Together with FutureWater we trained water professionals in Myanmar from both universities and governmental organisations in the period from 2018 to 2020 (these trainings were performed before the military coup in Myanmar of 2021). The trainings focused on water resources management and climate-smart agriculture using satellite data, with specific attention on the principles and applicability of Nature Based Solutions. The participants of the training consisted of staff from three universities (Yangon Technological University, Myanmar Maritime University and Mandalay University) as well as governmental staff from the River Authority and the Meteorological Institute
The training itself followed ‘learning-by-doing’ principles. Most of the training time was spent by the participants working on hands-on exercises and case study material, with support from the trainers. The assignments required working in groups with representatives of different organisations. Brief presentations were provided on the relevant topics for that day. The training was structured in six workpackages: Introduction to Google Earth Engine, Applications for Integrated Water Resources Management, Applications for River Morphology and Nature Based Solutions, Applications for agriculture, Individual assignment and a Symposium. These trainings were commissioned by the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs via the Orange Knowledge Programma* with NUFFIC as a programme manager.