On 25th November 2024, the Initiative for Climate Change and Health of icddr,b held Eyes on Earth: Earth Observation Workshop and Competition under its NASA Lifelines Wayfinder project. icddr,b is one of the Wayfinders of the NASA Lifelines 2024 cohort (https://nasalifelines.org/). icddr,b collaborated with Save the Children in Bangladesh and the Department of Environment and Development Studies of the United International University (UIU) to organize the Earth Observation Workshop. Students from United International University (UIU), University of Dhaka (DU), Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET), Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), Jahangirnagar University (JU), and Independent University, Bangladesh have participated in the day-long workshop, held at the United International University campus. Through the workshop, participants gained hands-on experience with Earth Observation technology, remote sensing, and geospatial analysis.
The workshop started with the welcome speech from Mahin Al Nahian, Research Investigator and PI of the NASA Lifelines Wayfinders project at icddr,b. Mr. Nahian emphasized the importance of remote sensing technology and the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in public health research, saying that, “icddr,b is one of the very few organizations from the Global South that started working on climate change and health research since the early twenties. Through its commitment to integrating cutting-edge technologies into public health research, the NASA Lifelines project is another step towards achieving scientific excellence and addressing pressing global challenges by leveraging Earth Observation data to improve resilience in vulnerable communities.” Rhiannan Price, the Program lead of the NASA Lifelines in her pre-recorded speech congratulated the participants for attending the workshop. Md. Mostak Hussain, Director Humanitarian program, Save the Children in Bangladesh shared his valuable speech as the guest speaker at the welcome session. Dr. M. Rezwan Khan, Professor Emeritus of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) and Director, of the Institute for Advanced Research (IAR) of UIU, encouraged the participants during his speech as Chair of the welcome session.
Following the welcome session, Mr. Nahian introduced the NASA Lifelines Wayfinder Project, and Javed Meandad, Manager - Anticipatory Action, Save the Children in Bangladesh introduced the application of Earth Observation Technology in humanitarian contexts. Mr. Sujit Roy from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) took a technical session on the fundamentals of remote sensing, geospatial analysis, and satellite data. Atik Ahsan, Senior Programme Manager at the Environmental WASH unit of icddr,b gave an overview of the utilization of satellite remote sensing for flash flood forecasting. Dr. Sharif Ahmed Mukul, Associate Professor, Department of Environment & Development Studies, United International University (UIU) briefly shared his insights on the application of earth science in disaster response and management and Tasauf A. Baki Billah introduced participants to the OpenStreetMap and Open Geospatial Data Sources. At the second half, Mr. Mithun Dutta conducted a hands-on training on Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring with TROPOMI satellite data. Following the technical sessions, the organizers introduced participants to the competition challenges, the application process, and the award details. In the closing ceremony, Dr. Shantanu Kumar Saha, Associate Professor & Head of the Department of Environment & Development Studies, at United International University (UIU) summarized the key learnings of the day. Prof. Dr. Md. Abul Kashem Mia, hon’ble Vice Chancellor, United International University (UIU), and the Chief Guest of the Workshop attended the certificate-giving ceremony. Prof. Abul Kashem Mia thanked the organizing committee and congratulated the students for successfully completing the workshop. In his closing remarks, Prof. Abul Kashem Mia said, “United International University (UIU) is thriving to be the center of excellence in teaching, learning, and research in the South Asian region and has always encouraged students to excel in creativity and scientific innovation.” Prof. Mia thanked NASA Lifelines, Save the Children in Bangladesh, and icddr,b for organizing the Earth Observation Workshop at the United International University and wished the workshop participants a successful career ahead.
Photographs From the Workshop
