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Summer School - Geospatial Technologies and Remote Sensing for Monitoring SDGs, 4 - 9 July 2016, Hungary

Publish Date: Jan 27, 2016

Deadline: Feb 14, 2016

Event Dates: from Jul 04, 2016 12:00 to Jul 09, 2016 12:00

With the recent adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the call by UN Secretary General for a “revolution” in the use of data for sustainable development, geospatial technologies have tremendous potential to effectively and efficiently monitor SDG progress. In the fifteen years since the adoption of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the amount of data available, as well as data collection and processing methods have changed substantially.
 
Geospatial technologies and remote sensing offer a crucial location element to the monitoring of SDGs and their corresponding targets and indicators. The unprecedented “power of where” allows for unbiased observation and analysis across borders, administrative boundaries, and nations.
Yet there is still a gap between the technology world and the world of environmental decision- and policy-makers. Despite the tremendous potential geospatial technologies offer, there are still traditional fears among practitioners that prevent their uptake. Furthermore, these technologies are constantly changing and improving, making it even more difficult for practitioners to track the updates  about the potential use and application of technologies, such as geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing.
This course is part of a series of “Bridging ICTs and the Environment” workshops that aim to address that gap: providing in-service education and professional training for environmental decision-makers and practitioners, who are in a position to greatly benefit from this data revolution to better shape management strategies and to make more informed, data-driven decisions.
The workshop provides a timely opportunity to get updated on the latest advances in geospatial technologies and remote sensing, and their application to the monitoring of SDGs. These technologies can be applied to many of the 17 SDGs: sustainable water management and sanitation; improving resilience and sustainability of cities and urban settlements; conservation of the world’s oceans; sustainable management of forests, biodiversity, and terrestrial ecosystems; and more.
Workshop Tracks
This workshop has two tracks:
1) geospatial technologies (July 4-8) and
2) remote sensing (July 4-9).

Applicants are required to select one track, which will determine the practical sessions they will attend and the final project focus area.

The course will begin with a 2-day plenary session for all participants, setting the stage and highlighting the importance of this “data revolution”, and its relevance and significance to the monitoring of SDGs. Once participants separate into their selected tracks, they will combine examples from the plenary session, acquired practical knowledge, and their past experience to complete a course project addressing at least one of the SDG targets or indicators. Each participant will present their outcomes on the last day of the course (Day 5 for the geospatial track, Day 6 for the remote sensing track), which will be graded by selected faculty.

Workshop Tracks

This workshop has two tracks:
1) geospatial technologies (July 4-8) and
2) remote sensing (July 4-9).

Applicants are required to select one track, which will determine the practical sessions they will attend and the final project focus area. The course will begin with a 2-day plenary session for all participants, setting the stage and highlighting the importance of this “data revolution”, and its relevance and significance to the monitoring of SDGs. Once participants separate into their selected tracks, they will combine examples from the plenary session, acquired practical knowledge, and their past experience to complete a course project addressing at least one of the SDG targets or indicators. Each participant will present their outcomes on the last day of the course (Day 5 for the geospatial track, Day 6 for the remote sensing track), which will be graded by selected faculty.

Target Group

The target group for this workshop includes: National Focal Points of international conventions, mid-level professionals, academia and researchers directly involved in environmental, water, or SDG-related issues that could benefit from learning how to apply geospatial technologies and remote sensing in their daily work.

Workshop Directors

Viktor Lagutov, Central European University, Hungary
Lorant Czaran, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, Austria

Workshop Faculty

Martin Engels, Esri, Switzerland
Zsuzsanna Gabor, Central European University, Hungary
Derek Gliddon, Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative, United Arab Emirates
Annukka Lipponen, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Switzerland
Ed Parsons Google, London, UK

Important dates and deadlines

Important Dates and Deadlines

Application deadlines:

February 14, 2016

  • ADR-International Business Negotiation
  • ADR-Mediation 
  • International Business Negotiation
  • Cities and Science
  • Geospatial Technologies and Remote Sensing for Monitoring SDGS
  • Innovations in Disaster Risk Reduction
  • Innovative Financing for Education
  • In the Labyrinth of National Identity
  • Matter, Mind and Consciousness
  • International Business Negotiation
  • Political Psychology
  • Screened Memories
  • Strategic Human Rights Litigation
  • Summer Institute on Program Evaluation - Policy Evaluation
  • Understanding Communication 
  • What Makes Us Human

February 20, 2016

  • Green Industry

February 29, 2016

  • Constitution-building in Africa

March 1, 2016

  • Precautionary Principle

March 15, 2016

  • Summer Institute on Program Evaluation - Using Logic Models to Evaluate Social Programs - Early Bird enrolment
  • Topics in Violent Online Political Extremism

March 31, 2016 

  • Low Dimensional Topology

April 15, 2016

  • Summer Institute on Program Evaluation - Using Logic Models to Evaluate Social Programs

General dates

  • Email notification about the decision: mid-April - mid-May
  • Participants confirm acceptance and housing needs: in two weeks after receipt of the acceptance notification
  • Activation of the course-specific e-learning sites with readings and course outlines: end of April - end of May
  • Early-bird deadline of tuition payment for fee-paying participants: April 30th
  • Tuition payment deadline for fee-paying participants: May 28th
  • Participants needing a visa reserve tickets, confirm exact travel dates to SUN; SUN Office sends out original invitation letter and room reservation for visa application: 6 weeks prior to arrival
  • Participants submit visa applications: 30 days prior to arrival
  • Participant arrivals, hotel check-in, and registration: one day before the course starts
  • Orientation session at CEU: on the first day of the course
Course-specific dates
 
The "Course-specific dates" of the following courses are different from the general SUN dates. Click on the course names to see their specific deadlines.

How To Apply

Please read the following directions carefully.

Below is the list of the documents you need to prepare or arrange for submission:

  1. Completed online SUN Application Form
  2. Full curriculum vitae or resume, includingteaching and research projects, list of publications, if any, and two references with contact emails
  3. Motivation Letter (max 1 page) - your reasons for taking part in this summer school
  4. One Writing Sample in English (max. 20 pages)

Optional attachments:

  • Presentation of the project you are currently working on and would like to present at the summer school
  • Letters of recommendation
  • A cover letter (max. 1 page) to support application for financial aid (mandatory for those who wish to receive financial aid)
  1. Online Application Form

SUN's Online Application Form, delivered by Embark, enables the online submission of the application form itself as well as all other relevant documentation, including CV's and resumes, letter of recommendation, statements of purpose and application essays (such as research proposal, case study, paper proposal, writing samples, academic records, etc.), eliminating all paper mailing to the SUN Office.

In addition, applicants will be able to use this system to track their progress and learn the outcome of their admissions evaluation online. Admissions decisions will be available to applicants as soon as they are entered into the system.

Please note that you can only apply to one course.

The application form is password-protected. 

  1. a) In case you have started an application for our program in previous years, you can use your old login and password and can log in as a "Returning Embark User" (right-hand side of the page). In case you cannot remember your old password, click on the "Forget your password?" link.
  2. b) In case you have not started an application before, please register first in the "New User?" section (left-hand side of the page). For registration please click on "Create an Account" and provide the requested information. Embark will send you your password by email and then you can log in and start your application, this time already as a returning user.

Further user's instructions for the online application are included in the form itself.

Should you have questions regarding the application form, check the relevant Frequently Asked Questions.

  1. Full curriculum vitae or resume, including teaching and research projects, list of publications, if any, and two references with contact emails

Please upload your Curriculum Vitae or resume, including teaching and research projects, list of publications, if any, and two references with contact emails.

  1. Motivation Letter (max 1 page)

In the Motivation Letter please describe your reasons for taking part in this summer school.

  1. One Writing Sample in English (max. 20 pages)

Please upload an English-language document related to thecourse theme. This could be a published piece (e.g. an article) or an unpublished work in progress.

Optional attachments:

  • Presentation of the project you are currently working on and would like to present at the summer school
  • Letters of recommendation
  • A cover letter (max. 1 page) to support application for financial aid (mandatory for those who wish to receive financial aid)

Applicants who wish to apply for financial aid are expected to upload a cover letter in which they specify their reasons.

All application materials must be submitted electronically with the online application form. CEU does not accept application documents by e-mail or fax. Candidates who may experience difficulties with the online submission of their documents should contact the SUN Office.

CEU does not return application documents, or copies thereof under any circumstances. Applications submitted after the deadline will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Inquiries

If you need help or more information during the application process, please feel free to contact the SUN staff:

E-mail for inquiry and correspondence: summeru@ceu.edu
Tel: (36-1) 327-3811
Fax: (36-1) 327-3124
Skype (free Internet telephone): ceu-sun

Notification

The SUN Office will notify applicants about the selection results around the end of April. Please check the 'Important course dates' section on the relevant course web sites for earlier or later planned notification deadlines. The final decision is not open to appeal.

Financial Aid

As the number of scholarships available is limited,funding offered by institutions or individuals is welcome so that we can invite more well qualified applicants. When choosing the financial aid package, please consider if you or your institution can contribute to the program expenses. Faculty and Ph.D. students are advised to approach their home departments for travel grants; researchers may have research grants available which can cover their participation; professionals may turn to their employers to fund their training at SUN. You can also consult some non-CEU funding opportunities listed in our FAQ sectionWhile selection of applicants will be based on the academic merit of the applications, those willing to bear the participation costs fully or partially will be preferred in case of equally strong applications.

Financial aid is available in the following categories:

  • tuition waiver
  • accommodation grant
  • travel grant (full or partial)
  • Participants from Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union and Mongolia, as well as those coming from emerging countries worldwide can apply for financial aid in all categories listed above.
  • Participants from developed countries are expected to pay tuition fee. However, there are a limited number of tuition waivers available on a competitive basis. Those who wish to apply for a tuition waiver should send a separate cover letter specifying their reasons.
  • Participants are NOT eligible to receive financial aid if they attended two CEU funded Summer University courses within a four-year period.
  • In case an applicant is accepted to two courses, which is only possible if the two courses are run consecutively, financial aid is only available for attending one course.

SUN Packages

All packages will include the following:

  • a minimum of 24 tuition hours per week
  • a certificate of attendance
  • access to course E-learning page (with readings, assignments, etc.)
  • access to CEU facilities (Library, IT services, sports centre including the use of the indoor swimming pool, tennis courts)
  • some social and cultural events depending on the course schedules (e.g. welcome and farewell reception / outings /fieldtrips / film screenings, etc.)
  1. Fee-Paying Package

Financial aid: N/A
Participant's own contribution: tuition, travel, accommodation, health insurance and living expenses

Payment deadlines

  • April 30(Early Bird fee)
  • May 28 (Full tuition fee)

Cancellation Policy

In the event of cancellation, CEU will refund the tuition fee as follows:

  • Before May 28 - CEU will fully refund the tuition fee.
  • Between May 28th and 14 days prior to the course starting - 80% of the tuition fee will be refunded. 
  • Within 14 days of the course starting - no refund for tuition fees will be given. 
  1. Financial Aid packages
  • Tuition Waiver
    Financial aid: tuition fee waived
    Participant's own contribution: health insurance, travel, accommodation and living expense.
  • Partial SUN Scholarship
    Financial aid: tuition fee waived and free accommodation in a double room
    Participant's own contribution:health insurance, travel and living expenses
  • Full SUN Scholarship
    Financial aid:tuition fee waived; free accommodation in a double room and a full or partial travel grant
    Participant’s own contribution: health insurance and living expenses.

The Full SUN Scholarship includes a full or partial travel grant which can be applied for on a competitive basis and will be available in a limited number. Visa costs and short domestic trips are not reimbursed. The citizens of the following countries are not eligible to apply for a travel grant: Bosnia, Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and the western part of Ukraine and qualify therefore for a Partial SUN Scholarship.


This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:

http://www.summer.ceu.hu/geospatial-2016

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Disciplines

Environmental Studies

Opportunity Types

Scholarships

Eligible Countries

International

Host Countries

Hungary