Z_GIS @ Copernicus Polar and Snow Cover Applications User Requirements Workshop

In cooperation with the NEXTSPACE team and a number of different institutions Z_GIS supported the organization of the Copernicus Polar and Snow Cover Applications User Requirements Workshop that was held at the Breydel Building, Brussels. The European Commission (EC) aims at gathering user requirements to be potentially addressed by the Next Generation of the Copernicus Space Component.

Sebastian d’Oleire-Oltmanns held a talk on cross cutting needs of both application domains. As a distinct example for snow cover monitoring he presented recent outcomes of his work where he applies UAV-based remote sensing for deriving snow heights in alpine regions.

This application may be regarded as an important example for reducing the distance between field scale and satellite scale as well as providing accurate reference data for modeling applications. All presentations may are available at the workshop homepage: http://www.copernicus.eu/polar-snow-workshop.


Contact: Sebastian d'Oleire-Oltmanns

GeoS4S Workshop in Olomouc, Czech Republic

A week-long international faculty and curriculum development workshop focusing on 'Module Structure and Content Design' for promoting self-guided geospatial education at post-graduate levels was organised at the Department of Geoinformatics, Palacky University, Olomouc from June 19th to 23rd, 2016. The workshop marks a significant milestone for the activities planned within the 'GeoServices-4-Sustainability' (GeoS4S) project co-funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ programme.

workshop participants from all ten partner universities in Asia and Europe 

The project is coordinated by the Interfaculty Department of Geoinformatics - Z_GIS, University of Salzburg, Austria. The consortium includes 9 more partner universities from Europe (3), China (3) and Thailand (3).

One major objective of the 'GeoS4S' project is to develop teaching/learning resources for 20 case study based innovative educational modules, with each partner institution responsible for developing two modules. The attractiveness of these teaching/learning resources lies in the fact that these will support students' self-guided learning process through lessons, self-assessed exercises and instructor evaluated  assignments.

All the partners had prepared 3-5 draft lessons of their respective modules according to the agreed structure and syllabi. These were presented in the workshop for critical evaluation and constructive discussion for further improvements. The attendees participated in intensive training on designing dual purpose content of lessons facilitating face-to-face classroom interaction as well as supporting self-guided distance learning processes.

The workshop concluded with enhanced motivation for all enthusiastic participants, who expressed their appreciation about the project activities providing opportunities for expanding their academic contributions beyond their classrooms!

Z_GIS' Annual Report Brochure 2015

"Looking into the Past to Unlock the Future" is the suggestion how to explore this content-rich brochure detailing our achievements in research, education and communication.

Taking stock of the past is important for assessing what will work in the future, where we want to direct our initiatives and what priorities will be set for the current and future years.

Special thanks go to all contributors, and this essentially is every one at our department: for succeeding with what is reported, and for compiling the extensive information made easily accessible in this well designed brochure.

Take some time to browse, and to read what meets your interests! >>> Open Brochure

'Higher' Education in the Landscape Lab

In the week from June 20-24 Dr. Szabolcs Czigány from the University of Pecs, Hungary shared his hydro-pedological experiences at elevated points in the Z_GIS landscape lab @ Koppl (Salzburg) with students.

His Erasmus+ stay was used to experience and discuss details on hydrological modelling and environmental measurements in the Landscape Lab and to equip the Nockstein weather station (1032 m) with a 36 kg battery.

 Back to the valley bottom at Plainfelderbach, discharge comparisons were done and discussed with the Ott flow meter handheld and the Sontek IQ plus device. For more information, please contact Dr. Hermann Klug.

Z_GIS at Kyrgyzstan Conference on 'Urban Development and Public Participation'

Sabine Hennig (Z_GIS) participated in this year´s DAAD Alumni Kyrgyzstan Conference on 'Urban Development and Public Participation' in Tash-Tyube (Kyrgyzstan), delivering a talk on 'GI and public participation' and engaging in workshop discussions on public participation regarding the development of blue and adjacent green areas (Ala Archa River, Chuy River and Alamedin River) in the Kyrgyz Capital Bishkek.