1. VIRTUAL LABORATORY MANAGEMENT GROUP SIXTH MEETING – VLMG-6 São José dos Campos, Brazil – 8 to 11 October 2012 Presented by Stella Aura, MBS Centre of Excellence - Nairobi IMTR/WMO-RTC P.O Box 30259, 00100 NAIROBI Tel: +254-20-3873137; Fax: +254-20-3876955 Email: aura@meteo.go.ke; www.meteo.go.ke/imtraura@meteo.go.ke

2. V ISION AND M ISSION The vision To become a world class centre of excellence in training and research as well as offer consultancy services in meteorology, hydrology and related geo-sciences. The mission To Provide quality education and training to develop skills of personnel in Meteorology, Hydrology and related geo-sciences in Anglophone Africa and beyond as well as carry out research in the same fields to contribute towards sustainable socio-economic development. October 2012 2 Centre of Excellence, Nairobi

3. A CHIEVEMENTS  Various courses and workshops were held during the period under review.  Trained one Instructor on Delivery of On-line courses.  Utilized Computer Aided Learning and MOODLE in delivery of EUMETSAT satellite Applications Course.  Procured a server; Currently in the process of establishing a Virtual Library where all training materials will be uploaded. October 2012 3 Centre of Excellence, Nairobi

4. S TRENGTHS  Well trained and dedicated staff.  Status as WMO Regional Training Centre.  Status as Centre of excellence in African Satellite Meteorology Education and Training.  Close Collaboration with Local and International Institutions such as WMO, Eumetsat, NMHS, UON, KAF, UK Met. Office  Ability to initiate projects; some jointly funded.  Internet connectivity is good.  Functional IT laboratories.  Accommodation facilities at IMTR Hostel. October 2012 4 Centre of Excellence, Nairobi

5. CHALLENGES  Inadequate modern training equipment and facilities (e.g. Modern Class rooms, synoptic, environmental and physics labs, offices)  Poor succession management : Continued reduction of highly trained staff through natural attrition and deployment without replacement.  Weak marketing strategies e.g. Limitation of adverts in print and electronic media  Inadequate funding; as well as procurement of goods and services through the normal government processes is bureaucratic and extremely slow. October 2012 5 Centre of Excellence, Nairobi

6. CHALLENGES (CONT’D)  Limited and unstable Internet Connectivity within our region of responsibility (Status not yet confirmed). October 2012 6 Centre of Excellence, Nairobi

7. O PPORTUNITIES a. International markets in Anglo-phone Africa and part of the Middle East (e.g. Yemen); b. e-learning technology to offer courses online. c. Collaboration and networking with other CoEs, WMO- RTC as well as other international and local learning institutions. d. Partnerships with local and international organisations such as WMO, EUMETSAT, COMET, Universities e. Challenges posed by climate change; associated need for training. f. Increased requests for specialized tailor-made training eg TDCF, QMS (Aeronautical). October 2012 7 Centre of Excellence, Nairobi

8. P LANS FOR F UTURE V LAB A CTIVITIES  Working together with EUMETSAT and other partners to: - train CoE, Nairobi staff in the development and delivery of online courses. - launch online courses in satellite applications.  Train Trainers in our area of responsibility in the development and delivery of online courses.  Carry out seminars on emerging technologies in virtual learning. October 2012 8 Centre of Excellence, Nairobi

9. P LANS FOR F UTURE V LAB A CTIVITIES  Organise for attachment of Instructors to specialised centres for three (3) months or so to gain experience in emerging issues.  Seek funding to carry out: -benchmarking exchanges with other CoEs. - Evaluation of the impacts of the CoE training on the outputs at the NMHs. October 2012 9 Centre of Excellence, Nairobi

10. Asanteni Sana! October 2012 10 Centre of Excellence, Nairobi