Thirty-two senior and vocational high school teachers completed BIOTROP’s Training on Practical Applications of Geographic Information System (GIS) as a Teaching Material held on 20 - 23 September 2016 at the Centre’s headquarter. The participants came from Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, Sulawesi and Sumbawa islands.

The training was aimed to improve the competency of the school teachers in using GIS as a teaching material as well as a school subject. This training also served as venue for the school teachers to share their knowledge and experiences on teaching GIS.

BIOTROP Director, Dr Irdika Mansur, emphasized the importance and varied applications of GIS during his welcome and opening remarks. He encouraged the participants to explore other more uses of GIS that would benefit their respective schools and communities by challenging the creativity of their students while teaching the subject matter to them.

Upon finishing this training, all trainees were expected to: 1. understand the concept of GIS, spatial data sources, related regulations and their development in Indonesia; 2. apprehend the application components and technical use of the GIS software (stand-alone and mobile); 3. develop teaching materials related to earth science field; and 4. create interactive learning materials using GIS technology and current spatial data.

The training consisted of lectures and practicum which were divided into six compulsory courses and three elective courses. Resource persons were Dr Sumaryono, M.Sc., from Geospatial Information Agency and Dr. Samsul Bachri Agus from Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, IPB, Mr Harry Imantho, M.Sc., Mr Armaiki Yusmur, S.Si and Mr. Slamet Widodo, S.Si from SEAMEO BIOTROP.

Mr. Slamet Widodo, BIOTROP GIS and Remote Sensing Laboratory researcher, coordinated the training.