CGMS-38 WMO-WP-16
27 August 2010
Prepared by WMO
Agenda Item: H1
Discussed in Plenary
VIRTUAL LABORATORY AND RELATED MATTERS
In response to CGMS action 37.12
The paper reports on training activities within the Virtual Laboratory for Education
and Training in Satellite Meteorology (VLab) along with future plans and directions.
Important developments have taken place since GMS-37, including the development
of the roadmap towards widening the scope of VLab activities to serve the needs of
emerging scientific communities in the developing countries, funding of the TSO
until March 2011, the fifth Virtual Laboratory Management Group meeting (VLMG-5)
in July 2010 at CMATC in Beijing, China and the agreement with COMET to use the
ESRC as the resource library for the VLab. The TSO has efficiently supported the
various activities and further advanced the objectives of the VLab along the lines of
the five-year strategy, but its position needs to be further funded in the long run.
A summary of the annual reports from the CoEs and sponsoring satellite operating
agencies for the period from May 2009 to June 2010 is given in this status report.
CGMS is invited to note the important achievements of the VLab, to provide
comments, and to consider the actions below.
Actions proposed:
•
VLab Co-chairs to discuss with VLab sponsoring agencies the funding of the
Technical Support Officer (TSO) position from March 2011 onwards.
•
WMO to continue dialogue with ISRO regarding the establishment of a CoE
and the co-sponsoring of the CoE in Oman.
•
CGMS-38 to approve the application submitted by KMA as a Centre of Excellence of
the VLab, as described in Annex IV.
•
CGMS is invited to comment upon the proposed roadmap to widen the scope
of VLab training activities to serve the needs of emerging scientific
communities in the developing countries, and to approve it at CGMS-38.
•
CGMS-38 to comment on reviewed expectations from CoEs, Satellite
operating agencies, WMO-CGMS and the Terms of Reference.
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VIRTUAL LABORATORY AND RELATED MATTERS
1
INTRODUCTION
This report briefly describes the latest activities / achievements of the Virtual Laboratory
for Education and Training in Satellite Meteorology (VLab) since September 2009.
Besides the various activities which took place in the Centres of Excellence (CoEs) the
major achievements are the creation of a logo for the VLab, funding of the TSO until
March 2011, the fifth Virtual Laboratory Management Group (VLMG-5) in July 2010 at
CMATC in Beijing, China, the review of WMO document 258, specifically chapter 7.9,
the agreement with COMET to use the Environmental Satellite Resource Centre
(ESRC) as a resource library for the VLab and the proposal for a roadmap towards
widening the scope of VLab activities to serve the needs of emerging scientific
communities in the developing countries.
Section two provides a summary and analysis of the annual reports received from the
CoEs and satellite operating agencies. In Section three, the activities of the Virtual
Laboratory since CGMS-37 are highlighted. Section four gives an outline of the planned
activities and projects for the near future. Finally, Section five introduces a proposed
strategy towards widening the scope of VLab activities to serve the needs of emerging
scientific communities in the developing countries.
2
SUMMARY OF ANNUAL REPORTS FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY TO
JUNE 2010
The Satellite operating agencies and the CoEs reported on their training activities for
the period May 2009 to June 2010 by completing standard format reports. Highlights
are given below. The full reports can be downloaded from the WMO central VLab
website http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/sat/vlab/VLab-home.html
CoEs using both, online and classroom resources offered a total of 89 courses. This
shows an increase in the number of courses offered when compared with previous
reports. The blended learning approach was also successfully used in one of the
courses. This blended training event consisted of on-line sessions broadcasted from
Brazil and Portugal, together with in-class activities happening at the event’s centre in
Mozambique, where the participants were based. This technique appears to be raising
interest between CoEs, as a number of courses to be offered in the near future will be
using the blended learning approach. Another topic that has shown increased interest is
the use of Moodle as a course management tool. The majority of CoEs are now using
Moodle, or have indicated their interest in using it.
A variety of course topics were offered during the reporting period and topic choices
depended on the expertises and needs of each CoE. A list of course topics can be seen
in Appendix I. Course languages included English, French, Spanish, Portuguese,
Russian, Arabic and Chinese.
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The number of participants attending the courses during the reporting period was about
1300. This number is higher than that presented for the previous reporting period, also
indicating growth in both VLab activities and its visibility. A list of course participants’
countries of origin can be seen in Appendix II. Excluded from this number are the
participants attending two Distance Training courses offered by CMA - “Applications of
Met Satellite Data” and “Operational Meteorology”. Together, these two courses sum
up the staggering number of 3,325 participants. These courses used the “CMATC
distance education system” and highlight the expertise of this CoE on distance
education. Adding to those figures, there are also online courses that can be taken at
any time, providing ongoing accessible training such as VISIT Teletraining and COMET
modules.
Internet connectivity and speed is still posing a problem in some CoEs and has to be
improved significantly to allow optimum and smooth use for online training courses.
3 ACTIVITIES IN THE VIRTUAL LABORATORY SINCE CGMS-37
In a nutshell it can be summarised that the VLab has grown, training and outreach
activities have taken place within the various CoEs and the scope of VLab activities
has widened. Furthermore the VLab performed at an exceptional level of activity
since CGMS-37. The conducted VLab activities within the last 12 months comply with
WMO document 258 as well as the five-year VLab training strategy.
3.1 VLMG-5 meeting 12-14 July 2010 in Beijing
The VLMG-5 meeting took place from 12 - 14 July in Beijing, China on the premises
of the China Meteorological Agency Training Centre (CMATC). The meeting was
followed by a two-day Seminar on Training Matters. In total 24 persons participated in
the meeting and the seminar. The presentations were followed by group discussions
during which actions and recommendations were captured for the VLab. The main
topics presented and discussed by the Group were: User Preparedness Plan for the
Transition of new Satellite Generations, Status of WMO document 258 and in
particular chapter 7.9, COMET’s ESRC including a hands-on-session to test the
functionalities, Status of CoEs VLab websites, Developing the Training Plan and
Training Events Calendar.
It can be summarised that the meeting was very successful and initiated interesting
discussions. The scope of the VLab will be broadened to other emerging scientific
communities in developing countries. Therefore the VLab has prepared a roadmap
towards widening the scope of VLab activities to serve the needs of these
communities. Chapter 5 of this report will deal with this topic.
The dedicated VLab Task Team on the review of WMO document 258 has finally
reviewed chapter 7.9 and presented the draft at the VLMG-5 meeting to the Group.
The reviewed and updated WMO document 258, chapter 7.9 constitutes an important
step for the future development of the VLab training activities which will comply with
the specified requirements. Furthermore the Group has reviewed the expectations from
CoEs, Satellite operating agencies, WMO-CGMS and the Terms of Reference.
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3.2
Regional Focus Groups
The VLab Focus Group of the Americas, which carries out regular online weather
briefings in Costa Rica and Barbados, has proved to be successful in training and
expanding the use of satellite data. This demonstrates the importance of Regional
Focus Groups (RFG) within the VLab.
BMTC conducted VLab sessions with JMA, Met Service New Zealand and
Eumetcal
For the first time the CoE in Melbourne, Bureau of Meteorology Training Centre
(BoMTC) conducted VLab sessions with JMA, Met Service New Zealand and Eumetcal
during the Advanced Forecaster Course from 31st May to 11th June. Satellite related
topics were presented on the 7th and 8th of June. These included lectures pertaining to
Satellite Data: Strategic Directions, Potential Vorticity: Conceptual Models, Water
Vapour Imagery and Hyper-spectral Imagery. A Water Vapour Workshop was also
conducted as well as VLab sessions. The VLab sessions were organised together with
Eumetcal (Vesa Nietosvaara - “Satrep Online”), Japan Meteorological Agency
(Yoshiyuki Terasaka and Akihiro Shimizu - "Objective Cloud Analysis") and with the
Meteorological Service of New Zealand (Chris Webster – “Regional Chart Discussion”).
The Eumetcal “Satrep Online” session complemented and enhanced the previous
lecture on Hyper-spectral Imagery.
The Regional Chart Discussion session with the Meteorological Service of New Zealand
allowed for a valuable exchange of forecasting ideas between Australian and New
Zealand forecasters.
It is strongly recommended that all Centres of Excellence conduct regularly such
RFG discussions, which are a key element of the VLab strategy.
The West Africa Regional Focus Group Third Workshop
The West Africa RFG held its third workshop in Nouakchott, Mauritania from 4th to 8th
July 2010. The workshop topic was “Use of new distance learning techniques and
tools”.
The workshop was intended for ASECNA CELICA MET trainers and sought to train
them on the use of online virtual training platforms to create, animate, manage and
evaluate activities of distance training.
Eighteen (18) ASECNA CELICA MET trainers from 18 African countries, three
representatives of ASECNA Operational Division, two instructors from EAMAC and a
member of the ASECNA Representation in Mauritania, took part in this workshop.
The workshop was conducted in the form of presentations and practical exercises on
the VISITView course, the use of Moodle and Centra platforms. At the end of the
workshop, each participant was capable of installing and configuring VISITView, Moodle
and Centra platforms for distance training.
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EUMETSAT Dust Events Week 1-5 March 2010
EUMETSAT, in collaboration with Eumetcal, the WMO Virtual Laboratory and the
Nowcasting SAF, conducted a special online training event week on detecting,
nowcasting and forecasting dust clouds using satellite data to highlight the importance
of EUMETSAT satellite data for the detection of dust. The training week consisted of
eight online sessions dealing with the detection, nowcasting and forecasting of dust
clouds using geostationary and polar orbiting satellite data.
During this training event week, over 130 participants from 34 different institutes in 25
countries attended the online sessions and contributed actively to the discussions.
The use of the web conferencing tool Centra for these online sessions enabled free and
easy access for the registered participants. All the sessions were recorded and made
available for download on the EUMETSAT website. It has been discussed in Beijing that
this event will be repeated.
The South African Satrep Online
The South African Satrep Online was offered to SAWS in 2009. Due to network
instability, at SAWS the system is actually hosted by the European Satrep Online and
maintained by EuMeTrain. Challenges ahead are the introduction of more satellite fields
and NWP products, the final decision about the hosting of the system and the training of
an “administrator” from SAWS.
The Use of Satellite Data for Land-Surface Monitoring
The first blended learning course for Portuguese speaking countries took place from 1-5
December 2008 in Brasilia, Brazil. A similar course took place from 2-6 November 2009
in Maputo, Mozambique. The course is a simultaneous face-to-face and online training
event based on VISITView and Moodle. This regional online course includes three
WMO Regions (I Africa, III South America and VI Europe).
3.3
VLab Newsletter
The VLab has issued within the last 12 months twice its VLab Newsletter which was
well received by VLMG members. It can be found on the WMO VLab central website as
well as on the VLab Moodle site. The VLab Newsletter serves as an important tool to
inform the VLMG members and other interested parties about the activities of the VLab
and should be aimed at being issued every 3-4 months.
3.4 VLMG Web Meetings
The Virtual Laboratory Management Group (VLMG) conducted 3 web meetings within
the reporting period. The online meeting for the Western hemisphere were attended on
average by 14 participants and those for the Eastern hemisphere by 12 participants,
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altogether coming from five continents. EUMETSAT hosted all web meetings using
Centra - a web conferencing tool provided by Saba. Since the organisation of the web
meetings proved to be very successful, the Group agreed to conduct these online
meetings every 3 months using the web conferencing tool Saba Centra. The web
meetings are a good mechanism to keep the Group updated about the ongoing and
planned activities of the VLab. The next face-to-face VLMG meeting will take place in
July 2012 and will be hosted by INPE / CPTEC.
3.5 Finalised VLab logo
In order to better promote the identity of the WMO Virtual Laboratory, a new logo has
been designed and finally approved by the VLab Management Group. The final logo
is shown in Appendix III. The VLab logo has been inserted on the WMO VLab central
website as well as on the VLab Moodle site.
3.6 Harmonised VLab websites
Currently there are together with the latest VLab website of Argentina 8 existing VLab
websites (WMO, JMA, INPE, EUMETSAT, CIRA, BoM, ROSHYDROMET, UBA (CoE
Argentina). At the VLMG-5 meeting the Working Group on websites discussed this
issue. This resulted in a new action to design a new central VLab website and a
template for the CoE VLab websites and to write guidelines containing all the
essential common elements to be included in the VLab websites. A number of
elements were identified as being necessary for enhancing the usefulness of the
WMO VLab central website. Similarly, the CoE websites were also evaluated and a
number of common elements were also noted.
3.7 VLab Fact Sheet
An additional Marketing tool has been created in the form of a fact sheet explaining
the global network of the VLab. The VLab fact sheet will be distributed at
conferences in order to help promoting the VLab.
3.8 Virtual Resources Library
The possibility of using COMET’s new Environmental Satellite Resource Center
(ESRC) as a resource library of the WMO VLab has been further advanced. In the
meantime an official agreement between WMO, CGMS and COMET to use the
ESRC as a resource library for the VLab has been established. The ESRC is
intended to be a community site where organizations and individuals around the
globe can easily submit their resources via online forms by providing a small set of
metadata.
The COMET Program maintains the site and, through dedicated points of contacts for
each topic, provides the necessary quality assurance and monitoring to ensure that
all resources are appropriate and well described before being made available.
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The VL TSO would assure that relevant VLab materials are submitted to ESRC and
kept up to date.
During the Seminar on Training Matters in Beijing COMET gave a remote
presentation on the ESRC, its origin, role and responsibilities. Furthermore a handson-session was given by COMET to the participants in order to test the funcionalities
of the ESRC. This raised a few questions by the Group such as the possibility to
insert the VLab logo on the ESRC website. Pat Parrish confirmed that the logo could
most probably be added to the “about ESRC” page. The searchable, database-driven
capabilities of ESRC suit the VLab well as a portal to its training resources. It was
also agreed that, for consistency and easy recognition, VLab submissions to ESRC
should indicate “VLab” in the publisher field. The name of the institute responsible for
the resource should follow - for example: VLab/EUMETSAT.
3.9 Training events calendar
EUMETSAT has developed a prototype of a web-based training events calendar and
has offered to host it on their server. The training events calendar was presented
during the hands-on-session in Beijing and it was well received by the Group. It is
already running on a local server at EUMETSAT. The calendar could be shared
between different programmes such as VLab, Eumetcal, WMO Education and Training,
and others and could also serve as a means to advertise training events. Authorised
users e.g. the TSO will have access to insert data. Once the prototype has been tested
and evaluated by EUMETSAT, WMO, the VLab, EuMeTrain and Eumetcal it can be
used by the end of 2010 respectively beginning of 2011 at the latest.
3.10 Centre of Excellence in the Russian Federation fully integrated
The Russian Federation participates in the VLab as a sponsoring agency and has
established a Centre of Excellence. The CoE is in Moscow as part of the Regional
Training Centre and the sponsoring satellite agency is at ROSHYDROMET. The
Russian CoE as well as the satellite agencies are fully integrated in the network of
the VLab.
3.11 KMA to become a new VLab member
KMA showed a strong interest in the activities of the VLab and contacted the WMO
Space Programme for information and the procedure on becoming a member. The
dialogue between WMO and KMA on becoming a VLab member has been advanced.
Official letter exchange between WMO and KMA took place at the end of 2009. KMA
also participated in the recent online VLab meetings in order to become familiar with
the different projects within the VLab. For the first time KMA participated at the
VLMG-5 meeting in Beijing. A summary of the application of KMA is attached as
Annex IV. The participation of KMA as a member in the network of the VLab will be
confirmed after approval by CBS and CGMS.
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3.12 Review of VLab Requirements and VLMG Terms of Reference
The VLab reviewed the role of the CoEs and satellite operators as originally defined
at VLMG-2 and reviewed and updated at VLMG-3.
The VLab members concluded that a revised set of expectations for all VLab
partners were now appropriate. The revised expectations are given in Appendix V.
The group recognised that some thought needs to be given to a mechanism to give
CoEs and satellite operators the opportunity to re-affirm their commitment based
on the revised expectations.
The group also reviewed the Terms of Reference (ToR) that were defined at VLMG2. Through open discussion the ToR were amended and a modified version
agreed. The revised Terms of Reference are attached as Appendix VI.
3.13 The VLab has a new Co-Chair
Luiz Machado was released from his duty as former VLab Co-Chair at the last ETSUP meeting in March 2010 in Geneva. Kathy-Ann Caesar from The Caribbean
Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), Barbados, was proposed as a very
suitable candidate. She accepted to take this new responsibility and will help with her
expertise to strengthen the activities of the VLab. Kathy-Ann is a meteorologist and
lecturer at CIMH since 2000 and first became involved in the VLab in 2003 when the
online VISITView Regional Satellite Focus Group Discussions began.
She has been a very ardent supporter and has formed the Caribbean Weather
Discussion Group.
4
OUTLOOK
4.1 Planned activities:
• More regular and continuous RFG discussions (e.g. Costa Rica and
Barbados) to be conducted by all CoEs
• Initial SATRep online from Pretoria to be further developed
• Specific focus should be put on the creation and delivery of blended learning
Courses
•
The organising of an aviation related events week was suggested at VLMG-5.
Some existing teaching materials could be incorporated into training courses.
Courses should be built with a set of generic case studies, as it would make it
easier to share the training and that would be a good way to help each other.
The idea would be to repeat the events week in other geographical areas.
CoEs in Australia and South Africa could be the first organisers to offer the
events week on aviation. Existing materials could be used and modified
accordingly, depending on the specific region to build new case studies. “New”
case studies should be linked to ESRC, so to contribute to the sharing of
training materials. This would serve as a good example of how the VLab is
helping with the ”route to prepare” for the WMO new approach - helping
countries to be ready by 2013.
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Roger Deslandes will liaise with New Zealand Met. Service and collaborate
with Winifred Jordaan to organise an events week on the aviation theme.
Kathy-Ann Caesar will work with Bernadette Connell to organise a similar
event and offer it in a different time zone.
•
Following the training course for Marine Forecasters which took place in
December 2009 another course is in the planning stage for March 2011
which will be organized by NOAA, EUMETSAT and CPTEC/INPE. IODE will
participate, either in the event in Brazil or as a backup host. This activity
shows that partners of the VLab frame network have joined to embark on
training another related community. This can serve as a model to open the
VLab for additional training activities using the same approach and
methodology as for the core training.
•
The organisation of compatible time zone training event weeks
These training events should be a continuation of the HPTE training event with
the difference of repeating the same lectures in another geographical area. It
is planned to repeat dust events week in March / April 2011.
For further training events of this type the following topics are considered:
o Fire and smoke
o Fog
o Heavy rain and flooding
o Draught monitoring
o Snow monitoring
o Vegetation monitoring
o Severe weather
o Tropical convection
o Nowcasting
o The tropical cyclone analysis
o The introduction of satellite products
•
Widening the Scope of the WMO/CGMS Virtual Laboratory to Cater for the
Education and Training Needs of Emerging Scientific Communities in
Developing Countries. This topic is presented in Section 5.
•
ISRO confirmed informally their commitment to co-sponsor the CoE in Oman
(and to establish a CoE in India) at VLGM-4. Dialogue needs to be pursued
with ISRO to implement this sponsorship.
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4.2 User preparedness plan for the transition to new satellite
Generations
Volker Gärtner presented at VLMG-5 a short outline about action 5.2 raised at ETSUP-5, for VLMG to define necessary steps for user preparedness. He proposed
the Group a few questions that may help to identify the first steps needed to be
included in the general guidelines for a transition plan. A task team consisting of
Bernadette Connell, Winifred Jordaan, Adamou Garba and a representative from
EUMETSAT was created with the objective to write the “guidelines” as mentioned
above.
4.3 Continued need for funding the Technical Support Officer
In response to action 37.12 a letter has been sent by WMO Space Programme to all
satellite operators on 5 July to ask for funding (see Annex VII). This issue is still
open and until today there is no funding available.
However, further employing a TSO is crucial to keep the progress of the ongoing
and planned activities. A good example of that is the submission of resources to
the ESRC. The links of working VLab websites were already submitted to ESRC.
New training materials prepared should also be submitted in order to keep the
virtual resources library up-to-date.
As for future activities, some specific tasks are listed below:
o Assist in the establishment of more Regional Focus Groups (RFG) and the
building up of user communities;
o Assist the existing RFGs and coordinate activities between them;
o Assist technically in the set up and use of tools such as MOODLE, Visitview,
CENTRA, web-casts;
o Keep continually updated regarding evolving training technologies;
o Prepare regular VLab newsletters;
o Establish constant communication with people involved;
o Assist the RFG coordinator with the distance sessions;
o Maintain the centralized web page;
o Maintain the training and RFG discussion groups schedules;
o Assist the VLMG Co-chairs monitoring activities;
o Produce relevant reports for use by CGMS, ET-SUP, VLMG;
o Help in the organization of training events in coordination with WMO;
o Produce assessments based on the annual reports of the CoEs;
o Help in the analysis of the personnel (the training component);
o Ensure that training events have a virtual component for people who want to
participate and cannot travel;
o Carry out and report on the evaluation of training events;
o Provide advice on future VLab developments.
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5
WIDENING THE SCOPE OF THE VL TO SERVE TRAINING NEEDS OF EMERGING
SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITIES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
5.1 Background
It will be recalled that at CGMS37 there was a first discussion on widening the scope
of VLab training activities in order to provide remote sensing education and training to
evolving science communities in less developed countries. In many of these
countries students frequently endeavour to pursue their research without learning
how to understand, acquire and make proper use of the data. The wide range of
satellite data available via the internet and other sources can make such research
daunting. It is generally agreed that the best way forward is to provide the more
isolated researchers, new to the field of satellite data applications, with access to
subject experts who, through the Internet, could play the role of local mentors.
As examples, NASA has developed and supported a series of training workshops,
initially primarily focused on MODIS atmosphere products, and geared towards
graduate students, undergraduates and researchers new to remote sensing in
Brazil, India, Israel, Mexico and the USA. On occasion, they have been held in
conjunction with training on the use of ocean products, atmospheric
chemistry/aerosol products and land product applications using data from an
assortment of EO satellite sensors. In Europe, EUMETSAT has sponsored training
activities related to land applications in Brazil and for Portuguese speaking African
countries, and the application of sand and dust storm products in Arabia and Africa.
Additionally, support has been provided to a training workshop addressing marine
applications, cosponsored by NOAA, which is expected to be repeated in 2011.
5.2 Implementation
The acquisition by students and researchers of greater expertise in the use of
remote sensing products would be achieved through regional training centres
providing short courses and dedicated lectures (classroom and/or online)
addressing particular aspects of remote sensing and which cater to more specific
needs of the local scientific communities, even providing information in the
appropriate local language.
It was generally agreed at CGMS-37 that it would be appropriate to make use of
capabilities of the WMO/CGMS Virtual Laboratory for Satellite Education and
Training (VLab) to achieve this goal by widening the scope of current VLab activities
accordingly. This fits with VLab long term strategic planning and is seen as a costefficient use of existing global infrastructures and pools of subject expertise (e.g.
international science working groups).
It was also pointed out at CGMS-37 that the CGMS R&D satellite operators would
be major participants in such activities and support scientific institutes offering
education and training to their scientific user communities. Indeed, the active
involvement of CGMS R&D satellite operators within the framework of the VLab will
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establish a broader, networked training programme that will, in turn, benefit global
scientific user communities.
Widening the scope of VLab in this way will also help to leverage resources
needed to locate the human resources (topic experts) required to coordinate this
wider international network and identify travel funds for participating graduate
scientists from developing countries when taking part in the regional training
activities away from their home base.
Since the scope of VLab training areas is beginning to expand, it is proposed that
an initial list of such areas would include:
Land and ocean surface monitoring and resulting applications.
dust (including volcanic dust cloud), fire and smoke monitoring,
floods monitoring,
atmospheric chemistry,
It can be noted that several of these topics are already beginning to make the
transition from being merely research activities to being more of an operational
nature and supporting such a transition is clearly a key objective of future VLab
activities.
It is now time to identify an initial team of topic experts from both developed and
developing countries, the former to provide expert training support, the latter, once
trained, to go back to their countries and conduct their own scientific training
programmes in Universities and training institutes. A VLab-based scientific training
programme will also allow selected trainees to possibly spend time with the CGMS
R&D satellite operators in addition to the operational CGMS met satellite operators,
in order to gain the latest expertise in a particular field, develop the all-important
contacts and networks of expertise, and collate materials that would allow them to
create training resources suitable for home consumption.
5.3 Proposed Road Map
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a) The VLab Co-chairs will continue discussions with the WMO Space
Programme and other WMO Departments, together with all CGMS meteorological
and R&D satellite operators, VLab training CoEs and other relevant training
institutes with the aim of developing a list of topics catering to the education and
training needs of emerging scientific communities in developing countries.
b) To assist the Co-Chairs in Task 1, a special CGMS VLab Task Force should
be set up to identify gaps in specific expertise, and where special effort should be
focussed to fill them.
c)
This Task Force, with support from the parties mentioned in 1 above will then
endeavour to identify sources of information required 1) to fill the gaps and 2) to
support the development of appropriate training resources by the trainees.
It is well known that several R&D satellite operators already have considerable
amounts of sophisticated training resources, often freely available via their web
sites. In parallel, access by VLab members to well established educational
archives such as ESRC is expected to be of great benefit to this endeavour.
d) The VLab Co-Chairs will report on the progress of Task Force activities and
achievements at CGMS-39.
6
CONCLUSION AND PROPOSED ACTIONS
6.1 CGMS-38 is invited to comment upon and endorse the proposed roadmap to
widen the scope of VLab training activities to serve the needs of emerging scientific
communities in the developing countries,
6.2 CGMS-38 is also invited to endorse the initial list of training areas to be
addressed by the widening of the scope of VLab training activities.
6.3 On the basis of this initial list of topics, CGMS-38 is invited to agree that the
Co-Chairs initiate a procedure to nominate members of the CGMS VLab Task
Force.
6.4 Upon request, all CGMS members, with the support from VLab CoEs and
other appropriate training institutes will indicate to the Task Force:
-
sources of information and training programmes that could already fill, or are
required to fill gaps in expertise,
-
potential topic experts,
-
their level of support to the development of appropriate training resources to
be used by the scientific trainees. This support could also include inter alia,
the availability of nominated subject experts in a consultation (mentor) role
for trainees and the provision of some support for travel for developing
country trainee scientists, in the situation where the supply of required
information cannot be provided to them in their home country online.
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6.5 VLab Co-chairs to discuss with VLab sponsoring agencies the funding of the
Technical Support Officer (TSO) position from February 2011 onwards.
6.6 WMO to continue dialogue with ISRO regarding the establishment of a CoE
and the co-sponsoring of the CoE in Oman.
6.7 CGMS-38 to comment on reviewed expectations from CoEs, Satellite
operating agencies, WMO-CGMS and the Terms of Reference.
6.8 CGMS-38 to approve the application submitted by KMA as a Centre of
Excellence of the VLab, as summarized in Annex IV.
_______________
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CGMS-37 WMO-WP-18
27 August 2010
Appendix I
Course Topics for the period from May 2009 to June 2010
Name of training event
Date
Multi-Hazard Early Warning
Jun 2009
Assessment of Socio-economic Benefits of
Meteorological and Hydrological Services
Meteorological Information Service
Sep 2009
NCER/DFID project “Using Climate Information in
Ecosystems Services for Poverty Alleviation
Research in China (ESPA)”
Typhoon Committee Roving Seminar
Nov 2009
Agrometeorology
Nov 2009
Applied Meteorology for Forecasters from
Singapore
Applied Meteorology for Forecasters
Dec 2009
Applied Meteorology for Forecasters
Mar-July 2010
Weather Modification
Mar-Apr 2010
Multi-hazard early Warning
May 2010
Meteorological Information Service
June-July 2010
WMO middle meteorological technician course –
MMTC-7
MSG Data Applications – ESAC-EVIII
June 2009
WMO meteorological technician course – AMTC-10
Jan-Dec 2009
WMO meteorological technician course – AMTC-8
Jan-Dec 2009
WMO meteorological technician course – AMTC-9
Jan-Dec 2009
Aeronautical meteorology course for airport
personnel
Diploma in computer studies – DCS-2
Oct-Dec 2009
Table driven codes
Nov-Dec 2009
WMO Tropical Cyclone Lectures
Sep-Oct 2009
Eumetcal Virtual College remote training course
review lecture
Advanced Satellite Meteorology
October 2009
Advanced Tropical Meteorology Lectures
Sep-Oct 2009
Basic Satellite Meteorology
Feb-Mar 2010
Oct-Nov 2009
Nov 2009
Mar-Jun 2010
Aug 2009
Jan-Dec 2009
-1-
Sep-Oct 2009
Location
Nanjing,
China
Nanjing,
China
Nanjing,
China
Nanjing,
China
Nanjing,
China
Nanjing,
China
Nanjing,
China
Nanjing,
China
Nanjing,
China
Nanjing,
China
Nanjing,
China
Nanjing,
China
Nairobi,
Kenya
Nairobi,
Kenya
Nairobi,
Kenya
Nairobi,
Kenya
Nairobi,
Kenya
Nairobi,
Kenya
Nairobi,
Kenya
Nairobi,
Kenya
Melbourne,
Australia
Melbourne,
Australia
Melbourne,
Australia
Melbourne,
Australia
Melbourne,
Number of
Participants
23
20
18
31
14
15
4
4
4
6
24
22
20
22
6
17
6
4
2
44
14
21
21
7
32
CGMS-37 WMO-WP-18
27 August 2010
Name of training event
Date
Location
Number of
Participants
Australia
Advanced Forecaster Course, Satellite
Meteorology Training session.
Melbourne,
Australia
Melbourne,
Australia
Melbourne,
Australia
21
Nov 2009
March 2010
Niamey, Niger
20
Niamey, Niger
18
Nov 2009
Mozambique
20
Nov-Dec 2009
Santa Maria,
Brazil
Cachoeira
Paulista,
Brazil
Cachoeira
Paulista,
Brazil
Cachoeira
Paulista,
Brazil
Buenos Aires,
Argentina
Cordoba,
Argentina
Cordoba,
Argentina
Buenos Aires,
Argentina
Buenos Aires,
Argentina
Pretoria,
South Africa
Pretoria,
South Africa
Pretoria,
South Africa
Pretoria,
South Africa
Pretoria,
South Africa
Pretoria,
South Africa
Pretoria,
South Africa
Pretoria,
South Africa
Moscow,
Russia
Moscow,
Russia
Moscow,
Russia
30
June 2010
June 2010
SATREP Online
Objective Cloud Analysis
June 2010
ESAC-VIIIF course – Satellite Images
ASECNA workshop on use of satellite images for
dust and fog detection
The Use of Satellite Data for Land-Surface
Monitoring
Remote sensing in education
GEONETCast system: delivering environment data
and satellite products
Jun 2009
DevCoCast regional land training workshop
June 2010
GEONETCast system: delivering environment data
and satellite products
Satellite remote sensing applied to the hydrological
balance
May 2010
Mar-June 2009
Introduction to Remote Sensing
Programming and numerical methods oriented to
image processing
Principles and applications of remote sensors
onboard satellites
Satellite remote sensing applied to the hydrological
balance
Aug-Sep 2009
Remote Sensing
May 2009
ASMET 5
Oct 2009
Distance learning tools
Oct 2009
Understanding and interpreting satellite imagery
MSG Derived Products, Aerodrome Warnings and
Model Evaluation
VMC/IMC Conditions and TAF Coding
Feb-May 2010
Nov 2009
Sep-Dec 2009
Mar-June 2010
June 2010
June 2010
MSG RGB interpretation and VMC/IMC Conditions
RADAR cross sections, storm tracking and SUMO
and Danny Rosenfeld software
Information provision of the regional authorities with
prediction and emergency data
June 2010
Organization of aviation meteorological service
Methods of short-term, medium-term and long-term
weather forecasting. Forecaster workstation
Sep 2009
-2-
June 2010
June 2009
Oct 2009
22
23
50
25
50
11
15
15
15
3
11
20
20
10
5
7
9
7
6
19
31
CGMS-37 WMO-WP-18
27 August 2010
Name of training event
Date
Location
Meteorological forecasting for aviation service
Nov 2009
Aviation meteorology.
Large-scale and mezo-scale feature sinoptic of
processes above Eurasia and their influence on
activity of aircraft
Forest ecosystem monitoring
Basics of the Earth’s satellite motion theory
Sep/Nov/Dec
2009
Moscow,
Russia
Russia,
Byelorussia,
Ukraine
May 2009
July 2009
Russia
Russia
**
**
Atmospheric Applications of Satellite Remote
Sensing Systems
The main types of meteorological information
retrieved from meteorological satellites
Interpretation of cloud cover on satellite imagery
Weather conditions diagnostics based on satellite
imagery
Satellite Wildfire Monitoring
July 2009
Russia
**
July 2009
Russia
**
July 2009
July 2009
Russia
Russia
**
**
July 2009
Russia
**
Audio narration to “Dynamic characteristics of the
atmosphere”
Audio narration to “Remote sensing of water
vapour in the atmosphere using satellite
geopositioning systems”
Audio narration to “Dynamics of an ice cover”
July 2009
Russia
**
Jun 2009
Russia
**
Aug 2009
Russia
**
Basics of the Earth’s satellite motion theory
Atmospheric Applications of Satellite Remote
Sensing Systems
The main types of meteorological information
retrieved from meteorological satellites
Interpretation of cloud cover on satellite imagery
Weather conditions diagnostics based on satellite
imagery
Theory of satellite exploration
Technology of integrated satellite data analysis
Satellite Wildfire Monitoring
Sep 2009
Oct 2009
Russia
Russia
**
**
Oct 2009
Russia
**
Oct 2009
Oct 2009
Russia
Russia
**
**
Nov 2009
Nov 2009
Jun 2009
Russia
Russia
Russia
**
**
**
Forest ecosystem monitoring
Nov 2009
Russia
**
Agricultural monitoring using satellite-based
measurements
Desertification
Training course on applications of Fengyun-3 met
satellite data
1st Key post forecasters training course
1st Chief forecasters seminar
09 spring fundamental met course
09 autumn fundamental met course
5th would-be forecasters course
Distance training course on applications of met
satellite data
Training course on applications of Fengyun-3 met
satellite data
International training course on satellite
meteorology
-3-
Number of
Participants
38
155
Russia
**
Dec 2009
Dec 2009
Russia
**
Beijing, PR
China
Beijing, China
Beijing, China
34
Nov 2009
Oct-Nov 2009
Nov-Dec 2009
Beijing, China
Beijing, China
26
53
Beijing, China
33
Beijing, China
2325
Beijing, China
34
Beijing, China
18
Mar-Jun 2009
Oct/09 –
Jan/10
Oct/09 –
Jan/10
Sep – Nov
2009
31
34
April 2010
June 2010
CGMS-37 WMO-WP-18
27 August 2010
Name of training event
Date
Operational Meteorological course
The Sixth Eumetsat satellite Application Course
(ESAC-VI)
RTFS TAOS Hurricane Hazards Model Training
session
RTFS TAOS Hurricane Hazards Model Training
session
Jan-Jun 2010
Use of satellite imagery in analysis and forecasting
Feb-Jul 2010
VISIT Teletraining (Live and recorded)
COMET Modules (English, Spanish and some in
French)
Continuous
* No in formation available.
** Training material available in the VLab website
Feb 2010
Dec 2009
May 2010
Continuous
from the date stated.
Note: Appendix I is based on the information received from CoEs.
-4-
Location
Beijing, China
Muscat,
Oman
Bridgetown,
Barbados
Bridgetown,
Barbados
San José,
Costa Rica
Ft. Collins and
Madison
Boulder, US
Number of
Participants
1000
18
5
10
*
***
*
CGMS-37 WMO-WP-18
27 August 2010
Appendix II
Countries of origin of RFG and course participants*
Country
WMO Region
Argentina
III
Armenia
VI
Australia
V
Bahrain
II
Barbados
IV
Belarus
Benin
I
Brazil
III
Bulgaria
VI
Burkina Faso
I
Byelorussia
Cayman Islands
IV
Central African Republic
I
Chile
III
China
II
Colombia
III
Cook Islands
V
Costa Rica
IV
Cuba
IV
Dominica
IV
Ecuador
III
Egypt
I
Fiji
V
Finland
VI
Germany
VI
Grenada
(not a WMO Member)
Indonesia
V
Iran
II
Iraq
II
Jamaica
IV
Japan
II
Jordan
VI
Kenya
I
Kiribati
V
Kazakhstan
II
Lebanon
VI
Libya
I
Madagascar
I
Malaysia
V
Malawi
I
Maldives
II
-5-
CGMS-37 WMO-WP-18
27 August 2010
Mongolia
II
Morocco
I
Mozambique
I
New Zealand
V
Niger
I
Oman
II
Papua New Guinea
V
Peru
III
Portugal
VI
Qatar
II
Romania
VI
Russia
II
Saint Lucia
IV
Saint Vincent
(not a WMO Member)
Samoa
V
Saudi Arabia
II
Senegal
I
Seychelles
I
Singapore
V
Solomon Islands
V
South Africa
I
Tanzania
Thailand
II
Tonga
V
Ukraine
VI
United States of America
IV
Uruguay
III
Vanuatu
V
Venezuela
III
Zambia
I
* This list is based on the information received from CoEs.
-6-
CGMS-37 WMO-WP-18
27 August 2010
Appendix III
VLab logo
-7-
CGMS-37 WMO-WP-18
27 August 2010
Appendix IV
Application of KMA/NMSC to become a WMO Centre of Excellence in Remote
Sensing Applications and Satellite Meteorology Training
-8-
CGMS-37 WMO-WP-18
27 August 2010
-9-
CGMS-37 WMO-WP-18
27 August 2010
Appendix V
EXPECTATIONS FROM THE CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE, SATELLITE OPERATORS
AND WMO/CGMS:
Expectations from the Centres of Excellence
Whilst recognizing that each “centre of excellence” has different administrative and financials
structures, relationships with the sponsoring satellite operator and links with neighbouring NMHSs, the
VLMG recommended the following:
• Nominate a focal point and an alternate within the CoE as the primary contact for all VL VLab
business. This person should have some authority to make decisions regarding the use of the VL
VLab within the CoE;
• Run international training events that conform with the VL VLab guides for organising and running
training events;
• Develop and run regular (at least monthly) weather discussions (and also possibly discussions
covering other GEO SBA topics) for Regional Focus Groups
• Maintain an up to date list of priority training needs for that region:
o Links to ET-SUP for coordination;
• Develop and maintain proficiency in providing online training using tools such as VISITView;
• Share training resources by submitting the link to the training material to the Environmental Satellite
Resource Center (ESRC), following the guidelines for VLab submissions;
• Maintain regular contact with the other members of the VL VLab Management Group:
o Co-chair responsibility to coordinate sessions;
• Provide the Co-Chairs (or designated people) a brief annual report at the end of August June each
year, relevant to the VL VLab, outlining the training activities for the past 12 months, anticipated
training activities for the next twelve 12 months, priority training needs for the region for the next 12
months and their ability to meet the training needs, and other information they feel is relevant to the
VL VLab:
o Co-chairs responsibilities to report to constituent bodies after receipt of information.
Expectations from the satellite operators
• Nominate a focal point and alternate for VL VLab business. This person should have some authority
to make decisions about VL VLab matters within the satellite operator and some delegation to assist
the CoEs on a case by case basis;
• Make near real-time data, products and/or selected case study data available for education and
training purposes to CoE’s in the correct data formats for use with the agreed VL VLab tool sets;
• Assist the CoE with the regular weather discussions (and also possibly discussions covering other
GEO SBA topics) with the Regional Focus Group
• Maintain regular contact with the CoE(s) that the satellite operator is sponsoring, focusing in
particular, but not solely on communications and data access issues. As appropriate, provide an
alerting role for the CoE(s) on new training resources and material generated within or for the
satellite operator;
• Maintain regular contact with the other VL VLab satellite operators on data access and format issues
and other matters as appropriate;
• Provide the Co-Chairs (or designated people) a brief annual report at the end of August June each
year, relevant to the VL VLab, outlining the activities that the satellite operator has undertaken in the
past 12 months for their sponsored CoE(s) and the VL VLab in general, and plans relevant to the
CoE and the VL VLab for the next 12 months;
• Assist the CoE(s) to overcome resource constraints on VL VLab related matters through advice,
championing with other funding bodies and direct assistance as appropriate.
• Find funding to maintain the continuity of the VLab Technical Support Officer (TSO) position.
Expectations from WMO and CGMS
• Provide long term guidance and advice, and where appropriate, direction regarding global and
regional priorities;
• Represent the VL VLab partners at appropriate policy and resource fora;
• Assist with resource issues.
Appendix VI
- 10 -
CGMS-37 WMO-WP-18
27 August 2010
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR
WMO/CGMS VIRTUAL LABORATORY MANAGEMENT GROUP (VLMG)
The Virtual Laboratory Management Group (VLMG) is responsible for the direction and evolution of the
VL VLab. It reports to the VL VLab Sponsors through the WMO CBS OPAG/IOS/ET-SUP and the
CGMS VL VLab Rapporteur respectively.
The VLMG shall ensure that the following VL VLab Strategic Goals are met:
• To provide high quality and up-to-date training resources on current and future meteorological and
other environmental satellite systems, data, products and applications;
• To foster the use of satellite data and products by conducting classroom and online training
sessions as well as regular weather discussions primarily for NMHS staff on a regional basis;
• To enable the “centres of excellence” to facilitate and foster research and the development on the
use of satellite data for societal benefit applications at the local level by NMHSs and other
organisations through the provision of effective training, resource materials, including links to
relevant CGMS science groups.
The VLMG shall provide an effective Management structure for the VL VLab and shall be
comprised of:
• Two Co-chairs, being one satellite operator and one representative from the “centres of
excellence” ;
• Secretariat from WMO Space Programme Office;
• Representatives from all remaining sponsoring satellite operators and “centres of excellence”;
• VLab Technical Support Officer
Membership may also include:
• Representatives of CGMS science teams as appropriate;
• Other interested parties as deemed appropriate by the Co-Chairs.
One member of the VLMG shall be appointed as Focus Group Coordinator who shall be
responsible for:
• Providing help and advice on the establishment of new Regional Focus Groups;
• Providing help and advice on the activities of established Regional Focus Groups;
• Promoting and facilitating interaction between Regional Focus Groups.
The VLMG shall conduct the following activities:
• Work with the WMO Space Programme and CGMS Satellite Operators to ensure that the VL VLab
Strategic Goals are accomplished;
• Formally review the VL VLab and update the implementation plan every five years the strategy
document when necessary;
• Every year produce an Annual Report related to the Strategic Goals and make recommendations
for consideration by the sponsors;
• Meet at the five-year planning cycle and at least once within the five-year cycle, as appropriate;
Meet every two years and at least four times a year virtually;
(1)
• Recommend VLMG Co-Chairs to the VL VLab Sponsors when appropriate .
• Review, modify and up-date the VLab Strategy Plan
(1)
Selection of Co-Chairs. The selection of Co-Chairs is the responsibility of CGMS, for the satellite
operators, and by the WMO OPAG/IOS/ET-SUP, for the Centres of Excellence. These bodies will
consider proposals for the position of Co-Chairs at their first meeting following the VLMG meeting.
Outgoing Co-Chairs will serve in an ex-officio capacity. The Co-Chairs will not come from the same VL
VLab partnership.
- 11 -
CGMS-37 WMO-WP-18
27 August 2010
Appendix VII
Letter from WMO Space Programme to satellite operators
Direct: Telephone +41-22 730 82 85, Telefax +41-22 730 80 21, E-mail BRyan@wmo.int
Our ref.:
10229-10/OBS/SAT/VL
Annex:
1
GENEVA, 5 July 2010
Subject:
Virtual Laboratory Technical Support Officer (TSO)
Action required:
2011 Funding Request for TSO
Dear Colleagues,
I am writing to you, on behalf of the Virtual Laboratory Management Group to
seek your support of, and funding in 2011 and beyond for the position of the Virtual
Laboratory (VLab) Technical Support Officer (TSO). The appointment of the TSO which was
unanimously recommended by the Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites (CGMS)
was funded by Brazil (INPE) in 2009 and the United States (NOAA) in 2010. In accordance
with the funding scheme agreed by CGMS, we are, therefore, seeking funding support from
other satellite operators for the years to come.
The TSO position, in a very short time, has been vital to help broaden and
achieve global coordination of the VLab training activities. Both the attached activity report
presented at the WMO Expert Team on Satellite Utilization and Products (ET-SUP) meeting
in March 2010, and the VLab newsletter found at: http://vlab.wmo.int speak to VLab
achievements of, or enhanced by, the TSO.
At the present time the VLab is a collaboration of several meteorological satellite
operators (CMA, CONAE, EUMETSAT, INPE, JMA, NOAA/NESDIS and ROSHYDROMET)
and eleven Centres of Excellence (CoEs). These CoEs, often co-located with WMO Regional
Training Centres (RTCs), are located in Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Brazil, China, Costa
Rica, Kenya, Niger, Oman, Russian Federation and South Africa. Each CoE is responsible
for satellite training within its WMO Region, and for supporting one or more Regional Focus
Groups (RFGs) which conduct regular online training sessions and weather briefings relating
to the various uses of satellite products and supporting data accessed within their regions.
- 12 -
CGMS-37 WMO-WP-18
27 August 2010
In 2009 and 2010, INPE and NOAA provided salary, as well as standard benefits
(social security and healthcare) for the TSO, and EUMETSAT provided travel support. In
carrying out his/her duties, the TSO is also expected to spend some time with the various
satellite operators and CoEs whom he/she is supporting. Travel costs and per diem
associated with these visits are borne by the parties who are visited by the TSO. In 2011, we
anticipate salary and benefits to be on the order of USD 60,000. We also encourage those
CoEs who have not yet been visited by the TSO to fund such a trip.
Together with the VLab Co-chairs, I look forward to your positive response to this
request. We firmly believe that the appointment of the TSO has been a major milestone in
the evolution of the VLab, and will therefore continue to greatly enhance the scope and
effectiveness of training in satellite meteorology worldwide.
Please feel free to contact me (BRyan@wmo.int) or Jerome Lafeuille
(JLafeuille@wmo.int) with any questions, comments, or suggestions for improving this
process.
Yours sincerely,
(B.J. Ryan)
Director
WMO Space Programme Office
To: Mr Gary Davis, NOAA/NESDIS
Dr Valerij N. Dyadyuchenko, Russian Federal Service for
Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring,
Russian Federation
Mr Takuyuki Kawazu, JMA
Dr Lars Prahm, EUMETSAT
Dr Conrado F. Varotto, CONAE
Mr Sergey Vladimirov, ROSCOSMOS
Dr Yang Jun, NSMC, CMA
cc: Ms Kathy-Ann Caesar, CIMH
Dr Volker Gaertner, EUMETSAT
Dr Shahid Habib, NASA
Mr Makoto Kajii, JAXA
Mr Luo Dongfeng, NSMC, CMA
Mr Luiz Augusto Toledo Machado, CPTEC, INPE
Mr Daniel Muller, NOAA/NESDIS
Dr Evangelina Oriol-Pibernat, ESA
Dr Alexander Postnov, Russian Federal Service for
Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring
Dr Alfred Powell, NOAA/NESDIS
Dr Ae-Sook Suh, KMA
Mr Yukito Tanaka, MSC, JMA
Dr Pascale Ultré-Guérard, CNES
Ms Anne Taube, EUMETSAT
Dr Ajit Tyagi, Permanent Representative of India with WMO
- 13 -
)
)
)
)
)
)
) (for information)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)