• Advanced GIS in Watershed Management (May 17 - 28)
• Caravan Type (Sri Lanka) – Remote Sensing & Geographic Information System (Mapping from Space) (Jun. 21 - 25)
• Caravan Type (Bangladesh) – Remote Sensing & Geographic Information System (Disaster Mitigation, Flood) (Jul. 20-24)
• Microwave Remote Sensing and Application of SAR Data (Aug. 16 - 27)
• Advanced GIS in Coastal Zone Monitoring and Management (Oct. 11 - 22).

The objectives of these courses are as follows;

• To provide the trainees from Asia and Pacific with advanced GIS with a focus on the integration with Japanese satellite data such as JERS-1 OPS and ADEOS AVNIR in the operational applications.
• To provide application techniques of JERS-1 SAR data recognizing that SAR data are supplementary to optical data when there is cloud cover and when there is only one data source, particularly in the rainy and flood seasons.
• To maximize the efficiency of training by providing application techniques in remote sensing and GIS in local and/or regional aspects to encourage technical transfer.

Regional Seminar on Earth Observation for Tropical Eco-system Management
This seminar has been conducted by NASDA and UNESCAP since 1992 in cooperation with Earth Science and Technology Organization of Japan (ESTO) and RESTEC. The main objective of this seminar is to share our experience and knowledge on remote sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) applications for sustainable ecosystem management in the Asia-Pacific region. Participants are decision-makers, planners and technical users from Asian and Pacific region (53-125 persons, 12-22 countries). The content includes the seminar on the application of RS and GIS for tropical ecosystem management(two days), field trip survey for understanding of tropical ecosystem dynamics (one day), computer hands-on training on digital image analysis for RS and GIS (two days). This seminar has been held in seven different countries of the Asian and Pacific region: Thailand in 1992, Malaysia in 1993, Indonesia in 1994, Philippines in 1995, Fiji in 1996, Vietnam in 1997 and Bangladesh in 1998. The eighth Regional Seminar on Earth Observation for Tropical Eco-system Management is scheduled to take place at Yangon, Myanmar from 25 to 29 October 1999.

JICA’s Training Course on Remote Sensing Technology
This Training Course has been conducted by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) since 1977 at Japan in cooperation with RESTEC. The curriculum includes lectures on several aspects of remote sensing, practice of data processing and analysis, using digital image analysis systems, and facility tours. There are two kind of courses. One is Fundamental course, another is Advanced course.

Fundamental Course
The purpose of this course is to transfer fundamental knowledge and technology on satellite remote sensing, mainly focused on digital analysis to researchers and engineers from developing countries. The duration is 2 months. Participants are 8-13 persons.

Advanced Course
The purpose of this course is to introduce application technologies and advanced digital processing technologies covering remote sensing data. The duration is 1 month. Participants are 5-7 persons.

Conclusion
In cooperation with the related organizations, NASDA has successfully organized several seminars and training programs and produced meaningful fruits to develop capabilities in this region. NASDA will continue this kind of effort.