The Role of Universities in Earth Observation Prof

The Role of Universities in Earth Observation Prof. dr. Amon Murwira University of Zimbabwe (UZ) Department of Geography and Environmental Science: GIScience and Earth Observation Centre of Excellence

Introduction EO Societal Benefits q Universities within EO Landscape q MESA within Teaching, Research context q GIScience & EO Staff Development q GIScience & EO Infrastructure Development q Capacity Building Role in the SADC Region q Further International Involvement q

Societal Benefit Areas

Context of Universities in Earth Observation Prof. dr. Amon Murwira University of Zimbabwe (UZ) Department of Geography and Environmental Science: GIScience and Earth Observation Centre of Excellence

Universities and the EO Landscape

Context of University of Zimbabwe GIScience and EO development and MESA Prof. dr. Amon Murwira University of Zimbabwe Department of Geography and Environmental Science: GIScience and Earth Observation Centre of Excellence

MESA UZ context

MESA Satellite Receiving Station within UZ context GIScience and EO key 21 st Century knowledge area q Realisation key to GIScience & EO development q

MESA within UZ context

New GIScience and EO based undergraduate Geography Programmes 1. Bsc Hons in GIScience and Earth Observation 2. Bsc Hons in Environmental Science 3. Bsc Hons in Human Environment 4. Bsc Hons in Geographical Biogeosciences

Postgraduate Programmes 1. Msc Environmental Policy and Planning 2. Msc Geography and Environmental Science 3. 4. 5. 6. (New) Msc GIScience and Remote Sensing (New) Msc Climate Science and Modelling (New) MPhil Science Ph. D Science

Research programmes Research focuses on GIScience and Earth Observation q Research also organised around GIScience and Earth Observation q

Research Highlight: EO based Yield estimation F Kuri 1*, et al (2014) Predicting maize yield in Zimbabwe using dry dekads derived from remotely sensed vegetation condition index International Journal of Applied Earth Observation, 3, 39 -46.

Elephant tracking Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park 27 April 2015 q Elephant fitted with collar – Gonarezhou National Park (May 2015)

GNSS elephant position May 2015

Elephants! Tambahate Pools GLTFCA: 17 -9 -2013 from Satellite!! Tambahate Pools

MESA Satellite Receiving Station within UZ context

Staff Development Programmes q UZ actively involved in Staff Development Programmes at Ph. D level to support the GIScience and Earth Observation curriculum focus

MESA Satellite Receiving Station within UZ context

New GIS and EO Labs q Current Capacity 190 + Servers

UAV Remote Sensing UZ

GI-Technology Integration UAV UZ investing in UAV, VRT & smart phone Technology Integration For maximum GI-output VRT SMART PHONE

Capacity Building: Example of University role in the SADC Region Prof. dr. Amon Murwira University of Zimbabwe Department of Geography and Environmental Science: GIScience and Earth Observation Centre of Excellence

MESA Satellite Receiving Station within UZ context

Hosting MESA SADC Thema Regional Training March 2015 University of Zimbabwe successfully hosted the MESA SADC thema Regional Training from 9 -19 March 2015 q Provided 5 GIScience and EO Laboratories with combined carrying capacity of 130 GIS and Remote sensing PCs q

MESA Capacity Building Role in the SADC Region: UZ Committed UZ Vice Chancellor: Prof. dr. L. M. Nyagura Officially opened the MESA Regional Training Workshop 9 March 2015

MESA Capacity Building Role in the SADC Region: UZ Committed UZ Venue for Official Opening of MESA Regional Training 9 March 2015

MESA Capacity Building Role in the Region: UZ Committed Official Opening of MESA Regional Training 9 March 2015 was well attended

MESA Capacity Building Role in the SADC Region UZ Venue for MESA Regional Training 9 -19 March 2015: Geography and Environmental Science: GIS and EO Centre

MESA Capacity Building Role in the SADC Region Teamwork key asset to UZ involvement in MESA q

This is how far EO has gone in 2015!! The UZ involved in initiative

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Conclusions Universities are key to sustainability of Earth Observation activities q EO Curriculum review in Universities key to amplifying the role of Universities in Earth Observation q Need for Universities to realise their critical role in the Earth Observation landscape q Emphasis on Regional and International Collaborations is key q

Thank you Siyabonga/Tatenda Asante Sana UZ@60: Celebrating Our Past Inspiring the Future

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