Training aims to improve data collection skills

LOCAL implementing partners under the USAID PNG Lukautim Graun project have done training to help improve their data collection and transmission skills, a project representative says.
Moses Robby, the GIS data lead for Cardno under the USAID Lukautim Graun, last week headed a three-day course in Lae on software and application for 12 representatives from the project’s five local implementing partners.
Robby said he took them through CommCare, an open source mobile platform designed specifically for data collection where “implementing partners are able to enter data and the lead partner automatically receives to analyse and report”.
“This enables us to programme our project and report back to the US home office so they know exactly what’s happening out there,” he said.
Robby said participants were trained on basics of Geographic Information System (GIS) – how to map the data and a bit on Global Positioning System (GPS).
“So from the app, the data collected can easily be downloaded to a GIS platform and the GIS software produces the maps. These data can also be transmitted through info-graphs and also statistics.”
“I believe they have learnt a lot and will use these skills and knowledge to report quickly accurate data and activities they’ve been doing in respective organisations.”
According to the United States agency for international development (USAID), the five-year K66mil Lukautim Graun (care for the environment) project is to help reduce threats to PNG’s rich biodiversity.