The F2F course of the EO AFRICA R&D Facility will take place in Cairo, Egypt in close collaboration with the National Authority for Remote Sensing & Space Sciences (NARSS).
In this course, participants will get an introduction to cloud-based techniques for assessing vegetation dynamics with Earth Observation data. The training includes face-to-face lecturing and reading material to provide the theoretical background. Hands-on exercises will demonstrate the applications of the methods and step by step pdf tutorials will be provided as well.
Upon completion of this course, the participant will:
- Have gained fundamental knowledge on understanding the basic principles and using Earth Observation data.
- Become aware of the Copernicus Programme, with a focus over the African continent (GMES&Africa), and the available software tools for EO analyses.
- Learn about the advances in using optical and SAR satellite imagery for applications related to vegetation and crop monitoring.
- Become familiar with the use of the Innovation Lab developed by EO AFRICA R&D Facility with open-source software, where practise on among others assessment of vegetation dynamics with Sentinel-2 and crop mapping with optical and SAR data will take place.
- Develop a group project within Innovation Lab, under the supervision of trainers, using the knowledge gained during the course, on a topic of interest, and present it.
ABOUT THE COURSE
CAN I APPLY?
Who can participate?
Space is limited to max. 25 Participants. Selection will be based on relevant academic background, work experience and motivation to participate. We will strive to have a gender-balanced and country-balanced group of participants. You will receive a confirmation an e-mail about selection results and further information by October 23, 2023.
Participants should reside in one of the African countries, should have an academic background related to Agriculture, Vegetation monitoring or similar. Participants are also expected to have a knowledge of Earth Observation principles and basic image processing techniques. Prior experience in Python programming and the use of cloud environments will be an asset. Young researchers in this field are encouraged to apply!
Speakers:
Registration:
Schedule
Each day will consist of morning and afternoon sessions with total duration of 6 hours. The sessions will focus on the introduction to the general set-up of the EO AFRICA R&D facility, introduction to the Copernicus Program, the cloud computing environment, EO data access, EO data (optical & SAR) processing using various cloud-based tools including practical hands-on sessions. Participants will be asked to present a short case study related to a vegetation monitoring or other agriculture/forestry related topic and area of their interest, developed under supervision of trainers.
- Morning session: 9:00 – 12:00– 3 hours
- Lunch break: 12:00 – 13:00
- Afternoon session: 13:00 – till approx… 16:00 – 3 hours
Certificate of Attendance
All participants who will complete the course and present their individual case study will receive a Certificate of Attendance issued by the EO Africa R&D Facility.
Technical requirements
Participants are requested to bring their own laptop. Access to the Innovation Lab (EOAFRICA’s cloud computing facility) will be granted prior to the course.
It is strongly advised that the participants follow the first 2 On-line courses of the EO AFRICA R&D Space Academy ("Cloud Computing and Algorithms for EO Analyses" and "Principles of and advances in Earth Observation"). Participants will get access upon acceptance for this Face to Face course – or can self-enroll already at:
- EO AFRICA – Cloud Computing for EO Analyses
- EO AFRICA – Principles of and advances in EO (optical and SAR)
(please note that registering is needed)
Cost
Attendance to the training course is free of charge.
Participants will need to arrange and pay their own travel, subsistence and accommodation. Lunch will be provided during the workshop. The Facility can sponsor up to EUR 200 to cover out of town travel expenses. Local travel cost will not be reimbursed. Accommodation can be arranged if required. Should you want to apply for this funding, please indicate it in the application form. Payment of the 200 Euro (max) will go via bank transfer and will be arranged after completion of the workshop.