Though the latest outbreak in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) made tons of environmental data and technologies affordable and easily available for wide scientific and managerial communities, utilizing this great potential is still hindered by a number of factors. Some of the major obstacles are traditional prejudices and fear of technologies among practitioners and researchers in non-computer fields. The course aims at assisting researchers and practitioners in various environmental domains to learn about the potential application of latest information and communication technologies in practical environmental management and studies. The Course consists of two parallel streams: 1. Making Information Talk and Technologies WorkThis stream is focused on the variety of ICT applications in water management and water security. A wide range of the applications will be covered including distance learning, satellite imagery, geospatial technologies, decision-support and other tools. The primary target groups are decision- and policy-makers in national and international environmental organizations. 2. Spatial Planning and Environmental Assessment for Decision Making in EuropeThis stream aims at facilitating integration of researchers from the EU neighbors into the European research scene on ICT and spatial planning in environmental management and decision-making. The course's target group includes PhDs and early-stage researchers from the EU and EU-neighborhood. The practical sessions for both streams will be based on open source software packages and free data repositories. The course is carried out as a preparatory activity for the Eye on Earth Summit 2014.

Period
07-07-2014 - 11-07-2014 (1 weeks)

Target group
Target groupApplications are invited from PhD students and early-stage PostDocs from the EU and EU-neighborhood as well as from researchers and practitioners in various environmental domains. Undergraduates without a university degree in the field will not be considered.Pre-requisitesVarying by streams:Advanced computer user skills;Previous exposure to independent and EU-funded cooperative research is desirable;Proven experience in applying spatial planning and modeling for environmental management and decision-makingLanguage requirementThe language of instruction is English, thus all applicants have to demonstrate a strong command of spoken and written English to be able to participate actively in discussions at seminars and workshops.

Course aim
The course aims at assisting researchers and practitioners in various environmental domains to learn about the potential application of latest information and communication technologies in practical environmental management and studies.



Credits
1.0 ECTS creditsOur courses offer ECTS points, which may be accepted for credit transfer by the participants' home universities. Those who wish to obtain these credits should inquire about the possible transfer at their home institution prior to their enrollment. The Summer University Office will send a transcript to those who have fulfilled all the necessary course requirements and request one.

Course fee
EUR 300[Convert to USD]payable until May 28, 2014EUR 270[Convert to USD]Early bird fee is payable until April 30, 2014

Course leader
Course Director: Viktor Lagutov, Systems Laboratory, Central European University, Budapest, HungaryCourse Faculty: Ed Parsons, Google, London, UKMahesh PradhanUnited Nations Environmental Program, Nairobi, KenyaNicolas Ray, University of Gen

Scholarships
A limited number of partial scholarships for selected countries will be available.

Central European University Summer University
Address: 1051 Budapest, Nador Street 9, Hungary
Postal code: 1012
City: Budapest
Country: Hungary
Website: http://www.summeruniversity.ceu.hu/
E-mail: summeru@ceu.hu
Phone: 00-36-1-327-3811