VIRTUAL LABORATORY AND RELATED MATTERS In response to CGMS action 37.12

Transcription

1 Prepared by WMO Agenda tem: H1 Discussed in Plenary VRTUAL LABORATORY AND RELATED MATTERS n response to CGMS action The paper reports on training activities within the Virtual Laboratory for Education and Training in Satellite Meteorology (VLab) along with future plans and directions. mportant 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 SRO 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 V. 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

2 VRTUAL LABORATORY AND RELATED MATTERS 1 NTRODUCTON This report briefly describes the latest activities / achievements of the Virtual Laboratory for Education and Training in Satellite Meteorology (VLab) since September 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. n 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 PEROD 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 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. Course languages included English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic and Chinese

3 The number of participants attending the courses during the reporting period was about 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. 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 VST Teletraining and COMET modules. nternet 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 ACTVTES N THE VRTUAL LABORATORY SNCE CGMS-37 n 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 July 2010 in Beijing The VLMG-5 meeting took place from 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. n 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. t 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

4 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 magery and Hyper-spectral magery. 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 magery. 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. t 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 The workshop topic was Use of new distance learning techniques and tools. The workshop was intended for ASECNA CELCA 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 CELCA 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 VSTView course, the use of Moodle and Centra platforms. At the end of the workshop, each participant was capable of installing and configuring VSTView, Moodle and Centra platforms for distance training

5 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. t 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 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 VSTView and Moodle. This regional online course includes three WMO Regions ( Africa, South America and V 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. t 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, - 5 -

6 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 NPE / CPTEC. 3.5 Finalised VLab logo n 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. 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, NPE, EUMETSAT, CRA, 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. n 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

7 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. t 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. t 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 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 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 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 V. The participation of KMA as a member in the network of the VLab will be confirmed after approval by CBS and CGMS

8 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 VLMG- 2. Through open discussion the ToR were amended and a modified version agreed. The revised Terms of Reference are attached as Appendix V The VLab has a new Co-Chair Luiz Machado was released from his duty as former VLab Co-Chair at the last ET- SUP meeting in March 2010 in Geneva. Kathy-Ann Caesar from The Caribbean nstitute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CMH), 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 CMH since 2000 and first became involved in the VLab in 2003 when the online VSTView 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 nitial 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

9 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/NPE. ODE 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. t is planned to repeat dust events week in March / April 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. SRO confirmed informally their commitment to co-sponsor the CoE in Oman (and to establish a CoE in ndia) at VLGM-4. Dialogue needs to be pursued with SRO to implement this sponsorship

10 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 ET- SUP-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 n response to action a letter has been sent by WMO Space Programme to all satellite operators on 5 July to ask for funding (see Annex V). 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

11 5 WDENNG THE SCOPE OF THE VL TO SERVE TRANNG NEEDS OF EMERGNG SCENTFC COMMUNTES N DEVELOPNG COUNTRES 5.1 Background t 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. n 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. t 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 nternet, could play the role of local mentors. As examples, NASA has developed and supported a series of training workshops, initially primarily focused on MODS atmosphere products, and geared towards graduate students, undergraduates and researchers new to remote sensing in Brazil, ndia, srael, 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. n 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 mplementation 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. t 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). t 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. ndeed, the active involvement of CGMS R&D satellite operators within the framework of the VLab will

12 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, t 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. t 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

13 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. t is well known that several R&D satellite operators already have considerable amounts of sophisticated training resources, often freely available via their web sites. n 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 CONCLUSON AND PROPOSED ACTONS 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

14 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 SRO 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 V

15 CGMS-37 WMO-WP-18 Appendix Course Topics for the period from May 2009 to June 2010 Name of training event Date Location Number of Participants Multi-Hazard Early Warning Jun 2009 Nanjing, 23 China Assessment of Socio-economic Benefits of Sep 2009 Nanjing, 20 Meteorological and Hydrological Services China Meteorological nformation Service Oct-Nov 2009 Nanjing, 18 China NCER/DFD project Using Climate nformation in Nov 2009 Nanjing, 31 Ecosystems Services for Poverty Alleviation Research in China (ESPA) China Typhoon Committee Roving Seminar Nov 2009 Nanjing, 14 China Agrometeorology Nov 2009 Nanjing, 15 China Applied Meteorology for Forecasters from Dec 2009 Nanjing, 4 Singapore China Applied Meteorology for Forecasters Mar-Jun 2010 Nanjing, 4 China Applied Meteorology for Forecasters Mar-July 2010 Nanjing, 4 China Weather Modification Mar-Apr 2010 Nanjing, 6 China Multi-hazard early Warning May 2010 Nanjing, 24 China Meteorological nformation Service June-July 2010 Nanjing, 22 China WMO middle meteorological technician course June 2009 Nairobi, 20 MMTC-7 Kenya MSG Data Applications ESAC-EV Aug 2009 Nairobi, 22 Kenya WMO meteorological technician course AMTC-10 Jan-Dec 2009 Nairobi, 6 Kenya WMO meteorological technician course AMTC-8 Jan-Dec 2009 Nairobi, 17 Kenya WMO meteorological technician course AMTC-9 Jan-Dec 2009 Nairobi, 6 Kenya Aeronautical meteorology course for airport Oct-Dec 2009 Nairobi, 4 personnel Kenya Diploma in computer studies DCS-2 Jan-Dec 2009 Nairobi, 2 Kenya Table driven codes Nov-Dec 2009 Nairobi, 44 Kenya WMO Tropical Cyclone Lectures Sep-Oct 2009 Melbourne, 14 Australia Eumetcal Virtual College remote training course October 2009 Melbourne, 21 review lecture Australia Advanced Satellite Meteorology Sep-Oct 2009 Melbourne, 21 Australia Advanced Tropical Meteorology Lectures Sep-Oct 2009 Melbourne, 7 Australia Basic Satellite Meteorology Feb-Mar 2010 Melbourne,

16 CGMS-37 WMO-WP-18 Name of training event Date Location Number of Participants Australia Advanced Forecaster Course, Satellite Meteorology Training session. June 2010 Melbourne, Australia June 2010 Melbourne, SATREP Online Australia Objective Cloud Analysis June 2010 Melbourne, Australia ESAC-VF course Satellite mages Nov 2009 Niamey, Niger 20 ASECNA workshop on use of satellite images for March 2010 Niamey, Niger 18 dust and fog detection The Use of Satellite Data for Land-Surface Nov 2009 Mozambique 20 Monitoring Remote sensing in education Nov-Dec 2009 Santa Maria, 30 Brazil GEONETCast system: delivering environment data Cachoeira 50 and satellite products Paulista, Jun 2009 Brazil Cachoeira 25 DevCoCast regional land training workshop June 2010 Paulista, Brazil Cachoeira 50 GEONETCast system: delivering environment data and satellite products May 2010 Paulista, Brazil Satellite remote sensing applied to the hydrological Buenos Aires, 11 balance Mar-June 2009 Argentina Cordoba, 15 ntroduction to Remote Sensing Aug-Sep 2009 Argentina Programming and numerical methods oriented to Cordoba, 15 image processing Nov 2009 Argentina Principles and applications of remote sensors Buenos Aires, 15 onboard satellites Sep-Dec 2009 Satellite remote sensing applied to the hydrological balance Mar-June 2010 Remote Sensing May 2009 ASMET 5 Oct 2009 Distance learning tools Oct 2009 Understanding and interpreting satellite imagery Feb-May 2010 MSG Derived Products, Aerodrome Warnings and Model Evaluation June 2010 VMC/MC Conditions and TAF Coding June 2010 MSG RGB interpretation and VMC/MC Conditions June 2010 RADAR cross sections, storm tracking and SUMO and Danny Rosenfeld software June 2010 nformation provision of the regional authorities with prediction and emergency data June 2009 Organization of aviation meteorological service Sep 2009 Methods of short-term, medium-term and long-term weather forecasting. Forecaster workstation Oct 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

17 CGMS-37 WMO-WP-18 Name of training event Date Location Number of Participants Meteorological forecasting for aviation service Nov 2009 Moscow, 38 Russia Aviation meteorology. Sep/Nov/Dec Russia, 155 Large-scale and mezo-scale feature sinoptic of processes above Eurasia and their influence on activity of aircraft 2009 Byelorussia, Ukraine Forest ecosystem monitoring May 2009 Russia ** Basics of the Earth s satellite motion theory July 2009 Russia ** Atmospheric Applications of Satellite Remote July 2009 Russia ** Sensing Systems The main types of meteorological information July 2009 Russia ** retrieved from meteorological satellites nterpretation of cloud cover on satellite imagery July 2009 Russia ** Weather conditions diagnostics based on satellite July 2009 Russia ** imagery Satellite Wildfire Monitoring July 2009 Russia ** Audio narration to Dynamic characteristics of the July 2009 Russia ** atmosphere Audio narration to Remote sensing of water Jun 2009 Russia ** vapour in the atmosphere using satellite geopositioning systems Audio narration to Dynamics of an ice cover Aug 2009 Russia ** Basics of the Earth s satellite motion theory Sep 2009 Russia ** Atmospheric Applications of Satellite Remote Oct 2009 Russia ** Sensing Systems The main types of meteorological information Oct 2009 Russia ** retrieved from meteorological satellites nterpretation of cloud cover on satellite imagery Oct 2009 Russia ** Weather conditions diagnostics based on satellite Oct 2009 Russia ** imagery Theory of satellite exploration Nov 2009 Russia ** Technology of integrated satellite data analysis Nov 2009 Russia ** Satellite Wildfire Monitoring Jun 2009 Russia ** Forest ecosystem monitoring Nov 2009 Russia ** Agricultural monitoring using satellite-based Russia ** measurements Dec 2009 Desertification Dec 2009 Russia ** Training course on applications of Fengyun-3 met Beijing, PR 34 satellite data Nov 2009 China 1st Key post forecasters training course Oct-Nov 2009 Beijing, China 31 1st Chief forecasters seminar Nov-Dec 2009 Beijing, China spring fundamental met course Mar-Jun 2009 Beijing, China 26 Oct/09 Beijing, China autumn fundamental met course Jan/10 Oct/09 Beijing, China 33 5th would-be forecasters course Jan/10 Distance training course on applications of met Sep Nov Beijing, China 2325 satellite data 2009 Training course on applications of Fengyun-3 met Beijing, China 34 satellite data April 2010 nternational training course on satellite meteorology June 2010 Beijing, China

18 CGMS-37 WMO-WP-18 Name of training event Date Location Number of Participants Operational Meteorological course Jan-Jun 2010 Beijing, China 1000 The Sixth Eumetsat satellite Application Course Muscat, 18 (ESAC-V) Feb 2010 Oman RTFS TAOS Hurricane Hazards Model Training Bridgetown, 5 session Dec 2009 RTFS TAOS Hurricane Hazards Model Training session May 2010 Use of satellite imagery in analysis and forecasting Feb-Jul 2010 VST Teletraining (Live and recorded) COMET Modules (English, Spanish and some in French) Continuous Continuous Barbados Bridgetown, 10 Barbados San José, * Costa Rica Ft. Collins and *** Madison Boulder, US * * No information available. ** Training material available in the VLab website from the date stated. Note: Appendix is based on the information received from CoEs

19 CGMS-37 WMO-WP-18 Appendix Countries of origin of RFG and course participants* Country Argentina Armenia Australia Bahrain Barbados Belarus Benin Brazil Bulgaria Burkina Faso Byelorussia Cayman slands Central African Republic Chile China Colombia Cook slands Costa Rica Cuba Dominica Ecuador Egypt Fiji Finland Germany Grenada ndonesia ran raq Jamaica Japan Jordan Kenya Kiribati Kazakhstan Lebanon Libya Madagascar Malaysia Malawi Maldives WMO Region V V V V V V V V V V V V (not a WMO Member) V V V V V V - 5 -

20 CGMS-37 WMO-WP-18 Mongolia Morocco Mozambique New Zealand Niger Oman Papua New Guinea Peru Portugal Qatar Romania Russia Saint Lucia Saint Vincent Samoa Saudi Arabia Senegal Seychelles Singapore Solomon slands South Africa Tanzania Thailand Tonga Ukraine United States of America Uruguay Vanuatu Venezuela Zambia V V V V V (not a WMO Member) V V V V V V V * This list is based on the information received from CoEs

21 CGMS-37 WMO-WP-18 Appendix VLab logo - 7 -

22 CGMS-37 WMO-WP-18 Appendix V Application of KMA/NMSC to become a WMO Centre of Excellence in Remote Sensing Applications and Satellite Meteorology Training - 8 -

23 - 9 - CGMS-37 WMO-WP-18

24 CGMS-37 WMO-WP-18 Appendix V EXPECTATONS FROM THE CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE, SATELLTE 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 VSTView; 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 V

25 CGMS-37 WMO-WP-18 TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR WMO/CGMS VRTUAL LABORATORY MANAGEMENT GROUP (VLMG) The Virtual Laboratory Management Group (VLMG) is responsible for the direction and evolution of the VL VLab. t reports to the VL VLab Sponsors through the WMO CBS OPAG/OS/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; Recommend VLMG Co-Chairs to the VL VLab Sponsors when appropriate (1). 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/OS/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

26 CGMS-37 WMO-WP-18 Appendix V Letter from WMO Space Programme to satellite operators Direct: Telephone , Telefax , BRyan@wmo.int Our ref.: /OBS/SAT/VL GENEVA, 5 July 2010 Annex: 1 Subject: Action required: Virtual Laboratory Technical Support Officer (TSO) 2011 Funding Request for TSO Dear Colleagues, 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 (NPE) in 2009 and the United States (NOAA) in n 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: 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, NPE, JMA, NOAA/NESDS 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