African Capacity Building in Satellite Altimetry with the UNESCO-BILKO Programme

Abstract

Capacity building in remote sensing is an important component of the first 5-year plan of GOOS-Africa. Training future scientists and environmental managers in the use of satellite data is part of this strategy. The Bilko software is well suited for the African capacity building effort. It is specially written for education use, demands only moderate computer resources, is free to registered users and comes supported by images and lessons suitable for users working alone or in groups without direct access to remote sensing expertise. In 2004 the first Bilko lessons in satellite altimetry were tested during a workshop in Kenya, where participants gained hands-on experience in the application of altimetry to marine and coastal management. Three lessons were developed for the workshop, on sea-level change, on seasonal variability in eddy activity, and on significant wave height. The workshop was the first in a series. Other African initiatives are under development.