"INTEGRAL: Intelligent Geotechnologies for Resilient Agricultural Adaptation to Climate Change in Lao PDR" is a Capacity Building in Higher Education project co-funded by the European Union.
The project is implemented by 2 European and 4 Lao higher education institutions, in co-operation with 3 non-academic associated partners - stakeholders in Lao PDR.
Following acceptance of our proposal by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (Granting Authority) and signature of the Grant Agreement, our project, was launched on February 1, 2023 and has a planned duration of 36 months.
The Project
Lao PDR’s economic growth is based on natural resources and 78% of the population depends on smallholder agriculture for income and employment; which is however affected by hazards such as drought, flood, erratic and more intense rainfall. It is thus vital for agriculture to develop resilience to climate change and ensure food security.
Intelligent Geotechnologies (combining mapping, earth observation, geographic information systems and artificial intelligence) play a fundamental role in supporting sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices. The use of such essential instruments in Lao Higher Education Institutions however is very limited or non-existent. The main objective of the project is, therefore, to build capacity on Intelligent Geotechnologies to confront the lack of pertinent knowledge and skills.
The project’s main activities are: developing curricula, innovative courses, and training material, establishing a crop type mapping framework, equipping laboratories, building training capacity, disseminating and ensuring the exploitation of the results.
The geographical distribution of the 4 Lao PDR universities and 3 associated partners covers the entire country, which is the essence of a national project. At least 52 HEI staff and 190 students and stakeholders will be trained during the project, and 1000 students and stakeholders will be trained within 5 years after the project; benefiting also 180 experts and policy-makers during dissemination workshops.
The project will vitally contribute to the digital transformation in Lao PDR, indirectly benefiting the whole society especially the rural one.
Four innovative modular courses on intelligent geotechnologies and their application on climate-resilient and adaptable agricultural practices, a methodological crop-type mapping framework, active engagement of students in field campaigns, e-learning tools, modern equipment, durably trained staff and aware stakeholders are the main results and outputs of INTEGRAL.