On February 16, 2017, RCMRD/SERVIR E&SA and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) organized a data sensitization workshop at

JOOUST premises in Bondo. Kenya. The workshop was aimed at creating awareness among university staff and students on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data availability. Other objectives of the workshop included improving awareness of JOOUST staff and students on GIS data availability for possible application in teaching, research and outreach; increasing the number of potential GIS data users at JOOUST; adopting geospatial technologies through promotion of RCMRD work to the JOOUST community for improved uptake, and improving GIS data access by providing a platform for RCMRD to explain and demonstrate access protocol and user access rights for JOOUST GIS data.

In their key note address, RCMRD/SERVIR E&SA staff emphasised the role of sharing data within the society and the need for the JOOUST community to freely utilise data from RCMRD and use it for diverse applications in teaching, research and outreach. Prof. Joseph Bosire, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) promised to continue the partnership with RCMRD and SERVIR E&SA. This is one of the ways that RCMRD and JOOUST are operationalizing the MoU between the two institutions and promoting collaboration in geospatial data, information and technologies applications. The workshop was attended by over 80 staff members and students of the university.