05 May 2023

Meet one of the four DE Africa and Youthmappers Technical Challenge winners

At Digital Earth Africa, we believe in recognizing and celebrating the incredible talent and diversity within the geospatial informatics industry. In this blog post, we are thrilled to highlight the next generation of GIS professionals, particularly those who have caught our attention in partnership with Youthmappers. Youthmappers is a global network of university-based chapters that utilize open geospatial data and mapping technologies to address local development challenges worldwide. Earlier this year, we proudly announced the winners of the DE Africa and Youthmappers Technical Challenge 2022, and today, we bring you an inspiring story from one of the winners.

We had the privilege of catching up with Joseph Mangu from JUCo Youthmappers at Jordan University College in Morogoro, Tanzania. Joseph and his team were among the winners of the Technical Challenge, presenting their remarkable project titled "The Use of GIS in Selecting Suitable Sites for the Construction of Wastewater Treatment Ponds: The Case of Morogoro Municipal in Tanzania Using Digital Earth Africa Sandbox." In our conversation with Joseph, he shares more about their research project and their aspirations for the future.

Joseph Mangu from JUCo Youthmappers
Joseph Mangu from JUCo Youthmappers

With the help of the Digital Earth Africa platform, Joseph and his team could describe crucial factors such as groundwater availability, soil depth, and slope and even extract satellite images directly from the platform. These valuable insights enabled them to make informed decisions and select optimal locations for wastewater treatment ponds, contributing to the overall improvement of urban wastewater management.

When asked about the impact of winning the Technical Challenge on his life, Joseph's face lit up with excitement. "Winning this project has truly positively transformed my life," he shares. "Through this experience, my research and project monitoring skills have grown exponentially. Moreover, it has expanded my network as I had the opportunity to meet incredible individuals from different parts of my community, all working towards a common goal."

The Technical Challenge victory also provided Joseph a platform to connect with fellow Youth Mappers Technical Challenge winners, creating a valuable space for idea exchange and collaboration. This collaborative environment empowered Joseph and his peers to execute their projects and explore innovative solutions successfully.

Looking to the future, Joseph's ambitions remain high. He envisions furthering his knowledge in geospatial informatics and hopes to apply his expertise to tackle more environmental challenges. Joseph's dedication and passion for creating a sustainable and resilient future for his community are truly inspiring.

At Digital Earth Africa, we proudly celebrate Joseph Mangu and his team's outstanding achievements. Their project serves as a shining example of the power of geospatial informatics in addressing critical environmental issues. We believe the next generation of GIS professionals like Joseph will play a pivotal role in shaping Africa's future and driving positive change across the continent.

 Youthmappers at Jordan University College, led by Joseph Walwa
Youthmappers at Jordan University College, led by Joseph Walwa

To watch the announcement of the winners, click here. Stay tuned to our Diversity Technical Challenge Blog Series for more inspiring stories from geospatial informatics as we continue to recognize the remarkable talent within Africa and beyond.

Want to learn more about the Digital Earth Africa Platform?

Visit our learning website: https://learn.digitalearthafrica.org

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