 |
 |
>> History >> Initial objectives >> General objectives >> Specific priorities >> Regional Outreach Centre |
|
HISTORY |
| |
| In 1999, a convention was signed between the National University of Rwanda (NUR) and Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (DFGFI) for the creation of a Geographic (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) Research unit enhance regional capacity in conservation science and related technologies through the Faculty of Science and Technology of NUR |
| |
|
|
INITIAL OBJECTIVES |
| |
The initial objectives of this partnership were to:
Develop GIS-based conservation research
Develop a GIS curriculum for instruction by assisting in providing hands on training in the application of GIS tools to current natural use and parks management problems.
GIS training for the national parks service staff and students, faculties at NUR and Kigali Institute of Science, Technology and Management (KIST)
Coordinate activities with Karisoke Research Center and the Albertine Rift Biodiversity Monitoring Project, based in Atlanta.
Links between universities, research institutes, governments and non-government organizations.
Establish format links with other regional centers for GIS technology (e.g., Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation and Makerere University in Uganda).
Provide research facility for DFGFI and its partner's institutions. |
| |
 |
| |
| In 2001, and in relation with the importance and multiple applications of GIS and RS tools and methods, NUR decided to create a permanent and inter-faculty structure under the Vice-Rectorat for Academic Affairs, the Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing Research and Training Center, CGIS-NUR |
|
GENERAL OBJECTIVE |
| |
The CGIS-NUR is an inter-faculty unit aimed at developing a Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing curriculum for instruction and assisting national institutions by providing training in the application of GIS tools to current problems in Rwanda. The most important mission of the CGIS is to provide capacity building at NUR so that graduates of the program will be able to apply this new technology in the planning ana management of Rwanda's resources.
|
|
SPECIFIC PRIORITIES |
| |
More specifically, the mission of the CGIS comprises the following elements:
Developing a GIS & RS curriculum for instruction, to support the NUR mission to become a university of excellence based on solid IT supported education to prepare tomorrow trainers but also prepare students to a better professional insertion.
Assisting governmental and non-governmental institutions by providing training in the application of GIS & RS tools, and thus establish formal links with other national, regional and international institutions for GIS technology
Assisting in GIS-based conservation research in conjunction with our partner, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International,
Developing research in various topics of national interest, to improve the quality of services rendered to the community by use of ICT and support NUR mission to provide integrated and coordinated community-orientated services that impact positively on sustainable socio-economic development in Rwanda.
Collect, create, organize and centralize regional geographic and other database available at the national and regional level to allow interested institutions and decision-makers to access easily to update information critical in the decision-making processes. This objective to create a “Central Clearinghouse “ will allow the center to establish and serve the links between universities, research institutes, government and non-government organizations, overseas data sharing, and coordinate activities.
Serving as a mapping unit to respond to the needs of the community.
|
|
REGIONAL OUTREACH CENTRE |
| |
| The CGIS-NUR aims to develop its capability to serve as a regional outreach center in the fields of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing. Thus, in many sectors, this will encourage the use of applied research for environment and sustainable development to address the issue of poverty reduction. |
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
