International Summer School 2026: New Knowledge and Practical Experience with French Scientists
With the support of the Embassy of France in Kazakhstan and the Dean’s Office of the Faculty of Forestry and Land Resources, leading researchers from French scientific institutions, Dr. Sami Najem and Dr. Michel Le Page, were invited to participate in the International Summer School. The international experts delivered both theoretical and practical training sessions on modern geospatial technologies, remote sensing, and drought monitoring. During the next stage of the Summer School, participants were divided into two groups according to their academic backgrounds and professional interests. Each group followed a specialized training program under the guidance of international experts.
The first group attended Dr. Sami Najem’s course entitled “Introduction to Remote Sensing Image Processing.” Participants explored the theoretical foundations of remote sensing and gained knowledge of optical and radar remote sensing techniques. They also developed practical skills in QGIS, including downloading satellite data from the Copernicus platform, data visualization, image processing, clipping, reprojection, and the calculation of vegetation indices.
The second group participated in Dr. Michel Le Page’s course “Introduction to Drought Assessment with Google Earth Engine.” Participants learned about the nature of drought and methods for assessing its impacts, while gaining hands-on experience with the Google Earth Engine platform. The training included the calculation of the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), drought assessment using Earth observation data, exporting results as graphs and tables, combining drought indices, and identifying drought periods. The intensive three-day training program provided participants with valuable practical experience in modern geospatial technologies and remote sensing methods. The lectures and hands-on sessions delivered by international experts enhanced the participants’ professional competencies and strengthened their interest in scientific research.
At the conclusion of the Summer School, all participants received certificates, while the most active attendees were recognized for their engagement and contribution. The event was organized at a high professional level and received positive feedback from both participants and instructors. The Summer School served as an effective platform for knowledge sharing, experience exchange, and the strengthening of international scientific cooperation.
