On October 3-4, 2024, the Czech Embassy in Zambia, in partnership with Mendel University in Brno, hosted a two-day event at the University of Zambia (UNZA) focused on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing. The event featured a presentation of Czech solutions and a hands-on workshop, providing local students, academics, and officials with practical experience in using these technologies.

Experts From Czech Mendel University Jana Tulková, Zdeněk Patočka, and Elizaveta Avoiani led the workshop, demonstrating the use of drones for campus mapping and data analysis through GIS software. These technologies have a wide range of applications, from environmental monitoring to urban planning and agriculture. To support continued learning, two drones were donated to UNZA’s Department of Natural Resource Management, where they will be used in future research and training.

This event is part of the Czechia´s broader engagement in Zambia through development aid, which includes projects related to sustainable agriculture, forestry, and management of natural resources. The introduction of GIS solutions complements other Czech Aid efforts, such as the Sustainable Landscape through Integrated Management (SLIM) project falls under the European Green Nexus Programme and forestry as Forest Partnership between the European Union and Zambia, which focus on improving the country’s capacity for sustainable development and green growth.

A networking dinner rounded off the event, allowing participants from both countries to exchange ideas and explore opportunities for further cooperation. The Czech Embassy’s ongoing involvement underscores the practical benefits of knowledge exchange and partnership.