[OSGeo Africa] Introduction to GIS & Remote Sensing short courses

[Uazukuani]

I agree with Paulo. There was recent advert in Namibia for a temporary job
that required that applicants provide their own GIS software.
Upon inquiry, the contact person from the ministry stated that they had no
problem with applicants using QGIS or any suitable FOSS GIS application.

The problem however is that most graduates are taught using proprietary
software which they only can access in the computer labs at university.
They either have to learn QGIS fast or invest a few thousands in software
license to get this temporary gig.
This is an unnecessary (artificial) barrier for many graduates to entering
the job market. Especially so here in Afrika.

Best,
Uazu


On Mon, Aug 11, 2014 at 9:07 AM, Chris Berens <chris at mapland.co.za> wrote:

> Hi Gretha,
>
> I am with Paolo and Frank on this, when the freebie dries up the
> chances of students engaging with the software on an ongoing basis are
> low.  People move, being able to take your tools with you is key to
> personal growth.
> We've had this discussion some time back and are led by GITOC's 2007
> findings in that "FOSS/OC contribute in meaningful ways to economic
> development generally, and directly support South African economic
> development priorities in particular" - PDF here;
>
> http://www.gissa.org.za/special-interest-groups/open-source/foss-documents/policy-on-free-and-open-source-software-use-for-south-african-government/at_download/file
>
> Regards,
> Chris Berens
>
> On 11 August 2014 09:48, Paolo Cavallini <cavallini at faunalia.it> wrote:
> > Il 11/08/2014 09:39, Gretha <gretha_g at sun.ac.za> ha scritto:
> >
> >> Thanks! And yes we definitely want to go Open Source at some point
> (when there is time...), or at least include sections in which we use open
> source software. I'm also interested in converting these courses to on-line
> or distance learning courses at some point, and then open source would make
> sense.
> >> In the meantime it is worth noting that ESRI gives us a great deal
> where enrolled students qualify to buy a student licence at a minimal fee
> and get the entire suite for a year - difficult to refuse!
> >
> > Sorry if I'm rude, but I find this approach short sighted.
> > With Open Source you effectively empower students, giving them powerful
> tools they
> > can work with for free, improve, and master for their and their future
> customers use.
> > All the best.
> >
> > --
> > Paolo Cavallini - www.faunalia.eu
> > Corsi QGIS e PostGIS: http://www.faunalia.eu/training.html
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