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“There is less awareness about Geoinformatics”

Jan 2013 | No Comment

Says Dr S K Singh, Director, Training Division, Centre for Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific(CIRDAP), Dhaka, Bangladesh

What are your initiatives regarding the introduction of Geoinformatics technology?

We are organizing exclusive training programme for our member countries on Geoinformatics at least one every year. Usually, we have collaborative partner from India, the National Institute of Rural development. This programme is highly rated and there is demand for it. Moreover, we keep one slot on Geoinforation in other training programme, if relevant to theme. It is also well received. CIRDAP is expecting computer lab funded by Government of India, Ministry of Rural Development. It will be ready by Feb 2013. Once it is in position, we will have more programmes on this topic.

What are the main factors you keep in mind while conceptualizing a training programme?

We conduct Training need assessment among member countries to ascertain their training requirements. Moreover, we also look into topical issues and theme while formulating training requirement. Cirdap has a Technical Committee comprising heads of all Link Institutes every year. Training needs are also discussed in the meeting. Of course, there is divergent opinion on themes, but Geoinformatics always find place in the requirements. Cutting across divergent training needs, these topics get paramount importance. For nomination to our programme, we ask our contact ministries from member countries to nominate relevant officers from senior/middle level. It is true, we get heterogeneous group with various level of understanding, however, technically they are normally abreast with, except language proficiency.

Centre for Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) is an Intergovernmental organisation mandated to facilitate the provision of services that will infl uence policy formulation and programme action towards rural development and poverty alleviation through a network of CIRDAP contact ministries and link institutions.The objectives of the Centre are:
• To assist national action and promote regional co-operation relating to Integrated Rural Development (IRD), in the region
• To act as a servicing institution for its member states
• To encourage joint collective activities to benefit the member countries both individually and collectively
• To poverty alleviation through people’s participation in the development process.

How do you cope up with the fast pace of evolving technology?

We are in touch with all important actors who are developing various new packages and try to take it and use it.

Do you feel that there is a poor awareness and sensitisation among field functionaries and decision makers on Geoinformatics?

Undoubtedly, there is less awareness about Geoinformatics and its utility among practitioners and decision makers. This is a good tool and plays enabling role in planning process. Therefore, it essentially calls for sensitising them. Such effort will give good result.

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