Past Events
- March 2025 MC2FM Learners Workshop in Schools
Description
The Remote Sensing Research Group (RSRG), a key component of the Institute of Geomatics, GIS, and Remote Sensing (IGGReS) continues to focus on incorporating advanced geospatial technological solutions into educational programs and conservation projects, ensuring that state-of-the-art scientific research translates into tangible, positive outcomes. Through the MC2FM project, titled “Participatory Approach to Climate Change Mitigation and Forest Restoration in the Muringato Catchment,” unites stakeholders to advance environmental conservation. From March 4th to 6th, 2025, the team held workshops in Mwenji Primary School, Mweiga Primary School, Kiguru Primary School, Nyaribo Primary School, Chania Primary School, and Muringato Primary School—engaging Grade 5 and 6 learners in remote sensing basics. Students practiced map production and land use classification using tools developed by the Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) team, gaining hands-on experience with geospatial technologies. The workshops sparked enthusiasm among learners and teachers, revealing a strong interest in further exploration. This initiative highlights the RSRG’s commitment to fostering innovation and environmental stewardship through education, empowering the next generation to tackle climate change and conservation challenges in the Muringato catchment and beyond.
- March 2025 MC2FM Workshop
Description
The university maintains its commitment to innovation through science and technology as a fundamental value. Through the Remote Sensing Research Group (RSRG), which operates within the Institute of Geomatics, GIS and Remote Sensing (IGGReS), ongoing scientific explorations focus on integrating advanced technologies into both educational frameworks and conservation initiatives. Through the MC2FM project titled; “Participatory approach to Climate Change Mitigation and Forest Restoration in the Muringato Catchment” the RSRG team has been working with various stakeholders within the Muringato catchment area towards various environmental conservation efforts. To understand the various works ongoing under this project, a one-day workshop on the 3rd March 2025 held at DeKUT was organized by the project teams from Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT) and Ruhr University Bochum (RUB). The event featured oral presentations on ongoing research projects where team members shared innovative approaches and findings, sparking insightful discussions on challenges and future directions. The workshop highlighted the project teams’ commitment to leveraging remote sensing and geospatial technologies to address critical global issues in agriculture, forestry, and climate resilience.
- DeKUT participates in the Kenya Space Expo and Conference (KSEC) 2024
Description
The Remote Sensing Research Group was provided an opportunity to attend the 2nd Kenya Space Expo and Conference, which was organized by the Kenya Space Agency (KSA), and got the chance to present the outputs of the small-scale mapping platform that had been developed in the Remote Sensing Research Group (RSRG) by a grant facilitated by KSA. This event allowed the research group to gain recognition and share their innovations with the broader scientific community
- DeKUT participates in the 43st EARSeL Conference
Description
The Remote Sensing Research Group (RSRG) team from the Institute of Geomatics, GIS and Remote Sensing (IGGReS) made an oral presentation titled “Enhancing Learners’ Involvement in Participatory Environmental Conservation” at this year’s 43rd edition of the EARSeL Conference held in Manchester, UK from the 17th to the 20th June 2024. This presentation formed the final results of the CITGI4 Muringato project titled “Participatory Approach to Environmental Conservation of the Muringato Catchment Area for Sustainable Management and Enhanced Ecosystem Health”
The CITGI4 Muringato project (November 2020 – March 2024) was funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and was undertaken in collaboration with a team from the Ruhr University Bochum (RUB).
- Drone Training
Description
The Remote Sensing Research Group (RSRG) team and part of the Institute of Geomatics, GIS and Remote Sensing (IGGReS) team underwent a 2 weeks’ theory and practical drone training exercise under the CITGI4Muringato project. The training, undertaken by Geoid Technologies Limited equipped the team members with the prerequisite skills and knowledge associated with drone flying requirements. Moreover, the training ensured compliance with the regulations set out by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). The training was successfully completed, with the team acquiring their Remote Pliot Licences (RPL).
- Environmental Conservation ELearning Workshop
Description
Innovation remains a core value of the university. As such, various efforts geared towards integration of technology in the education and conservation realm continue to be explored by the Remote Sensing Research Group (RSRG) under the Institute of Geomatics, GIS and Remote Sensing (IGGReS). Through the CITGI4 project “Participatory Approach to Environmental Conservation of the Muringato Catchment Area for Sustainable Management and Enhanced Ecosystem Health”, the RSRG team has been working with various stakeholders within the Muringato catchment area towards various environmental conservation efforts. One of the major stakeholders has been the education sector: both learners and teachers. Various E-learning tools have been developed to support the environmental conservation efforts. To ensure the tools relevance to the school curriculum, the developed e-learning content was aligned to the current competency based curriculum (CBC). The grade 4 social studies topic “Resources and Economic Activities” was identified as the one aligned to the environmental conservation area. E-Learning tools namely: 2D simulation models, 3D simulation models, and video animations were developed.
To ensure the effective use of the developed tools by the learners and teachers, as well as get feedback on the developed content, a two-day workshop on the 11th and 12th January 2023 held at DeKUT was organized by the CITGI4 project teams from Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT) and Ruhr University Bochum (RUB). Learners and teachers from the various parts of the catchment were invited to ensure a balanced representation. Learners from Muringato Primary School, Mary Mother Academy Primary School, Nyaribo Primary School, Hill Farm Primary School and Mwangaza Primary School participated in the workshop, with each school bringing along 5 learners. Moreover, DeKUT staff members with learners in grades 4 and 5 were invited to bring them along to the workshop as well. Also invited to the workshop was a team from the Kenya Space Agency (KSA) and a cartographer/children books author Ms. Catherine Njore to make their presentations. This was a collaborative effort to pass down critical knowledge to the learners on environmental conservation. The learners viewed the e-learning video developed by the DeKUT team. They were then introduced to remote sensing by the RUB team who utilized simple tools used to develop desktop applications. The learners were engaged stepwise which enhanced the understanding of the concepts taught. KSA made their presentation using practical examples of remote sensing for environmental conservation in addition to making a presentation on the space club. Ms.Njore afterwards introduced the learners to maps and mapmaking and gave the learners a task to draw a map of their classroom.
Prof E. Magiri, DeKUT Deputy Vice Chancellor- Administration and Finance making her introductory remarks and officially opening the workshop sessions (Left).Dr. Arthur W. Sichangi, Director IGGReS, making his introductory remarks before the Learners’ workshop began (Right).Learners’ workshop session in progress. - Distribution of E-learning Books
Description
Upon the Completion of the E-learning booklet development, the book was distributed to the schools within the Muringato Catchment.
