KAB holds Hands-On GIS Training to Enhance Skills in Water Management for staff and Students

Faculty members and students from the Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at Kabale University recently participated in a comprehensive hands-on training program focused on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications in hydrology and water management.

Conducted over four days at KABSOM hostels in Makanga, Kabale Municipality, the training attracted lecturers and students alike, supported by AfricaUniNet. The event culminated in the distribution of certificates of attendance to all participants.

During the closing ceremony, Dr. Alex Saturday, the host and Lecturer in the Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, underscored the importance of the GIS training, emphasizing its relevance to hydrology and water management. The training covered a range of topics, data, and methods commonly used in these fields, including the application of standard GIS tools, mapping and visualization of GIS data, catchment and stream network delineation, erosion hot spot identification, and geo-referencing for land use and land cover change mapping.

Dr.  Saturday highlighted that participants gained practical expertise in spatial data analysis for water management, utilizing open-source GIS software such as QGIS. He encouraged participants to leverage the knowledge gained from the training to advance their careers in the field.

Dr. Phiona Mutenkanga lecturer at Kabale University, speaking at the event, emphasized the importance of enhancing training facilities and providing adequate equipment at Kabale University to empower students and lecturers with practical skills. She commended the funders for their continuous support and emphasized the significance of hands-on training for prospects and career advancement.

Dr. Mathew Herrnegger, a lead trainer from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), expressed gratitude for the active participation of students and highlighted the potential for fruitful outcomes from the training. He encouraged participants to continue practicing in the field and called for sustained partnership and cooperation.

The project received support from AfricaUniNet, funded by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science, and Research, and administered by OeAD-GmbH/Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalization. This collaboration underscores the commitment to advancing education and skills development in hydrology and water management for the benefit of Kabale University and the wider community.

This hands-on GIS training represents a significant step towards equipping faculty and students with practical skills and knowledge to address real-world challenges in water management and environmental sustainability.