Call for Participation in Summer School

“Geospatial Foundations for the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS)”

September 15-21, 2024

 Hotel Continental: Vora, Albania

Join us for an engaging Summer School on the geospatial foundations of an Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS)! The program offers a unique opportunity to delve into the pitfalls and technicalities of IACS, with particular emphasis on the Land Parcel Information System (LPIS) and Geospatial Aid Application (GSAA). We will feature expert-led workshops, field data collection, and hands-on PC training under the close supervision of experts. The summer school aims to expand the participants’ skills in geospatial components of IACS, improve knowledge in geodata management, and help strengthen the network of professionals and peers.

This summer school is organised by the Agricultural University of Tirana (AUT) and the Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO) within the project Establishing a Geoinformation Centre for the Western Balkans (GEO-WB6, geo-wb6.net), funded by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL). The project aims to improve the EU accession process regarding negotiating Chapter 11 (Agriculture and Rural Development). Specifically, the project aims to strengthen technical capacities to manage and analyse geodata in agriculture and natural resource management and to strengthen the regional network of geoinformation experts in the Western Balkans.

Logistics:

• Duration: September 15, 6 pm, until September 21, 10 am (full participation expected)
• Location: Hotel Continental, Vora, Albania
• Eligibility: The course is open to postgraduate students, lecturers, researchers, and professionals in agriculture and related fields who study or work in one of the six West Balkan countries and have a professional interest in GIS and spatial data analysis. Participants must be fluent in English and bring their laptops. Previous experience in GIS and IACS is an asset but not required.

Course Contents:

• Introduction to IACS in the EU and the state of IACS development in the Western Balkan
• Presentation and discussion of LPIS and GSAA
• Group work on parcel and crop type mapping in the field
• Use of open-source remote sensing data and geotagged photography for verification

What we offer:

• Practical field work using open-source data and software sources
• Facilitation by international lecturers and researchers
• Interaction with a diverse group of practitioners and scholars from the region
• A course certificate issued by AUT and IAMO
• Full coverage of accommodation and food
• Travel scholarships of €100 for course participants from institutions located outside Albania

How to register:

Please send your CV and a motivation letter of up to one page stating why you would like to attend this course to info@geo-wb6.net. The application deadline is September 2, 2024. Applicants will be notified of acceptance by September 4, 2024.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse learning environment. We strongly encourage women and individuals with disabilities to apply. For further questions, please write an e-mail to info@geo-wb6.net.