Regional Online Training on Geographic Information

System (GIS) for Hydrological Applications

(Based on QGIS - A Free and Open Source Geographic Information System)

Introduction:
To strengthen the open science movement, UNESCO is joining hands with other partners in
creating open sources for scientific research. On this series, the first initiative will be to bring
the powerful open Geographical Information System and its application to hydrological
practices in Africa. The main benefit and purpose of the online training is to increase impact
by offering cost-effective training to more people on modern sciences through assignments
and evaluation of participants. This way, the working scientists do not need to travel. They can
be trained at their own pace from their place of work.

QGIS: QGIS is a free and open-source cross-platform desktop geographic information system
(GIS) application that supports viewing, editing, and analysis of geospatial data. QGIS functions
as geographic information system (GIS) software, allowing users to analyse and edit spatial
information, in addition to composing and exporting graphical maps. QGIS supports both
raster and vector layers; vector data is stored as either point, line, or polygon features. Multiple
formats of raster images are supported, and the software can georeference images. QGIS
integrates with other open-source GIS packages, including PostGIS, GRASS GIS, and
MapServer. Plugins written in Python or C++ extend QGIS's capabilities. Plugins can geocode
using the Google Geocoding API, perform geoprocessing functions similar to those of the
standard tools found in ArcGIS, and interface with PostgreSQL/PostGIS, SpatiaLite and
MySQL databases.

For many studies, hydrological models (surface and groundwater) are used or developed.
During modelling courses, not much attention is paid to the pre-processing of input data and
parameters needed for the models. With the skills learned in this course, you will be able to
find open access GIS data and more efficiently process your data for your hydrological
applications using QGIS and its plugins.

Learning objectives:
On completion of this course, the participants should be able to
 Georeference a scanned map
 Digitize vector layers
 Import tabular data into GIS
 Work with attribute tables
 Interpolate points to raster
 Perform spatial analysis with raster data
 Delineate catchments and streams from digital elevation models
 Add open data to your project
 Calculate the percentage of land cover per sub catchment
 Design maps for hydrological studies
Workload and support:
The course consists of 7 lessons with a total workload of 38 hours in a normal circumstance.
The current course will open for four weeks for registered participants with video lectures on
7 main topics and 24*7 forum support (all questions can be posted in the forum and the course
instructor / moderator will provide answer and solutions at the earliest possible time -both in
English and French).

All the participants need to submit seven (7) assignments one each per topic and course
instructor will evaluate and mark the same. Every participant needs to pass all the seven (7)
assignments to pass the course. For every assignment, there will be three (3) chances given
to participants.

All lectures, quiz and practical exercises will be available through online mode in the Moodle
LMS. All the questions and clarifications will be answered through the forum where each
participant will be given ID and password. The online modules are available in English and
French and participants can express themselves in both languages. In addition to the video
lectures available online, two live online lectures will be organised virtually during the start and
towards the end both in English and French.

Assignments and Certificate:

Participants who successfully complete the course will receive the official QGIS certificate.
The certificate contributes 20 euros to the open source development of QGIS and is included
in the course fee. UNESCO will pay for registered participants.

Topics:
Each topic starts with video lectures presenting the theory and a summative assessment (quiz).
Then practical exercises will be done. Each topic ends with an assignment (submission of
maps and/or discussion text).

Topic 1: Preparing data from hardcopy maps

In order to use hardcopy maps in GIS, they need to be scanned and georeferenced.
Georeferencing is also needed for raw remote sensing images. We will cover the use of
projections, how to georeference and how to digitize vectors (points, lines and polygons) in
GIS.
 Introduction
 Lecture on vector data
 Lecture on projections
 Quiz
 Practical exercises
 Assignment

Topic 2: Importing tabular data into QGIS

Often, we get data for our models in tabular format, for example spreadsheets or CSV files.
Sometimes the data comes in two tables – one with the coordinates and the other with the
attributes you need. This lesson covers importing of tabular data, joining and editing attributes
and spatial interpolation from points to rasters using different methods.
 Lecture on raster data
 Lecture on GIS file formats
 Quiz
 Practical exercises
 Assignment
Topic 3: Spatial analysis with map algebra
With map algebra we can do calculations with raster layers. This is useful for spatial analysis.
For example, when we need to evaluate different criteria to find suitable or unsuitable locations.
In this lesson we will identify unsuitable wells based on three conditions related to accessibility,
land use and depth of the wells.
 Lecture on map algebra
 Quiz
 Practical exercises
 Assignment

Topic 4: Stream and catchment delineation

One of the most important uses of GIS in hydrology is the delineation of catchments and
streams. This lesson presents the generic workflow for stream and catchment delineation for
areas where only open data is available.
 Lecture on digital elevation models
 Lecture on stream and catchment delineation
 Quiz
 Practical exercises
 Assignment

Topic 5: Adding open data to your catchment

In this lesson we will add open data from web map services and OpenStreetMap to our GIS
project. Finally, we’ll compose a map that is useful for hydrological analysis.
 Webinar on open data
 Quiz
 Practical exercises
 Assignment

Topic 6: Calculate the percentage of land cover per sub catchment

This lesson covers vector processing such as intersect, dissolve and clip.
 Lecture on vector processing
 Quiz
 Practical exercises
 Assignment

Topic 7: Map design

In the final lesson you learn how to create a catchment map for printing.
 Lecture on map design
 Quiz
 Practical exercises
 Assignment map design

Target group
The course is designed for professionals (engineers, scientists and other technically oriented
people) active in the water/environmental sector, especially those involved in planning and
management of water systems as well as modelling. Pre-requisites are a basic knowledge of
computing and water related topics. A good internet connection is necessary to follow the
course.
Every UNESCO National Commission and IHP National Committees is invited to nominate 2
candidates who are qualified and available for the three weeks to complete the course and
assignments to earn the QGIS Certification. Out of the two nominated candidates, one
should be female. UNESCO might consider a third female candidate if also nominated. In
addition, the REC from Eastern Africa as well as from the River Basin Organisations are also
invited to nominate two candidates each. The total participants are expected to be 50 experts
from East / Central Africa. All the nominated participants should have access to a Laptop or
PC with at least 8 GB RAM and Windows 10 operating system. Preferably the QGIS software
could be installed in organisation computer so that it could be useful for the participants and
Ministries to use the mapping after the training.

Required resources (Software and hardware)

 Hardware: Laptop or PC with at least 8GB RAM, mouse, internet connection
 Software: QGIS 3.10.x (free download at http://www.qgis.org). Instructions will be given
at online course platform
 Operating system: The current course only supports Windows computers
 Access to YouTube for the videos is necessary.

The online course is implemented in the Moodle LMS.

Organisers of this training:

 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
 African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW)
 IHE Delft Institute for Water Education (IHE)

Supporters:
 Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
 Regional Centre on Groundwater Education, Training and Research in Eastern Africa
 Regional Centre for Integrated River Basin Management (RC-IRBM)
 ICTP-East African Institute for Fundamental Research

Duration:
The course will officially open on 5th April 2021 until 30th April for 4 weeks. The opening
ceremony will be on 5th and there will be two lectures each in English / French in the required
date.

Important Dates:

Receipt of Application / nomination form from National Authorities: 5th March 2021
Receipt of User ID and password for the platform: Last week of March 2021
Course duration: 5th April 30th April 2021
Opening Ceremony 5th April and Closing Ceremony 30th April
Two special lectures in English – dates and meeting platform communicated later
Two special lectures in French – dates and meeting platform communicated later
Nomination Form:

The UNESCO National Commission / IHP National Committee shall nominate suitable and
qualified members from Ministries / Universities / Colleges. Out of the two candidates, one
should be female.

The nominating authority will need to make sure that the candidates will submit all 7
assignments and pass with good grades to get certification from QGIS. If the exams are not
cleared, no certification will be provided. For each candidate, UNESCO is paying the fees to
undertake this course and certification. Please type the following in a separate page and send
it back to UNESCO with the candidate’s signature and recommendation from the National
Commission / IHP National Committee

Personal Information

1. Family Name:
2. First Name:
3. Gender:
4. Date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY):
5. Country:

Professional Information:

6. Qualification:
7. Known Computer Languages:
8. Knowledge on GIS
9. Other Certification if any:
10. Main area of research / task:
11. Position:
12. University / College / Institute Name:
13. Official address with email and phone:

I hereby certify that I will complete all seven assignments and clear them within three weeks
during the allocated time in order to qualify for the certificate.

Supported: stamped by National Commission or IHP National Committee

Completed nomination should be submitted to: [email protected]

CC: Ms Annie Claude Nsom Zamo, UNESCO Yaoundé Office [email protected] and
Ms. Anne Lilande, UNESCO Nairobi Office [email protected]