Geographic Information Systems Training with Balik-Scientist Alejandro Tongco
After Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) applied in July 2013 to host a “balik-scientist” specializing in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) under the Department of Science and Technology Balik Scientist Program, Balik-Scientist Dr. Alejandro Tongco, an expert in GIS based in Oklahoma State University, arrived in SLSU on May 12, 2014 for a one month service that would cover training and coaching on GIS applications.
The “GIS Techniques and Preparation of GIS-Engaged Proposals,” a weeklong training held on May 21-25, was an effort to elevate the quality of the university’s researches through the application of GIS. “GIS can greatly add value to research. Any research that has a locational component can be enhanced by GIS. GIS-engaged researches presented in conferences speak of the university’s involvement in emergent technologies such as GIS,” said Tongco at the training, noting the increasing adoption of GIS by top universities. “GIS leverages spatial or geographic data to make informed decisions. It’s a powerful tool because management decisions are based on actual data about people, places, things and events. Guesses are minimized, producing a stronger argument for derived decisions,” said Tongco.
Close to fifty participants from SLSU’s five campuses attended the training and got divided into groups with assigned topics ranging from risk and disaster management, community extension work, ecological research, and asset management. Groups were required to come up with a GIS-engaged proposal.
“What fascinates me is that I was able to learn the basics of GIS through the series of trainings, but one thing I now realize is that when you go into GIS, you have to practice it. Like practicing just about any other computer program,” said Engr. Joel Guasa, SLSU-Sogod’s planning officer who was a participant of the training.
“What impressed me was that GIS can be used by the university in a general way; it helps in giving footprints of buildings, equipment and fixtures; with GIS, it can be very easy for everyone to retrieve the data,” said Guasa whose group was assigned to come up with a proposal on university assets management.
“I call it the ‘thing of the future’. As an engineer, I can tell you it helps a lot in our physical development, especially in our land use management. And it’s not only that, there are so many applications,” said Guasa.
“GIS-based campus management can save the university thousands of money in terms of improved management processes and saved resources,” said Tongco, referring to the use of GIS in asset management.
Tongco’s lecture included discussions of GIS applications in nearly all fields, in speaking at the training before an audience with backgrounds in the technical and social sciences. “Developed countries are way ahead in the depth of use of GIS because of the high demand for GIS-skilled graduates. It’s thus imperative that SLSU build its GIS capacity in administration and course offerings. If SLSU just stands idly by, it will be left behind in emergent-technology adoption.”
“Integration of GIS subjects in the curriculum and inclusion of GIS topics in existing subjects would be necessary, and continued professional development of faculty and staff in GIS through trainings, conferences, and regular professional lectures. Most importantly, is the moral and budgetary support from SLSU ExeCom,” said Tongco.
SLSU was the first university to host Tongco among four universities that Tongco visited under the Balik Scientist Program.
Dr. Tongco grew up as a yong boy in San Ricardo, Southern Leyte and spent his youth in Gabas, Baybay, Leyte. He went on to earn a doctorate degree in General Engineering from Oklahoma State University.
In 2009, Tongco founded the Philippine GIS Data Clearinghouse (www.philgis.org), a non-profit website he maintains with personal funds, to provide free GIS data on the Philippines "to encourage GIS users and change-movers to actively participate in the country’s economic and development efforts."
Computers bristle in the five day training at the Main Campus’ Student Center Plenary Hall.
The demand for GIS in both technical and social sciences made GIS an enrollment magnet in many universities in the US, according to Tongco.
Dr. Tongco takes questions and offers demonstrations during workshop time.
A staff from the Management Information System office receives his certificate at the closing ceremony of the training-workshop. (L-R): Vice President for Administration and Finance Valerio Cabalo, SLSU President Gloria Reyes, GIS expert Alejandro Tongco.
Faculty and staff hand tokens to Tongco at the closing program on June 11, 2014.
Tongco in discussions with provincial government officials at Maasin City early in June 2014, to promote the use of GIS in government data collection and analysis.