Training in Remote Sensing and GIS Through Short Programes

Training in Remote Sensing and GIS Through Short Programes

P. Venkatachalam
Center of Studies in Resources Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay 400076, India
E-mail : pvenk@cc.iitb.ernet.in

Abstract
Integration of remote sensing with Geographic Information System technology has enhanced the capabilities of remote sensing technology in the area of natural resources management. The application areas are increasing dramatically. It is massive task to transfer these new technologies to end users for operational purpose. Training the decision makes, in service, engineers, scientists and technicians plays an important role. The last decade has witnessed a steady increase in the number of training course and post graduate programmes being offered in educational institutes and R&D organizations all over the world. The target audience vary from high level administrators and professional scientists to application oriented personnel and technicians. Another interesting aspect is the availability of low cost computer systems and software to process the spatial data. Although different levels of courses can be offered starting from basic introductory course to advanced application course for specific discipline, the demand is higher for introductory and general purpose short courses. The centre of studies in Resources Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay is an interdisciplinary Center working in the areas of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems. The Centre conducts regularly training courses of varied durations. However special emphasis has been given for short courses of one week duration the demand for such courses is higher among user departments. Also the state and central government agencies come forward of short courses on geographic information system and its applications. The patterns adopted for one week and four week sources are described.

Introductiion
One of the important spin offs of the space research is satellite based remote sensing which facilitates synoptic view repetitive coverage and provides multispectral and multiresolution data. It enables identification, delineation and mapping of natural resources on regional basis. Integration of remote sensing with Geographic Information system Technology has enhanced its capabilities in the areas of resources management. The application areas are increasing dramatically. It is massive task to transfer these new technologies to end users for operational purpose. GIS are often seen as a multipurpose technology which can satisfy the needs of a variety of users. The process of transferring this technology from laboratory to real world organizations is complex and problematic. It includes users, senior management, technical personnel and computer specialists. The implementation of GIS tends to be a highly resources intensive activity. The experiences of the case studies indicate that regardless of the balance between in house and external development, the financial cost, staff time and variety of skills required are considerable if utilization is to be achieved (Cambell 1994). The training must provide users with sufficient knowledge to be able to handle geographic information as well as the computer technology.

The last decade has witnessed a steady increase in the number of training courses and post graduate programs being offered in educational institutions and R&D organizations. The target audience vary from high level administrators and professional scientists to application oriented personnel and technicians (Elert and Lyons,1980). If senior decision makers receive a formal training in these emerging technologies, they will be prepared and motivated to accelerate the use of these areas in their organizations. They will use their positions of responsibility to initiate or promote programmes incorporating these technologies and will welcome innovation from young officers. Another interesting aspect on transfer of these technologies to user departments is the availability of low cost computer systems and a software to process the spatial data. In the initial stages, many user departments establishing the infrastructure. However with the advent of microcomputers and the availability of low cost software packages, it is becoming possible for the user departments to take advantage to take advantage of these technologies.

Levels of Training
The past experience in training and education of remote sensing and GIS technologies has indicated that three levels of training programs are required to satisfy the needs of three distinct groups (pala, 1987).

A short course of about 1 or 3 weeks duration
This course is meant for the decision makers, planners, manager and administrators. It introduces the principles of remote sensing and geographic information systems to the professionals who do not have any prior exposure to these fields. Both the capabilities and limitations of these technologies are brought out during this course.
A middle level course of 1 or 2 months duration.
This course is suitable or middle level officers or scientists/manager, who supervise the activities of remote sensing and GIS in their organization. The course generally covers principles of remote sensing, visual and digital interpretation of remote sensing data, concept of GIS, use of spatial analysis, integration of remote sensing and GIs and practical demonstrations.
An in depth course of 1 or 2 semesters duration.
This course is tailored for working level scientists and technicians. They must get the capabilities to establish the infrastructure and carry out operational programmes relating to remote sensing and GIS analysis. The course content includes principles of remote sensing and GIS, in depth detail of visual and digital interpretation of remote sensing data, spatial data structures and analysis, integration of remote sensing and GIS for resources applications along with hands on training on GIS packages and digital image processing. Each candidate carries out a case study and submits a dissertation/project report at the end of the programme (Krishnamurty 1988).

Short Courses
Al though different levels of courses can be offered starting from basic introductory course of advanced application course for specific discipline, the demand is higher for introductory and general purpose short courses due to several reasons. Majority of the potential users want to understand the general principles, techniques and the advantages of these technologies before undertaking operational programmes. Also the participants may not be able to be away from their place of employment for long durations.

The center pf studies in Resources Engineerings, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay is conducting short courses of one week duration in Geographic Information system and Remote Sensing. General framework of the course comprises of 15 lectures and 3 practical sessions. Each lecture is of one and half hours duration and the practical session is of 3 hours duration. In the lecture, the expert speaks for about an hours leaving 30 minutes for closer participants. In the practical sessions, the participants are provided hands-on training of GIS packages including remote sensing data analysis for resources applications. This gives an opportunity for closer interaction between the users and technical specialists. If implementation and utilization have to be achieved, the interests of the users must be paramount (Campbell, 1994). General frame of one week course is shown in figure 1.

The number of participants is normally limited to 15 n an attempt to maximise the interaction between the instructors and participants (Kelly and Hill, 1987). Also it helps to provide better hands on training to the participants in the practical session. Moreover when the number of participants is less, the instructors are able to tailor the courses as per clients requirements. The participants are provided the lecture notes and the handouts for each practical session. A PC based GIS package GRAM (Geo-Referenced Area Management) developed by the centre is used for providing hands on training in map digitalization, geo-registration, digital image processing, terrain modeling and spatial analysis. Case studies are illustrated to demonstrate the capabilities of remote sensing and GIS technology for resources management.

Figure 1

The 4 week training programme on GIs has been designed in a modular approach. The first week covers introduction to geographic information systems, remote sensing and data base management systems. As the participants of these short courses come with varied backgrounds, the first week lectures become a prerequisite to bring uniformity among the participants. The second week specializes on spatial data structures, spatial modeling and spatial decision support systems. The third week covers integration of remote sensing growth GUS and application of GIS to water resources, agricultures, forestry, terrain evaluation, mineral resources, urban/regional planning environmental impact assessment etc. During the last week, transfer of GIS technology to the use requirements and the organizational issues for effective transfer are discussed. In addition for the benefit of R and D organizations, open areas of research in GIS are covered. The core curriculum prepared by NCGIA, USA on Introduction, Technical Issues and Application Issues in GIS can be a base material for designing any GIS training any GIS training course (Good child and Karen Kamp, 1990).

Theory lectures are given in the morning sessions while hands on training is provided in the afternoon sessions. The participants select the case studies depending on their specializations and carry out the complete exercised using GRAM GIS Package. In addition, exposure to other GIS packages namely Arc/Info, Intergraph, SPANS, PAMAP, ILWIS etc are provided. Often users face unforeseen difficulties with the software they purchased. The problems include lack of compatibility between software packages, in liability to undertake simple tasks and extremely cumbersome commands. Hence exposure to various packages will give the users an idea to select the package suitable for their application studies. Figure 2 illustrates the structure of 4 week training programme on GIS.

Course Evaluation
An evaluation questionnaire is circulated to the participants on the completion of the course to get feed back from them. The questionnaire asks the participants to evaluate course content, lecturing, practical exercises, course materials and other logistic facilities. The comments and suggestions help to improve the course module and content. Generally, participants are more interested impractical session and case studies compared to theory. They like to spend longer hours in hands on training and less time in listening to lectures.

Conclusion
This paper has explained the short one week and four week training programmes on GIs being conducted at the centre of studies in Resources Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. The courses are suitable for decision makers, planners, and administrators who like to understand the capabilities and limitations of GIS and Remote Sensing technologies. It is observed that he demands for such short courses are increasing day by day. Alsot eh state and central government user agencies come forward to sponsor such courses so that their officers get trained on specific application of their interests. It is hoped that this article may be of use to organization designing short courses on remote sensing and GIS and also to the professional attempting to define the courses they require.

References

Campbell, H., (1994) How effective are GIS in practice? A case study of British local government Int. Journal of Geographic Information Systems, Vol 8, No. 3, pp. 309-325.
Ebert, J.I and Lyons, T.R, (1980) Remote Sensing Training for Cultural Resources managers and Scientists, Technical Papers of te ACSM-ASP Convention, Missouri, pp. 157-163.
Goodchild, M.F and Kemp, K.K, (1990) NCGIA Core Curriculum, National Centre for Geographic Information and Anlysis, Univ. of California, USA.
Kelloy, G.D Hill G.J.E (1987), Short Training Course in Remote Sensing at the Australian Key Centre in Land Information Studies, Proceedings of 4th Austrian Remote Sensing conference, Adelaide, Vol 11, pp.796-802.
Krishnamurthy, J. (1988), Remote Sensing Training and Educational Opportunities in India, NNRMS Brochure 5, ISRO, Banglore, India.
Pala, S., (1987), The Education of working professional in Remote Sensing, Proceedings of 4th Australian Remote Sensing Conference, Adeaicle, Vol 11, pp. 803-814.