Capacity building by education and training in GIS

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Capacity building by education and training in
GIS remote sensing and the role of distance
learning in southern Africa
Dr Nigel Trodd Paul van Helden Nikolaus
Strobel Derek Reeve
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• without more and better higher education,
  developing countries will find it increasingly
  difficult to benefit from the global
  knowledge-based economy
• World Bank UNESCO (2000)

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Aim

• To assess opportunities for boundary
  conditions to education training in GIS
  remote sensing.

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Objectives

• Characterise options for education training.
• Review the UNIGIS experience.
• Identify factors controlling successful distance
  learning programmes.

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Education Training Options

• Content.
• Level.
• Mode of delivery.

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What / Who is

• International network.
• Develop share distance learning materials.
• MSc / PgD GIS.
• Design, planning management of GIS projects.

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in southern Africa

• University of Pretoria Port Elizabeth
  Technikon.
• First students registered in 1996.
• 250 students and their employers have already
  benefited.
• Portfolio of courses.

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Conclusions (Why) Does Distance Learning Work?

• Learn from mistakes.
• Targeting GI professionals.
• Co-operate globally.
• Customise locally.
• Flexible learning environments.
• Learn to manage change.