TSPC News

Anipa Almazbek kyzy: feedback on Summer School in Budapest

September 11, 2023

#TSPC

I am incredibly grateful for the fantastic opportunity to deepen my knowledge of satellite imagery, SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), and valuable tools like QGIS and GEE (Google Earth Engine). The course was intense, and it inspired all of us with thought-provoking ideas. Participants already had some understanding of these areas, but we had different levels of expertise. For instance, I was more familiar with Google Earth Engine coding platform (GEE) and could assist other students, while some excelled in QGIS. Despite being one of the youngest attendees, the summer school provided an amazing experience of knowledge exchange, networking, and fun exploration of Budapest.          

During summer school, we had engaging discussions with panelists like Mariangela Cataldo and Carolina Starr. I was particularly amazed by their insights and had the chance to talk to Ms. Carolina about potential future collaborations with our university along with our Prof. Kanat. I also discussed a project about Kyrgyzstan's pastures with Ms. Mariangela. I am inspired to focus on resilience and disaster management, which I plan to integrate into my Urban Planning and Design major. I aim to monitor cities' resilience to disasters and make them more sustainable.

Throughout the program, we raised important questions about resilience, data validity, accessibility, etc. I was struck by the idea of simplifying access to valid satellite data without the need for complex coding on Google Eearth Engine. I aspire to contribute to our country's satellite observatory, which often depends on government funding, particularly for high-resolution data. Due to satellite launch dates, we may lack data before 2015 and 2013, but I'm eager to support future observations.

The timing of the summer school was perfect, allowing us to enjoy summer Budapest. We visited remarkable sites like Buda Hill, the central church, bridges, and the delusion gallery, and even had a memorable boat trip with an exclusive dinner and breathtaking city views. Our head of department treated us to a delightful dinner at a fancy restaurant and generously covered all the site visit expenses. I am incredibly grateful for the summer school program, hotel reservations, and stipend that helped cover our flying expenditures.

The summer school brought together friends and partners worldwide and allowed us to learn from distinguished professors coming from Google, UN, and other renowned institutions. The experience was truly inspiring, and I plan to utilize the knowledge gained in my future endeavors in satellite imagery, resilience, and disaster management. I eagerly look forward to future collaborations and networking opportunities that can further enrich my journey in this field.

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