ARC GIS And Remote Sensing

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Following the award to Kenyatta University of ARCGIS ESRI ENTERPRISE LICENSE that is accessible to all students and staff through the Esri’s 100 African University’s programme, the university has embarked on a training programme to enable staff and students benefit from the geospatial tools now at their disposal.
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ICT Director explaining to ESRI International Cooperate Director and ESRI EA Manager the network connectivity. Looking on is the Dean SES

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that made this possible was signed between the Vice Chancellor Kenyatta University and the Managing Director, ESRI Eastern Africa Kenyatta and witnessed by various stakeholders. The MoU was signed in June 2012, and the ArcGIS campus wide Server License was received in May 2013. Kenyatta University ICT Directorate has made the necessary connectivity to enable the students and staff access the license for geospatial related research and teaching.

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Checking out the network connectivity in one of the labs

The Esri 100 African University’s programme is a 10- million dollars initiative launched by Esri to support and enhance the study of Geographic Information System (GIS) among students in 100 African Universities. Kenyatta University is the first Kenyan University and indeed the first African University to receive and start implementing the use of the license under the programme.

Among many other benefits, knowledge in GIS and Remote Sensing will allow students and staff learn its application and to have a better

appreciation and understanding of the world and the development processes therein through visualizing data in many ways that reveal relationships, patterns, and trends in the form of maps, statistics, reports, and charts.

A Number of computer labs at Kenyatta University have been identified and equipped with ArcGIS to give a wider access and training opportunity to those who may not have their own computers and also to have a class room environment for teaching and research. Among the labs are:

Environmental Studies Computer Lab (Training)		Eng. & Tech. Computer Lab (Training)
Computer & Info. Technology Lab (Training)		KU-BSSC Computer Lab (Practice)
KU Students Computer Centre lab (practice)		KU Students Computer Centre lab (practice)
Post Modern Library Research Computer lab (practice)		Post Modern Library Research Computer lab (practice)

The other access points will be established as demanded by the individual Schools especially for postgraduate use. Esri has also given access to Kenyatta University’s Post Modern library a link to General Esri E Books., Technology E- Books and Industries E-books

Free ESRI virtual campus online training courses can be found at this link

One great Esri application the GIS Team in KU has identified for everyone is the Esri Story Maps. A story map is a web map that has been thoughtfully created and integrates maps, legends, text, photos and video. It can be used to communicate policy, involve the community, promote a cause, demonstrate benefits, provide public information about an event, educate or simply inspire.

Hundreds of thousands of story maps have been created and you can view some of them by visiting this link . Building a story map is very easy and the Six-Step process of doing so can be found at this link

The first of the major activity to be implemented by Kenyatta University was the hosting of the ESRI Eastern Africa education Users Conference on the theme learning more and more about Geospatial Technologies.

The conference proceedings are found at this link and provides interesting reading. The conference was graced by among others the Vice Chancellor, Kenyatta University, Two ESRI Education Managers; Dr. Michael Gould and Dr Joseph Kerski, and ESRI Eastern Africa Managing Director, Mr. Willy Simons.

Another major spin-off of the collaboration with Esri was the development of the University Geographical Data Portal which is currently posted on the university website home page www.ku.ac.ke . This data is undergoing review to reflect the current geospatial changes in the university. This will be the platform for My Story Maps and Campus GIS. CERNVec: Community of Excellence for Research in Neglected tropical Diseases ,click this link has used the platform before for a training workshop on Mapping Diseases.

VC KU delivering her Speech during the 1st EASRI Education Users conference held at KU.

Dr. Gould with from left, Registrar RIO, ESRI EA Manager, DVC Academic, among other members of senor University Staff

CERNVec Trainees on Disease Mapping

CERNVec Trainees on Disease Mapping

Kenyatta University has in a number of occasions hosted a number of top Management from ESRI who have visited the university to familiarize themselves with the infrastructure at the University that will support the ESRI ArcGIS License. The University has also mounted massive sensitization of staff and students on the availability of the software through several planned trainings.

Upcoming GIS activities

ESRI Eastern Africa Education Users Conference on the theme GIS for Everyone on Campus: 20-21 November, 2014 University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania:Click this link

GIS Day 2014 will be celebrated on 19th November. There is lots of information on how to organize a GIS day at this link

Geographic Information System (GIS) is built on knowledge of various academic disciplines which make a new interdisciplinary science. GIS is a unifying factor that is used to solve common spatial problem in a holistic approach. Read more about concepts on GIS definition and concepts.

KENYATTA UNIVERSITY GISDAY 2018 – THE MAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH.

Kenyatta University GIS Club (KUGISC) with the support of Kenyatta University, School of Environmental Studies, the Department of Environmental Planning and Management and the Directorate of Capacity Development and Consultancy Services and in partnership with Esri Eastern Africa, Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) and Oakar Services will be holding GISDay 2018 Celebrations on Wednesday 14th November 2018. The GISDay will be preceded by two days of workshops and trainings.

The theme of this year’s GISDay is “DISCOVERING THE WORLD THROUGH GIS” and Kenyatta University’s Rallying Call is “MAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH”

The GISDay aim at creating a platform for interaction and sharing of Geospatial Knowledge and experiences with the general public, the Geospatial institutions and stakeholders and within the University Community. The targeted groups include the public, government departments and agencies, the county governments, the students from the country and the region, organizations, firms and industries among others.

All are invited to join the Kenyatta University community of geospatial knowledge users and researchers. Come and see and experience how. Did you know you can make your own maps? Did you know you can use your mobile as a GPS data collector? Do you know what Story Maps are and how to make and use them? What about extracting high resolution images from Google Earth? Make a choice of the workshop you want to attend by REGISTERING FOR THE FOLLOWING EVENTS BELOW:

14/11/2018 - GISDay 2018 Celebration and Public Talks (Open)

12/11/2018 - Workshop 1: Survey 123 Collector (50pax)

12/11/2018 - Workshop 2: Open Source GIS (50pax)

13/11/2018 - Workshop 3: Hexagon Smart App (50pax)

13/11/2018 - Workshop 4: ArcGIS Pro and Online (50pax)

>>>>>>Download Program

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kenyatta-university-gis-day-2018-tickets-51759506076

Come and see students project presentations at SZ-40 EPM Studio at 844 Complex on 12th and 13th November 2018.

The GISday will be celebrated on Wednesday 14th November 2018. Kenyatta University invites you to join us in a day of public lectures and presentations and poster exhibitions on application of GIS and Remote Sensing.

Kenyatta University is the place to be having been the first in Eastern Africa to receive and implement Esri 100 Africa University’s Site license; named a GIS reference account in Eastern Africa, received Esri Special Achievement in GIS Award (SAG Award – 2015), Her student was nominated one of the Esri 2018 Young Scholars Award and a staff named Esri GIS Ambassador for Africa.

KU has successfully organized and conducted the previous GIS days, trainings by external trainers and was actively involved in Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) International Conference - RIC 2017 and 2018.

Kenyatta University GIS Club (KUGISC) with a 2018 membership of 250, was formed by KU students. The club aims at empowering its members with the spatial knowledge, skills and expertise. These are meant to enable the students boost their spatial knowledge application in research and global problem solving. The club has initiated a variety of activities through which students interact and sensitize each other in sharing geospatial knowledge and experiences. Through many efforts, networking and presence in the geospatial sphere, KUGISC was awarded and recognized among the best YouthMappers Global Network.

Social Media
Facebook – Kenyatta University GIS Club.
Twitter - @KUGIS_Club
YouTube – Kenyatta University GIS Club
Email – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Kenyatta University: A Lighthouse of Geospatial knowledge in Sub-Saharan Africa. Prof Simon Onywere shines the Torch of GIS from KU

Kenyatta University is now a regional and sub-Saharan Africa education site license ESRI reference account providing a real case study on how to successfully implement a site license. The university is now a continental lighthouse who’s GIS light is beaming far and wide. Now more and more universities are contacting Esri Eastern Africa wanting them to do to them what they have done to KU.

Prof. Simon Onywere of the Department of Environmental Planning and Management is the ESRI site license administrator at KU. For his role in sensitising the university community on the site licence and the visibility this has created for Kenyatta University he was crowned the 2014 ESRI GIS Champion in Eastern Africa Region and indeed in the sub-Saharan Africa. He and his small team of GIS technical support and training team now receives invitations from other universities to provide thought leadership on GIS, Esri’s 100 Africa Universities Program and ArcGIS education site license implementation. The African universities now seeking the support of ESRI 100 African Universities programme are borrowing from the experience of Kenyatta University in the implementation process.

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The KU GIS Team from left: Prof. Simon Onywere, Solomon Mwenda, Elizabeth Maende and Anthony Gakobo

World GIS Day 2015 Celebrations

World GIS Day is a culmination of a weeklong Geography Week to sensitize people about the importance of geography and to raise awareness on the use of geographic information which is held annually around the world. It is celebrated every third week of November every year and it brings together GIS professionals to showcase what spatial technology is capable of doing to solve global problems. The theme of 2015 GIS day was Discovering the World through GIS and Kenyatta University, a beneficiary of Esri 100 African Universities Programme, joined the other GIS users in the world to commemorate the day.

GIS day at Kenyatta University took place this year on November 18th, 2015 from 8:00 am to 4: 30 pm at the KU-BSSC ROOM 014 on the main Campus. Around 300 participants came out for the event, including Kenyatta university students, Kenyatta university faculty representatives, JKUAT students, Esri representatives, RCMRD and Oakar Services representatives and students from the University of Nairobi.The event kicked off at 8.00 am with the registration of participants. Read Full Report

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Registrar Academic Dr. Stephen N. Nyaga next to Prof. Onywere and participants take a group photo

In November 2014 Prof Onywere lead a delegation of 8 Kenyatta University Participants to the 2nd Esri Eastern Africa GIS Education User Conference, held at the University of Dar Es Salaam where the team demonstrated how as an Esri ArcGIS licensed education user Kenyatta University has managed to impart spatial knowledge in teaching and Research. The conference brought together 21 Universities and geospatial users from the East African Region. The KU GIS Team also mounted a very successful GIS Day celebrated every Wednesday of the 3rd week of November each year. 2014 GIS Day theme was on “Discovering the World through GIS”. The KU GIS team has also conducted a number of training workshops in KU. The 1st Esri Eastern Africa GIS Education User Conference had been hosted by KU in 2013.

Valuable insights that the university has provided on an education site license implementation are:

The critical role of an enlightened internal GIS champion who offers his/her time, dedication and commitment helping others in the university to envision the benefits and possibilities with GIS and start moving forward.
The need for university-wide capacity building support to drive quicker adoption of GIS and use of the availed licenses across all Schools.
Executive support from Top University Management and Especially the Vice Chancellor should exist. Otherwise adopting GIS at the enterprise level within the university will not be possible.
The ICT Directorate is an invaluable cog as the directorate provides all the ICT infrastructure and technical support to successfully implement a site license.

GIS and Remote Sensing Training for Mapping of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) 15th - 18th December 2014, Kenyatta University, BSCC

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NTD Mapping Training Participants

Kenyatta University with the support of Community of Excellence for Research in Neglected Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases (CERNvec) conducted a training on “GIS and Remote Sensing for Mapping of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)” between 15th and 18th December, 2014. The training was sponsored by ICIPE/CERNvec Project and draw participation from CERNVRC Partners of Kenyatta University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Ministry of Health (DDRS and NTD programme) and Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).

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Collecting and recording schools data using GPS

CERNvec is a platform that brings together researchers, scientists, students and other practitioners in health sciences to share ideas and information specifically on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Africa. The main objective of the training was to link the participant to the GIS application in disease mapping using the available ArcGIS toolThe training focused on “hands on” training using ArcGIS 10.1 available within the KU_GIS ESRI campus wide license, GIS data extraction, visualization and analysis of field data in GIS. Read More

8 participants from Kenyatta University attend the 2nd Esri Eastern Africa Education GIS User Conference 20th - 21st November, 2014, at University of Dar es Salaam

Esri-EA GIS Education User Conference participant in front of Nkrumah Hall University of Dar es Salaam

The 2nd Esri Eastern Africa GIS Education User Conference, 2014 was held at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania where Kenyatta University was represented by 8 participants. The main objective of the Education User Conference was to demonstrate how Esri ArcGIS licensed education users are able to use Esri products in imparting spatial knowledge in their institution of higher learning see “Agenda for the 2nd Esri Eastern Africa Education GIS User Conference”. The conference brought together 21 Universities and geospatial users from the East African Region. This included among others: Kenyatta University, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Ardhi University, University of Bagamoyo, University of Dar es Salaam, Makerere University, Southern and Eastern Africa Mineral Centre and the World Vision. The Institutions made presentations on the way they have been able to use Esri ArGIS Products and other tools to impart spatial knowledge in teaching and research or within their work environment. Kenyatta University, one of the beneficiaries of the Esri 100 African University programme, had the highest number of participant outside of the University of Dar es Salaam. The KU presenters were able to demonstrate how in the last six months they have used ArcGIS tools in training and research. Esri The keynote speaker, who was from Esri especially, thanked Kenyatta University Top Management for their dedication and support to geospatial knowledge. The universities now seeking the support of ESRI 100 African Universities programme are borrowing from the experience of Kenyatta University in the implementation process.

The first presentation from KU was on “The Impact of Campus-Wide GIS License on Teaching and Research in Kenyatta University” by Anthony Gakobo Macharia. Mr. Gakobo took the participant through the process KU adopted in training on GIS concepts and applications using ArcGIS Tools. The second presentation for Kenyatta University was on “Application of GIS to Hospital Management, Patient Care and Patient Flow Systems” by Mugambi Kelvin Mwenda, a 4th year student from the School of Environmental Studies, Department of Environment and Community Development. Kelvin has been trained to use ArcGIS and has come up with a proposal for his final research project to use ArcGIS campus editing for hospital management.

The third KU Presentation and the pick of pick presentation for that day was on “Campus Mapping using GIS to make Informed Decision on Campus” by Prof. Onywere. Prof. Onywere took the participants through the process of mapping various facilities on KU campus that the GIS trainees mapped during their application phases and the consolidated data and map product that now forms the basis for campus mapping. Other Presentations from Kenyatta University were 4 posters by Esther Kagure, Nancy Wachiuri, Caroline Akoth and Simon Onywere.

Kelvin of KU receiving ESRI gift from Dr. Chauda

Carol and Nancy of KU with Dr. Gould

Dr. Michael Gould commended Prof. Onywere, the GIS point persons, for his passion for GIS and for steering the ESRI ArcGIS Enterprise license implementation process. He was recognized by Esri and crowned as a Geospatial Champion in Eastern Africa for 2014 and was dressed in a Esri maroon Polo T-shirt to symbolize leadership in the GIS arena. Kenyatta University Management was also commended for their support to the programme. In the second day of the conference, Prof. Onywere took the Esri GIS educators through a step by step explanation of how KU went through the implementation of Esri 100 Africa Universities license in teaching and research through a presentation on “Kenyatta University Experience with Esri Site License”. He emphasized the need of involving the top university management right from the beginning to ensure transparency and financial support and the ICT department which supports the infrastructure where the software sit and run on. Read full report

Kenyatta University GIS Day Held on 18th November.2014

Theme: Discovering the World through GIS.
Lecture Series held at KU-BSSC ROOM 014

Kenyatta University marked Esri GIS DAY celebrations on Tuesday 18th Nov. 2014, rather than on Wednesday 19th Nov. 2014 to enable the KU-GIS Team travel to Dar es Salaam to attend the Esri GIS Education Users Conference. The GIS DAY is a worldwide event held every 3rd Wednesday of November each year. It brings together people using GIS and related spatial knowledge to solve global problems and make the earth a better place to live in. The theme for 2014 GIS DAY was Discovering the World through GIS and Kenyatta University, a beneficiary of Esri 100 African Universities Programme, joined the other GIS users world over in commemorating the day in style.

Registration during the KU GIS DAY

Group Photograph of some KU participants

The GIS DAY programme of events included 4 lectures from: the Department of Resource Surveys and Remote Sensing – DRSRS (Application of Geo-Spatial Information for Sustainable Development: Functions and Operations – Dr. James Mwangi Kinyanjui); ICIPE Earth Observation Unit (The Application of GIS and Remote Sensing on ICIPE’s R&D Paradigms – Dr Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman); ESRI East Africa (GIS Solutions for Natural Resources – Ms. Pauline Okeyo); Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development – RCMRD (Serving the Geospatial needs of the Region through GIS and Database Application -Ms Eunice Wangui Mwangi) and RCMRD Server programme (Using Geospatial Knowledge to Impact Development and Decision-making NASA/USAID Programme - Shannon Sarbo and Wahu Mbatia).

Participants keenly following GIS DAY Lecture

Dr. Kinyanjui of DRSRS Delivering a Lecture

The GIS DAY was also marked by GIS Application Map Stories and GIS Day Video Presentations, Exhibitions, and Posters by students and staff, culminating in awarding of 5 best student posters and the closing ceremony

Students pose in front of GIS Day map posters

One of the best GIS students receiving award

The day ended with a lot of gratitude to all those who made it possible to host the GIS DAY and making the day a success. The invited guest speakers and some students were invited for a late lunch courtesy of the Vice Chancellor. This formed yet another mini session for interaction before the guest dispersed at their pleasure. There being no other business, the KU_GIS team unpinned the maps and started preparing to travel for the Esri-Education Users Conference in Dar-es-Salaam the following day.

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KU_GIS team: From left Prof. Simon Onywere, Elizabeth Maende, Solomon Mwenda & Anthony Gakobo. Read the full report.

KU GIS Team Make a Presentation to the Vice Chancellor on 21st October 2014.

The KU-GIS Team on 21st Oct 2014 paid a courtesy call to the Vice Chancellor and made a presentation on the progress made by the team in making accessible the ArcGIS Tools through the ESRI 100 Africa Universities Programme for teaching and research to the KU Community. Present during the meeting were:

1. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olive Mugenda, ESRI ArcGIS License Owner
2. Prof. Simon Onywere, the KU-GIS Team Leader.
3. Mr. John Njenga, Esri EA Training Manager
4. Mr. Anthony Gakobo, KU GIS Trainer and ICIPE/CERNVEC Intern.
5. Mr. Solomon Mwenda, GIS Trainer and ICIPE/CERNVEC Intern
6. Mr. Peter Mwirigi, GIS Training Administrator.

The Vice Chancellor was presented by a map of Kenyatta University prepared through the training programme

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KU_GIS team with the VC in her office (from left, Gakobo, Onywere, the Vice Chancellor, Njenga, Mwenda and Mwirigi) .Read More

GIS Day| 19th November 2014|Discovering the World through GIS

On November 19 we Kenyatta Fratenity join in the worldwide celebration of GIS Day, the annual salute to geospatial technology and its power to transform and better our lives. Be a part of the festivities by hosting, supporting, or attending a GIS Day event.

>> Click to read more and Register

Esri Eastern Africa Education User Conference|20-21 November, 2014|University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

GIS in Education is increasingly playing a fundamental role in understanding, shaping and modeling our world. Through teaching, research and administrative applications within the education sphere, understanding of the impact of spatial relations opens the door to real life applications of GIS.
Through the Esri Eastern Africa Education User Conference, the education community brings together its robust enthusiasm to share, connect and learn new ways of applying GIS in their different areas of applications.
This year’s theme of ‘GIS for Everyone’ recognizes that the breadth and depth in application of GIS within the education community has grown and expanded over the years. GIS is now used to teach telecommunications, logistics, public administration, project monitoring and evaluation, ICT, business and other emerging domains.
The objectives of this year’s conference

Discuss the enterprise view of GIS for the university in teaching, research and administration
Recognize and showcase the communities’ GIS success stories
Showcase the latest functionality on the ArcGIS platform and related geospatial technologies

>> Click to read more and Register

Esri Eastern Africa User Conference|20-21 November, 2014|University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

For close to a decade, the Esri Eastern Africa User Conference has bought together users across Eastern Africa to learn about the latest geo-spatial technologies, share their experiences, connect and network with industry peers and Esri EA staff.

First held in Nairobi in 2006, Kampala, Addis Ababa, Zanzibar, Naivasha and Jinja have played host to this unique conference. This year, the coastal town of Mombasa will be the home of the Esri Eastern Africa User Conference.

This location has inspired the 2014 conference theme “Seaside Servings of GeoTechnology” and forms a befitting location for Esri software users from across Eastern Africa and beyond to converge and engage.

>> Click to read more and Register

REPORT ON THE INTRODUCTORY TRAINING ON GIS AND REMOTE SENSING 4th to 13th Jan 2017 GIS LAB, EF 03, KENYATTA UNIVERSITY

The Department of Environmental Education whose curriculum lack a GIS and remote sensing component requested for practical training on GIS and Remote Sensing for the 4th year students. The eight-day training started on 4th January and ended on 13th January 2016. The primary objective of the training was to provide a practical approach on the principles and concepts of GIS and Remote Sensing. The other objective of the training was to demonstrate how GIS and Remote Sensing can be applied in natural resource management, environmental advocacy and sustainable development. The students were introduced to the components and systems of a GIS and the role of Environmental Management Information Systems in resource planning and management. The nature of the training was computer-based interaction hence it entailed a step by step guided approach. The students were given an introductory training on GIS using Esri’s ArcGIS for Desktop 10.4.

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EED Students using Collector Application on their cell-phones to map field data during one of the sessions

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Plate1: Ben Mwangi giving a step by step guidance to a student on picking a suitable projection system for a map

The first part of the course focused on GIS, where the structure and format of GIS data, data input and transformation, database compilation, and the use of search criteria and data querying procedures and spatial modeling to carry out suitability mapping were examined. In Remote Sensing, emphasis was placed on processing of satellite images and how data from various satellite platforms are used in natural resource management. Read More..

12TH ARCGIS TRAINING REPORT

ARCGIS TRAINING AT 8-4-4 EF3 GIS COMPUTER LAB: 6TH -10TH OCTOBER 2014:USING ARCGIS - APPLICATIONS:

The training programme from 6th – 10th Oct. 2014 was the fourth and final advanced training to be offered to participants, who had undergone basic introduction training. It marked the end of the scheduled trainings which were approved by the VC and that ran from June - October. The structure of a GIS Platform and the data model in a GIS were explained as consisting of Point, Line, Polygon and Image data features. The role and the structure of the Geodatabase was also explained and used to develop personal Geodatabase. The participant were trained on the use of the GPS receiver as one of the devices to capture Geographic data

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Using GPS to capture geographic features (data) and recording attribute information of the points

After the field data collection participants prepared a map showing various features within the central part of KU. All map elements that make a complete map were inserted with each participant working on their own map. The resulting maps were exported to Tiff format after appending personal names to the maps. One of such product is shown.Read More....

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Map of the central part of KU showing plots of collected points

11TH ARCGIS TRAINING REPORT ARCGIS TRAINING AT 844 EF3 GIS COMPUTER LAB: 22ND -26TH SEPTEMBER 2014 :USING ARCGIS - APPLICATIONS

The ArcGIS Application Training on 22nd – 26th September 2014 was the third advance GIS training to be offered to KU Staff, who had undergone basic introduction training in previous sessions. The Training attracted 15 participants. This was partially due to the fact that the semester session was on and most members of staff were busy with their lecture class preparations. The training took place at the 844 EF3 GIS Computer Lab. Nad the filed mapping was done at the KU Lower Zone

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Participants adjusting GPS receivers outside 844 Building, at the car park area

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Extracting Staff Housing Units at the lower Zone of Kenyatta University as polygon features

After Importing and plotting the GPS points, the training group used a georeferenced KU Image Data to digitize features such as the roads and buildings thus equipping them with map preparation ability.Read More

PHASE 1_7th SESSION REPORT ARCGIS TRAINING:

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY COMPUTER LAB: 10TH - 12TH SEPT., 2014

The 7th GIS training introducing the KU students to the concepts of GIS and to ArcCatalog and ArcGIS Tools was conducted from 10th Sept 20th Sept 2014. In the Engineering Computer lab of 52 computers, 47 students out of the 52 invited participants turned up for the training. No explanation was given for the 5 students who did not turn up but the period fell within the first week of the beginning of Semester 1 of 2014/2015 academic year when the regular students are just reporting back from vacation. The good turn-up indicated the desire by the students for Geospatial Knowledge. The School of Engineering and Technology Computer lab has ArcGIS installed in all the 52 computers and is functional as a GIS lab although in the absence of electric power from the normal power grid, it is difficult to run a training there as the building is not provide with Electric power pack-up.

Student participants following the GIS training at School of Engineering and & Technology Computer Lab

Read More about the training

PHASE 1_6th SESSION REPORT ARCGIS TRAINING:

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY COMPUTER LAB: 3RD - 5TH SEPT, 2014

The training from 3rd – 5th September targeted members of staff from the School of Engineering and Technology. Because of the demand by student who had missed out from the previous trainings because of demand some were accommodated in the training. The Engineering lab is equipped with GIS tools and all the 52 computers are installed with ArcGIS. A total of 25 participants turned up for this training.

Participants following the training at School of Engineering and Technology Computer Lab

Read More about the training

PHASE 2_3RD SESSION REPORT KU GIS LABS:ARCGIS TRAINING: USING ARCGIS (APPLICATIONS)

18TH - 22ND AUGUST 2014 SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING COMPUTER LAB

The five day training workshop on Using ArcGIS and specifically targeting its application was organized at the School of Engineering and Technology Computer lab. This training followed the three day training of introduction to GIS (ArcCatalog and ArcGIS Tools) that had been offered to the same group earlier on. The participants were introduced to further GIS Concepts and shown that although we think of GIS as a single integrated system of hardware and software, it is typically made up of a variety of 5 different components: The people, Geographic data, the software, the hardware and the data management platforms (Servers and Databases).

Classified image showing Muthaiga Golf Course-Pangani/Mathare Valley area

The steps of creating a Geodatabase were explained to make sure that participants understood the need for best practice when developing a GIS system. The Participants then created a Personal Geodatabase. Different empty feature classes were then created and used to populate the Geodatabase. Participants shown how to populate the feature classes with features of specified themes. And how to populate the Geodatabase with data from other sources. ENVI as a tool for remote Sensing and GIS and how it is interfaced in ArcGIS were also explained.

Read More about the training

PHASE 2_2nd SESSION REPORT KU GIS LABS:ARCGIS TRAINING: USING ARCGIS (APPLICATIONS)

21ST JULY -25TH JULY 2014: SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING COMPUTER LAB

From 21st – 25th July 2014 the second advance training on ArcGIS Applications was offered to the first group of students who had undergone the basic introduction training between 18th - 20th June, 2014. There was a high return turn up of 25 participants out of the 29 that had initially trained. Pre-evaluation forms were given to the participant to fill. The pre-evaluation was aimed at assessing if the participants attended the basic training course and if they followed up with practice on the ESRI ArcGIS Tools that they had been taught and if they attempted to access any other ArcGIS Tools. With regard to other ArcGIS Tools, a majority of participants reported to not having used any other software (44%), while a few used ArcInfo and ArcEditor and Arccview.

Other Softwares used after phase I of the training

Engineering Building where the GIS Computer Lab is located

In addition 15 participants used the ArcGIS extension while practicing which was impressive compared to staff The Basic introductions were summarized to bring them up to speed with what they did.

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PHASE 1_5th SESSION ARCGIS TRAINING AT KU GIS LABS:INTRODUCTION TO GIS: EXPLORING ARCCATALOG AND ARCGIS TOOLS 5th SESSION REPORT: 30TH JULY - 1ST AUGUST, 2014 ICT:SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES COMPUTER LAB

The training started on the 30th July to 1st August 2014 as a special request from the ICT Staff. Registered ICT staff members who turned for the training formed the target group with all 100% of the turnout being from ICT. The 15 ICT staff who turned up for the training were introduced to the objectives of the training.

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Read More about the training

PHASE 1_4th SESSION ARCGIS TRAINING AT KU GIS LABS:INTRODUCTION TO GIS: EXPLORING ARCCATALOG AND ARCGIS TOOLS4th SESSION REPORT: 30TH JUNE - 2ND JULY:SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES COMPUTER LAB (EF3).

The training was conducted from 30th June to 2nd July 2014 (Monday to Wednesday) after rescheduling the training from 2 - 4th July due to a graduation ceremony at the University. The group of 30 student was a spill-over from the week before. The participants were 100% students from 8 departments in the University.

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PHASE 1_3rd SESSION ARCGIS TRAINING AT KU GIS LABS:INTRODUCTION TO GIS: EXPLORING ARCCATALOG AND ARCGIS TOOLS :3rd SESSION REPORT: 25TH-27TH JUNE 2014 SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES COMPUTER LAB

The 3rd Session involved participation of the second group of KU Staff members. Although the majority of staff came from the Department of Environmental Planning and Management, there was representation of staff from 11 other departments providing an opportunity to explore the relevance of GIS to many subject areas. This also gave the opportunity to the training team in conjunction with ICT to expand the access to the ESRI ArcGIS License on Campus so that trained participants can practice what they have learned. The the computer labs wer identified and equipped with ArcGIS as follows:

1. Environmental Studies Computer Labs (Training)

2. Engineering and Technology Computer Lab (Training)
3. Geography Computer Lab (Training)
4. Computer & Information Technology Lab (Training)
5. KU Business and Students Service Centre (KU-BSSC) Computer Lab (Practice)
6. Post Modern Library Research Computer lab (practice)
7. KU Students Computer Centre lab (practice)
The other access points will be established as demanded by the individual Schools especially for postgraduate use.

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Diversity of KU staff participants in the GIS Training

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KU Staff following the training in Session 3

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PHASE 1_2nd SESSION REPORT ARCGIS TRAINING AT KU GIS LABS:INTRODUCTION TO GIS: EXPLORING ARCCATALOG AND ARCGIS TOOLS 2nd SESSION REPORT: 18th - 20th JUNE 2014SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES COMPUTER LAB (EF3):

The 2nd Session of introduction to ArcGIS attracted 68 student participants which far exceeded the capacity of the training lab of 30 computers. This necessitated the admission of the students on first come first served basis according to the date of submission of application. The training started on the 18th to 20th of June 2014 and on time as scheduled. Registered student had superceded the number that could be handled in one session. This necessitated the confiners to use the application list to accommodate 30 students out of the 68 listed on the first come first served basis. Student who had come but could not be accommodated were requested to join the immediate next class in the following week on 30th to 2nd July 2014 at Geography Lab on. This was to avoid the second part of the week as 4th July was a graduation day.

section of students