The WFEO Committee on Young Engineers/Future Leaders (WFEO-YEFL) hosted the webinar “Leveraging Satellite Data to Address Poverty: Innovations and Impacts” on 20 November 2024.
The recording is available by clicking on the below image.
This event was aligned with the World Engineering Day Hackathon 2025 and was focused on the transformative potential of satellite data and advanced technologies in addressing poverty, achieving Sustainable Development Goal 1 (No Poverty), and fostering global innovation.
Keynote Speaker
The webinar featured Dr. Catherine Nakalembe, Assistant Professor in the Department of Geographical Sciences at the University of Maryland and Director of the Africa Program under NASA Harvest. Dr. Nakalembe is a renowned expert in applying Earth observation data and machine learning to address agriculture and food security challenges, particularly in vulnerable regions.
Her groundbreaking research and capacity-building efforts have directly influenced disaster risk financing, agricultural monitoring systems, and food security frameworks in various countries, including Uganda, Kenya, and Mali. Her impactful work has been recognized globally, earning her prestigious awards like the 2022 Golden Jubilee Medal (Uganda) and the 2020 Africa Food Prize.
Webinar Objectives
This session aimed to:
- Explore how satellite data and Earth observation tools can contribute to poverty reduction efforts.
- Showcase innovative applications of satellite technology in agriculture, food security, and disaster management.
- Inspire meaningful discussions on leveraging technology to achieve sustainable development goals, particularly SDG 1.
Dr. Nakalembe’s Expertise
Dr. Nakalembe brought a wealth of experience, including:
- Developing machine learning tools for agricultural and disaster monitoring using satellite data.
- Leading capacity-building initiatives for government ministries and regional agencies in Africa.
- Conducting research that has directly impacted policies and programs, including the Disaster Risk Financing Project in Karamoja, Uganda, which supported over 300,000 drought-affected individuals.
- Collaborating with global organizations such as NASA, USAID, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and AGRA.
Speakers:
- Dr. Catherine Nakalembe, Assistant Professor in the Department of Geographical Sciences at the University of Maryland and Director of the Africa Program under NASA Harvest
- Mustafa B. Shehu, WFEO President
- Firas Bou Diab, Chair of WFEO-YEFL
Conclusion
This webinar was a thought-provoking session showcasing how technology, particularly satellite data, can revolutionize global efforts to alleviate poverty. Participants gained valuable insights into the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and development from leading experts and thought leaders.
