

• Describe the GGBN and its facilities and advantages for data publication.
• Explain the data management and publication workflow through the GGBN.
• Use the GGBN data portal.
• Describe the steps for mapping ABCD and DwC data into the GGBN.
• Compare case studies from Latin America on data publication in the GGBN
• Publish their own collections data through the GGBN.
• Compare the data publication workflows between GGBN and OBIS

Target audience

Target audience and prerequisites (Who should attend? What prerequisite knowledge is required)

• professionals or technicians who have knowledge on biodiversity data standards and that are interested in learning about data management and publication through the GGBN.
• professionals or technicians who work and/or do research in biological collections, especially tissue and DNA collections.
• Priority will be given to candidates from Latin America
• Participants must be fluent in both English and Spanish

Course content (Topics and activities to be covered)

• Introduction to GGBN
• GGBN-the future tool for biodiversity research-Overview and Prospects
• GGBN Document Library
• Access and benefit sharing (ABS), introduction to the topic and its relevance to Latin American Countries
• GGBN’s Support of Member Compliance on ABS
• GGBN Data Portal Tour
• Introduction to the GGBN Data Standard
• Mapping data, how mapping DwC, ABCD-GGBN to a DNA Database works
• Use Case Studies in Latin America.
• How IOC-OBIS manages genetic data

Instructors/Trainers      

• Jonas Astrin (The Leibniz - Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change)
• Jackie Mackenzie-Dodds (Natural History Museum, London)
• Katie Barker (Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History)
• Manuela da Silva (Foundation Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Brasil)
• Astrid Mestier du Bourg (Botanical Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin)
• Jörg Holetschek (Botanical Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin)
• Gilberto A. Ocampo Acosta (Universidad Autónoma de Aguas Calientes, México)
• Ana Lourdes Medrano Cedillo (Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, México)
• Santiago R. Ron Melo (Pontifica Universidad Católica del Ecuador).
• Angie D. González Galindo (Universidad Nacional de Colombia)
• Giomar H. Borrero Pérez (INVEMAR)
• Erika Montoya Cadavid (INVEMAR)

Language

Both Spanish and English

Pre-course Activities or Assessment

No

Learner assessment

A certificate of completion will be issued if all course modules segments have been completed, and a minimum of 80% is achieved on the assessments (quizzes, assignments). Attendance of all online synchronous question and discussion sessions is mandatory.

Pre-requisites:

Language and computer skills required (Applicants are expected to have):

• A good working knowledge of English and Spanish
• Basic computer skills

Technology requirements (to complete this course, participants should have access to):

• Computer with Windows or Mac operating system
• Latest version of either Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari web browsers
• Access to stable internet
• Speakers and microphone or headset

Course duration and format 

Length of course 20 hours (8 synchronous hours (mandatory attendance) and 12 hours of individual/asynchronous work). This online course includes both synchronous and asynchronous work / learning: the modules will be taught through pre-recorded or live talks. The content of each module will be reviewed during synchronous question and discussion sessions. Each module will be complemented with readings related to the topics taught. Evaluations will be applied on what has been learned to finish each module and the course.

Synchronous sessions schedule (mandatory attendance):

1. Monday. 7 November 2022, 8:00-9:00 am
2. Wednesday 9 November  2022, hora 8:00 - 9:30 am
3. Friday 11 November 2022, hora 8:00 - 9:30 am
4. Tuesday 15 November 2022, hora 8:00 - 9:30 am
5. Friday 18 November 2022, hora 8:00 - 10:00 am

All refer to Santa Marta/Bogota (Colombia) time zone. Synchronous sessions are planned to take place using BigBlueButton.

Application Process

Interested candidates should apply for the course by filling in the online form not later than 17 October 2022 (23:59 Central European Time (CEST)). Call for applications has been extended till 23 October 2022 (23:59 CEST)

No tuition fees apply.

UNESCO is committed to promote equal access principles. Applications from minority or underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.

Selection criteria (30 seats available)

Participants should be:

• Working on biodiversity data standards and need to improve their data management and are planning on publishing it through the GGBN.
• Working or doing research on biological collections, especially tissue and DNA collections.
• Able to demonstrate the impact of the training at their host institute level.
• Demonstrate that their host institution (if they have) supports their participation in the workshop.
• A good working knowledge of English and Spanish.

NB: Priority will be given to candidates from Latin America

Contacts:

Course Coordinators at INVEMAR:

• Giomar Borrero (giomar.borrero@invemar.org.co),
• Erika Montoya Cadavid (erika.montoya@invemar.org.co)
• Carolina García (carolina.garcia@invemar.org.co)

OTGA Secretariat: ioc.training@unesco.org

In case of questions please use the contacts above always using the name of the course as email subject.

Cancellation policy

In the event of cancellation of the course by the OTGA or its affiliates, we will provide notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date. In the event of cancellation by the attendee, we should receive notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date.