Delta State University became the 23rd member of the network of UN-SPIDER Regional Support Offices (RSO) on 1 October. As an RSO, Delta State University will communicate and coordinate with UN-SPIDER on a regular basis, engage in outreach and capacity-building efforts, and contribute to the programme’s technical advisory support activities.
Through its Geospatial Information Technologies Centre (GIT), Delta State University provides in-depth education about the theory, ethics, and practice of GIT that encompasses the use of geographic information systems, remote sensing, global positioning systems (GPS), spatial analysis techniques, and similar approaches to understand problems from a geographic perspective.
Mr. Talbot Brooks, Director of the Geospatial Information Technologies Centre (GIT) at Delta State University, has contributed to UN-SPIDER in technical advisory support activities programmes in several countries. He has also organized technical visits of disaster management officials from countries supported by UN-SPIDER to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and provided experts to contribute to UN-SPIDER programmes.
UNOOSA Director Simonetta Di Pippo said: "At UNOOSA, we are proud of this partnership, which is the result of a long-standing collaboration with Delta State University GIT. Delta State University and UNOOSA are both committed to providing accessible education and training on geospatial services technologies and leveraging them for supporting disaster management. Delta State University is an important addition to UN-SPIDER's network of RSOs and adds a North-American location to our existing coverage".
UN-SPIDER Regional Support Offices (RSO) are regional or national center of excellence in the use of space technology in disaster management which support the implementation of UN-SPIDER activities in their region of operation. An RSO can be hosted by a space agency, a research center, a university, or a disaster management institution, among others.
