Course description

Geospatial science provides vital information on the sustainable use of the coastal resource and planning. It an imperative use such techniques for managing densely populated coastal environs. This course provides an overview of GIS applications pertaining to coastal vulnerability and analysis. It will provide the basic GIS mapping techniques on storm surge vulnerability, and its socio-economic impact using open-source GIS tools. Course also includes data acquisition, processing, analysis and interpretation of coastal spatial data. In addition, extensive hands-on sessions will be conducted to use tools for preparation of thematic base maps for coastal vulnerability due to Tsunamis, Storm surges and their impact.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, learners should be able to:

• Describe spatial data: raster and vector models
• Explain the core tasks involved in the GIS analysis process including data acquisition, management, manipulation and analysis, and presentation and output
• Apply QGIS, GRASS tools and Plug-in tools
• Create and edit spatial data
• Discuss coastal and marine GIS data applications.

Target Audience

Target audiences include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Ocean and coastal data managers
• Staff and researchers working on marine GIS applications
• University graduates

NOTE: priority will be given to participants originating from the Indian Ocean Rim countries. UNESCO is committed to promote gender equality: applications from women are strongly encouraged.

Language of instruction:

English

Instructors/Trainers:

• R. S. Mahendra, Scientist INCOIS, MoES
• Prakash C Mohanty, Scientist INCOIS, MoES
• H. Shiva Kumar, Scientist INCOIS, MoES
• V. Chandra Sekhar, Scientist INCOIS, MoES

Pre-course Activities or Assessment

The mandatory online phase of the course takes place between 13-17 November 2023 and this will be followed by the onsite course from 20-24 November.  In total +/- 80 hours. The shortlisted candidates are expected to go through all the online course material and finish reading the material and the assignments before participating in the onsite course. The grades of the assignments will be added to the final grades.

Candidates must also familiarize themselves with the following:

• Working knowledge of marine data and formats and preferably be working in institutions responsible for the management of marine data
• Previous experience in the use of GIS

Participants should preferably bring their own laptops.

Learner assessment

Assignment and tests will be conducted during the course while undergoing training. Pre-course assignments will also be counted for final grade.

Pre-requisites:

Language and computer skills required:

Applicants are expected to have:

• a working knowledge of English
• basic computer skills
• finding resources through search engines
• downloading and installing software
• using a word processing, presentation software, or other productivity applications
• using a data plotting application (e.g., Grapher, Origin, Sigma Plot)
• experience/familiarity with a variety of file formats such as: .pdf, doc or .docx, .txt, and .csv
• the ability to be self-directed in learning new technology skills (e.g., following a step-by-step tutorial, online video help, or access to support to learn necessary skills)
• Computer with Linux based (ubuntu) operating system or dual boot with Linux

Technology requirements

To complete this course, you should have access to:

1. Latest version of either Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari web browsers
2. Linux (preferably ubuntu 16.04 or above)
3. Install QGIS software (https://www.qgis.org/en/site/forusers/download.html)
4. Access to internet (access during the onsite phase will be provided by INCOIS only to those who have valid antivirus installed)
5. For dual boot systems with Linux-Windows, Original Windows OS and active antivirus subscription required for INCOIS provided internet access.

Application Process

A limited number of seats (30) is available. Please complete the online application form available on this https://otga.wufoo.com/forms/zkb8vbi0spv0y1/. The deadline to submit the application is 15 September 2023 (23:59 CET: Central European Time). There are no tuition fees.

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

A limited number (up to 5 seats depending on costs) of fellowships for international participants is available (partial or in full). For international participants requesting financial support (full or partial), a dully signed endorsement letter from the institution where the applicant is working is mandatory, to be uploaded on the online application form (email not accepted). Failure to submit it will imply automatic exclusion.

Selection process/criteria (30 seats available):

• Only professional or technical staff in the field will be considered (students in graduate level are not admitted)
• Endorsement of the application by his/her employer (by means of a letter of support from the entity to which he belongs and to which he/she will apply the acquired knowledge) is mandatory.
• The expected impact of training on the institution from where the participant is attending.
• Priority will be given to participants from Indian Ocean RIM countries.

Contacts:

• Course Coordinator: TVS Udaya Bhaskar (uday@incois.gov.in)
• OTGA Secretariat: ioc.training@unesco.org

In case of questions please contact the Course Coordinator and the OTGA Secretariat 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.