Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD)

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Nairobi

About the Company
 

The Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD), previously known as Regional Centre for Services in Surveying, Mapping and Remote Sensing (RCSSMRS) was established in Nairobi, Kenya in 1975 under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the then Organization of African Unity (OAU). Its founder members are Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Tanzania and Malawi and the Government of the Republic of Kenya hosts it. It is a non-profit intergovernmental organization and currently has 15 contracting member States, namely: Botswana, Comoros, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. (Map showing member States)

 

 

Mission
The mission of the centre is to provide quality geo-information and allied ICT products and services in environmental and resource management for sustainable development in our Member States and beyond. The main geo-information technologies promoted by the Centre are Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing or Earth Observation (RS), Global Positioning System (GPS) and Database Development Systems (DBDS).

 

 

The Centre is also vigorously involved in the development of new techniques and applications for solving problems related to information communication technology, utility and facility management strategies, resource management, training of professionals and decision makers on the use of geo-information.


During the last twenty-five years, significant developments have taken place in the technology and methodology of data gathering, processing, storage, and dissemination of natural resource, environmental and development information. As a result, the member States have acquired or are in the process of acquiring the new advanced technologies for which they require initiation and back stopping by the Centre.


Therefore, in order to facilitate appropriate response by the Centre to the rapidly changing technologies as well as the socio-economic and operational needs of the member States, the Governing Council (GC) of the Centre commissioned the review of the Centre’s agreement, its mandate, its relationship with member governments and partners as well as decrees which guide its policies.


The review team prepared a document entitled "Centre’s 2020 Vision" which was adopted by the Governing Council in December 1997. The team recommended that the Centre should be transformed into an active partner in development rather than a passive service Centre. To implement this, they recommended the restructuring of the Centre.

 

The restructuring of the Centre was undertaken in 2000 and the outcome of this process led to formulation of new mission and objectives:

 
  • To develop and constantly update harmonized and standardized land resources and urban development digital data and information infrastructure for the region, based on demand;
  • To develop a regional early warning system for food security, environmental monitoring and disaster management using mainly satellite technology;
  • In collaboration with member States, national institutions, undertake projects for creation of spatial information system suitable for development planning at national, regional and community levels;
  • Coordinate the harmonization of the fragmented regional and African datum using accurate geodetic GPS techniques and research into the field of data processing methodologies;
  • Develop capability and capacity in the maintenance of surveying and mapping equipment and offer advisory and maintenance services to the member States; and
  • In collaboration with national and international institutions, undertake research and training in the application of geo-information in land resources and urban development mapping and assessment for sustainable development.

 

Products & services

Advisory and Consultancy Services

 

RCMRD offers competitive services in the fields of its expertise. These include:

  • Database Development for Decision Support Systems Use of GIS in the Management of Urban areas/ Utilities Data Automation through Digitizing, Scanning & conversion;
  • Needs Assessment in Geo-information Technologies;
  • GIS Application in the Management of Resources;
  • Design and development of GIS;
  • Cadastral surveys using modern techniques such as GPS;
  • Resource Mapping (vegetation, soil & land use/cover);
  • Natural hazards mapping and forecasting;
  • Engineering surveys (roads, pipelines, dams etc); Structure deformation surveys including dams & building monitoring;
  • Digital photogrammetric mapping;
  • Information Technology solutions;
  • Service, Calibration and Repair of surveying and mapping equipment; and
  • Tailor-made courses in IT, RS, GPS and GIS.

 

Training Programmes

 

Geo-informational Courses
The Centre offers the following courses in geo-information. The courses last between one week to three months, and are offered throughout the year:

 

  • Introduction to Remote Sensing & Image Processing;
  • Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS);
  • Introduction to Global Positioning Systems (GPS);
  • Application of Remote Sensing & GIS in natural resources management;
  • Application of Remote Sensing & GIS in Early Warning Systems for Food Security;
  • Application of RS & GIS in Disaster Risk Management;
  • Geospatial database development and management for use in planning process and decision making;
  • Principles of Digital Cartography;
  • Application of GPS technology in resource surveys and mapping;
  • Integrated Water Management;
  • Application of GIS in poverty mapping, health care & good governance;
  • Land Information Management Systems; and
  • Service and Repair of Survey equipment.

 

Information Technology Courses

Information Technology courses offered at the centre is targeted at school leavers, corporate organizations and the general public.

 

 

1. Academic Programs

  • Bridging Certificate in Mathematics
  • Certificate in I.T. Diploma in I.T.



2. Short Programs

  • Foundation Course Graphics Application & Web Design;
  • Database Management;
  • Software Application Development;
  • Networking & Infrastructure Development; and
  • PC Maintenance.

 

 

3. Corporate Courses

  • Information Systems for Management;
  • Computer Aided Financial Management;
  • Computerized Registry Management;
  • Management Information Systems for Monitoring and Evaluation;
  • Integrated Computer Training for Managers;
  • Database Design and Management;
  • Computer Based Auditing;
  • Computerized Records Management for Lawyers;
  • Analysis and Design of Information Systems;
  • Advanced Computer Applications for Executive Secretaries; and
  • Basic Programming Skills course.

 

The center also offers tailor-made courses to suit the specific needs of corporate clients. Courses can also be offered at a location of the client’s convenience.

Contact Information
Contact Person: Director-General
Postal Address: 632 - 00618 - Nairobi
Telephone: +254- 20 - 8560227
Website: http://www.rcmrd.org
 
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