GIS BOOT CAMP HELD ON 10TH JANURY 2015 AT DEDAN KIMATHI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

As you all know, GIS (Geospatial Information Science)  is an art and science commonly applied in our today lives.We need GIS in almost of our daily activities. In order for this to happen it should be practiced and researched on often. We as the Dedan Kimathi University students usually come together and discuss issues concerning GIS in our today's lives and share knowledge.

During the lastly held GIS BOOT CAMP organized by the GDEV Committee members with support from the department , Institute of Geomatics, GIS and Remote Sensing (IGGReS)  , we had to share more as the students and more so learn much about emerging issues in the field of GIS.

Various issues where brought at hand and discussed on.The audience got enough time to learn and appreciate more about GIS.

Various topics were covered during the boot camp where the audience got to learn more of what is in the field of GIS.Much thanks and appreciation goes to the Fourth years for bringing on the know-how of GIS to most of the audience.

These include: 

1. Introduction to Open Source GIS Platforms (Data integration between Desktop GIS and Web GIS)

2. Health break and Social communications

3. Database Systems and Web GIS

4. Health break and Social communications

5. Mobile GIS and Social developments

It was such a knowledge sharing event and special thanks to all those involved.

Here are some of the pictures from the event.

Find us on twitter @IGGRES_DKUT

Photo Session after the Bootcamp

Social communications session

Capturing good moments

The Boot camp organizers

Web Mapping Evolution

For years, web mapping has been slowly developing to serve the modern day internet users and offer various functionality to map users online.Web mapping is helping millions of internet users to share and interact with fellow users online despite their spatial location.Efforts to share map data online have been futile for the last few years due to lack of well streamlined platforms to assist general users access mapping functionality easily and conveniently while maintaining the efficiency of operations.With the current technologies such as the FOSS sector and other proprietary platforms,map sharing and interactivity online has been a reality.Imagine creating a web application in ten minutes and publishing your information at a go?Awesome.Mangomap has created this platform to rescue users/students who were drowned in the world of web mapping.Creating a web map in five minutes is their target.
While exploring the internet , I came across this stunning site allowing me to create a web map in five minutes.I just created this NyeriInfo application.Am sure this will go a mile in helping students and researcehrs in need of  sharing their work online.

NyeriInfo web app

Mau Mau story map

Great innovations have been developed with the current growth in GIS technology.During the Mau Mau conference held at the DKUT grounds(18th-21st 2014),a story map was showcased,that has all the information about the Mau
 Mau and occurrences of events in various places during the times of Kenya's fight for independence.

A photo of Mau Mau Hero

The story map incorporates both pictorial and written representations of the Mau Mau timeline.The map will go further in helping students and other interested parties access information all in one place and save them the time spent in researching for the information.For more information visit Mau Mau Story map

DIGITAL MAPPING OF NAIROBI ROUTES FOR MATATUS

The emergence of a digital mapping project for the transport industry brought about by the collaboration of University of Nairobi, Columbia University’s Center for Sustainable Urban Development , MIT’s Civic Data Design Lab , and Groupshot. This research is maent to ease the transport mess(if i may call it) around the city and county as a whole. To the GIS enthusiasts I think that thus can also be implemented to other counties. Here is a link to read more about it visit HERE

HELB for University students

HELB,a word well known by almost every university student.A loan to help students through their education period.What are the priorities you give as student after receiving the loan?Its you choice.Maybe new phone,pants,parties,rent,transport or any other.Its all the decision of the loaner.The loans status is relative as little money or appropriate is the loaner's opinion.I have never heard anyone say that its much in campus.How is the helb loan?little,appropriate?

 Egerton University had a talk on the ways one can utilize their loan for a better education period and better upkeep.Students were urged to use the money well in their education and upkeep and not by buying beer or on drugs,women etc.As this was being told,the students burst into laughter,MEANING?I don't know.huh is it funny telling a student about alcohol?Tell me

NOTE:In all what you do remember there is a consequence.




Don't use you money hivi hivi.Kaa rada msee.

INTERNAL ATTACHMENT FOR THE SECOND YEARS

The attachment period for the Second years started at a slow pace which was unexpected to most of the students....Although the department was understaffed(for lack of a better word) maybe most of them still nursing the January blues, so to speak. With most students still shocked with the introduction of new software being used for the attachment period like Erdas Imagine 9.2 and also Quantum GIS.  The students also seemed to be in a rush to get the software and install them on their newly acquired laptops as there has a notable increase in the number of laptops in the class, that aside the lecturer who is new to the students, Mr Masden started on a low note not in a hurry to rush knowledge into our heads but the students appreciated him as per the comments I got around. The task also that is at hand is being taken seriously by the students although the class is half full, but most students anticipate the field work sessions because they have been praised by the third year students who are now busy at various organizations undertaking their external attachment.

GDev Kenya-An innovation group by the students

         Three years after commencing the GIS course in Dedan Kimathi University of Technology,a group of students have gone Hi-Tech and developed an innovation group that is GIS-Developing oriented.The group has show some great progress in their innovations having participated in many events in the school.The group goes by the name GDev for GIS Developers.GIS is a key field in the modern day life and education world.With advances in GIS,GDev has a great and comprehensive plan on how to better the GIS sector in the society.

         The group creates a good platform for the members to share and develop their skills in GIS by participating in events e.g National shows,organizing events within the university,participating in various projects etc.This platform equips the students with ample/adequate information and skills preparing one to be competitive in the market for future benefits.This will go along helping interested parties in many ways.Visit GDev Kenya on Google+ for more details.

Sample exercises conducted by the Group-Routing

Steve and Sam during the ASK Nyeri Show

Presentations to the Governor Nyeri County,Nderitu Gachagua

GIS Day-Dedan Kimathi University of Technology

Geospatial Information Science is one of the fastest growing field and being well appreciated by the industries to automate their tasks by using spatial data to solve problems,predicting the future of the organisations etc.GIS is being integrated in almost every other field due to its power in analysis and helping in concrete decision making for both people and organizations.

This event is the first to be held in DKUT and thus provides a good chance for students,people in corporate world and other interested parties to appreciate the use of GIS in the modern world and evaluate its capability to solve various issues affecting them.
The event will be held on November 8,2013 in the DKUT grounds and its expected to be a really great day of interactive sessions,presentations and talks for the attending persons.Every interested persons are welcome for the event on this day.For more details about the event visit HERE

Typhoon Usagi hits China

This is the worst typhoon ever encountered in China as it produced winds of  165 km/h to 180km/h in some areas.It swept the land leaving toppling trees as it blew the vehicles of the roads.The typhoon left many areas flooded causing the victims to drown in the waters.The storms left  3.5 million people affected,destroyed businesses leading to economic destabilization($526m losses).
 Satellite imagery provided information about the typhoon and various agencies were able to analyze the disaster.

NASA's analysis of the Typhoon Usagi-TRMM

satellite image taken by the Japan Meteorological Agency's MTSAT-2 satellite and provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

 For more info visit HERE

ASK Kabiruini Show 2013

The show took four days of great experience and interaction with other students, professionals and the industries. The institute of Geomatics, GIS and Remote Sensing (IGGReS) had a chance to appear in the campus’s main stand for the first time since the formation of the institute. The institute’s stand was represented by two students and one staff member. The main tasks were to explain more details about the IGGReS, courses offered in IGGReS, Showcase various projects conducted in the institute and offer assistance to any interested parties.

IGGReS Stand

Sam and Steve at the IGGReS stand

The two students(Sam and Steve) represented the Institute and also the GDev group(An innovation group formed by students from the IGGReS)Various ideas were showcased at the stand with the available materials such as the slide presentations and printouts of the satellite imagery and maps made as a result of various projects.

GIS is a field that is widely being appreciated by the world’s population as its able to assist in many ways in a cheaper way and maximize the outputs. The title for our projects was “Using GIS technologies in Agriculture” that rhymed to the show’s theme “Enhancing technology in Agriculture and industry for food security and national growth”. Some of the projects showcased were the mapping project and land suitability analysis both for the campus area(DKUT)Use of GIS technologies was appreciated by many who visited the stand with many wanting to learn about these technologies in details. The visitors of the stand were mainly the people from the corporate world, students and also the general public. The projects expounded more on the use of GIS, Remote Sensing and survey. Great appreciation of the GIS technologies was evident as the number of attending persons to the stand was huge per time.

The comments from the attending persons were encouraging and showed great appreciation.

Deputy President,William Ruto at the IGGReS stand

 Various dignitaries visited the stand and commended its good work. They included the Deputy President, Hon. William Ruto, who appreciated the work done and the projects showcased, The Nyeri county Governor,Hon.Nderitu Gachagua,who was very pleased by the projects from our institute and the Vice-Chancellor DKUT,who applauded the institute’s great work as he went around in the stand to get a glimpse of the projects that we had.

Hon.Nderitu Gachagua at the IGGReS stand

The ASK show was good for us having shown the attendees what GIS and Remote Sensing can accomplish in the current world. The event was successful and was a very good eye opener to the persons wanting to take a step further in the GIS and Remote Sensing field.

End of Semester Departmental meeting

The day started well with preparations for the prayers meeting. The turn-up was great with 90% of the department members present for the meeting. This has been the best prayer meeting ever held in the department. Prayer meetings are always held at the beginning of the semester and at the end of the semester. Praise songs were many and the crowd was very active in participating to sing. Encouragement speeches were also allowed. Encouragements this time were many and this was an indication of how the students are encouraged by the event. Speeches were many with Sam Kuraru (Vice chairperson-DeKUTSO) gracing the event with encouragements, funny speeches and informative notes to the students. It has been a long journey since the beginning of the semester. This involved the many practicals undertaken and series of lectures in the course both for the second and third year students. The unity showcased by the students is commendable and encouraged as we journey together for the course.

                Rather than prayers, issues concerning the department were also addressed. There was a thanking session to recognize the great contribution by some student in the department. Photo shooting period was also available.

fans pose for a photo shoot with the trophy

fans posing for a photo shoot with the trophy

These included Mathew (Sports Captain),Faith(Young Generation Initiative),Sam Kibui (GEGIS & GIS blog),Thomas Kubai(Football coach),Hannah(Christian Union),Sam Kuraru(Vice-Chairperson DeKUTSO),  Ronald Kibet for the moral support just to mention a few.

University Football Tournament

          The University tournament took three months to complete. Each department in the campus was represented by their team in the football tournament. It all started small but kept on growing bigger and bigger with time. The GEGIS department was represented too in the tournament. The players worked hard to outdo the competitors with great support of the department members. Every time our group had a match with another department, the field was filled with great numbers of fans cheering up their squad. Our squad was well composed and ready for the big challenge. This was followed with a series of games and our squad emerging victorious. The tournament was structured in terms of group stages. GEGIS squad was able to beat their rivals in the group stages and proceeded on to the next level.

Fans posing for photos after a match

At quarter finals, the games were a bit tight but we made it through. As its well-known, as the completion ladder rises, competitions get heated up and extra work has to be done in order to succeed. After some time of practice, the squad reached the semifinals. Competition was tight. The teams played well and it all ended into a draw. The only way to separate the tie was through penalties.

Our squad lost at penalty level with an outcome of (3-4) in favor of the opponent. Our squad’s target of winning the big cup was short-lived. As usual the recognized tournament teams are mostly the teams in the first, second and third positions.

GEGIS and GIS Talk

      Two weeks after visiting one of the firms that deals in GIS and its products (Ramani Geo systems), here is another firm that deals more with GIS, software and equipment related to the field. The GIS and GEGIS students had a chance to interact with a team from Oakar services and share more about the well about of the field in the industry. GIS being the key area of specialization for the Oakar Services was extensively explored with different technology being showcased to the students. The students had a chance to have a touch of what is expected of them after completing their undergraduate studies.

      This talk comes as a morale builder to the students to enable them develop firm interests in the field and develop their great ideas that would help solve issues in the world. GIS, a vast field has lot of smaller sections to be studies and they relate to each other well at the end.

GEGIS and GIS Visit(Third year)

Visiting the industries in the field of Geomatics and GIS is one of the facilitating factors for students undertaking the course in any of the universities.Students get to understand more what they learn theoretically and may be practically.Ramani Geosystems was the chosen firm where the students had great experience of what is done outside the campus.The firm offers professional land surveying, aerial photography, aerial LiDAR and GIS and mapping services which are the key areas of study for the Third Year students.
A lot was demonstrated to the students including flight planning,image registration,image enhancement,digitization,triangulation and 3D modelling just to mention a few.Having covered most of these areas in the previous lectures it was a great day of experiencing the tangible part of the course.Geomatic and GIS are two very wide fields of study.They are composed of very many divisions and are mostly related in application.

Shisha

Shisha is among the latest form of youth and

Middle-age group form of clubs-best-narcotics

having gained popularity in the recent past

It is mainly enjoyed in groups from a shared pipe and

Most people have come up with theories that shisha is much better

than cigar. But for me i wouldn’t trade any of the two for the other, they are all equally harmful

Shisha is in no way

beneficial or less harmful to one's health

compared to cigarettes.

 Here's just a few reasons why:

1. Myth: The water is said to act as a filter

and thus the smoke we inhale is supposedly

"clean". Well, that's not true. In fact water

moisture just makes the smoke less irritating

and gives us the impression that the smoke is

cleaner and makes it less irritating.

Coupling in Campus

 A relationship happen between two parties of which mostly its

between man and women. This happens

because everyone needs someone to love

and fall in love with. This feeling is complicated

to be explained by just using words.

The funniest bit of it; it happens naturally and cannot be

forced. However, today,coupling has become

an issue because it is always been related

to social problem.

Actually, coupling is

something that we might not be blamed of

because it is very subjective and we cannot

define it as a problem. It’s a

culture among students in higher education

institutions either government or private

institutions. 

Landsat 8 Launch

       Here is advancement in the GIS world. With the Landsat Mission that has been available for about four decades, Scientists and researchers in the GIS field have benefited from the services available on the Landsat system. This has helped us understand our home “Earth” better by monitoring the changes both in natural and human activities. This has been possible by assisting the people to view the world beyond what the human sight can perceive. The Landsat 8 is much advanced than its predecessors having high precision and modern sensors. Using the Landsat 7 and Landsat 8, more scientific tasks will be achieved as the two can now provide the required data wherever needed. The Landsat mission will document various phenomena such as volcanic eruptions and forest fires.

Control points Marking,Nyeri County

Dedan Kimathi University of Technology was selected as an ample location to lay a pillar marking the control points by the Survey Of Kenya in a project set to mark new control points in the whole country in the year 2013.The pillar erected at the DKUT fields is of order one and is inter-visible from the pillar of order zero located at the top of Nyeri hill. 

This is to provide a better platform for surveyors who might be interested in carrying out survey tasks around Nyeri as there is a number of control points now available and the surveyors can use the one that suite them better . The pillar was erected on Tuesday 28^th  May,2013.