In recognition of the importance of Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS), the Africa Centre of Excellence in ICT-Driven Knowledge Park (OAK-Park) at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has so far organised two Basic Certificate Courses in GIS, first at the University and then the University de Parakou, Republic of Benin.
The first training workshop was organised by the Centre, in collaboration with the Space Application and Environmental Laboratory (SPAEL), OAU, for researchers and students to extend the geospatial footprint on campus.
The training, which was held at the Centre of Excellence for Software Engineering Building, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, attracted a total of 65 participants drawn from nine Departments. They include the Departments of Geography, Urban and Regional Planning, Zoology, Demography and Social statistics, Agric Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Computer Science and Geology and Geophysics, as well as the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Studies.
The resource persons were drawn from SPAEL, Department of Geography and the Co-operative Information Network (COPINE). No fewer than nine delegates from the Republic of Benin were also present at the opening ceremony.
Participants were taken through the concepts and application of Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing. The courses include:
GSC 001: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
GSC 002: Introduction to ArcGIS Desktop
GSC 003: Introduction to Spatial Data Models and Databases
GSC 004: Introduction to Spatial Analysis
GSC 005: Introduction to Map design and Cartography
The Republic of Benin edition of the two-week training workshop, which was held for lecturers and students to extend geospatial footprint in the University, had resource persons drawn from Space Application and Environmental Science Laboratory (SPAEL) and the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences at OAU.
A total of 54 participants (41 males and 13 females), drawn from the Departments of Geography and Agronomy, University De Parakou, attended the training workshop and were taken through the same courses as the former training.
The trainings were expected to bring social and economic development of the Institutions and their immidiate communities. The participants were charged to constantly update their skills since GIS technology is constantly changing.
Students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) ICT-Driven Knowledge Park, using the facilities at the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Laboratory for training