The CSRS’s ESA research cluster (Animal Health, Human Health, and Environmental Health) held, from June 30 to July 1, 2026, a training workshop titled “QGIS for Spatial Health Research” for students and researchers in the research cluster, as well as participants from other universities and public institutions in Côte d’Ivoire, thereby fostering interdisciplinary exchanges on approaches to spatial epidemiology.

Held over two days in the Norbert Béhi Room at the CSRS, this hands-on training enabled participants to learn the fundamentals of geographic information systems (GIS) through the use of QGIS, a leading open-source software for the management, analysis, and visualization of spatial data.

In a context where georeferenced data plays an increasingly important role in disease surveillance, health system planning, and decision-making, this workshop aimed to address a real need for local capacity building in the field of spatial epidemiology and public health research.

During the various sessions, participants learned how to integrate and manipulate spatial data, conduct basic geographic analyses, and produce scientifically sound maps for use in research, technical reports, and academic presentations. The hands-on exercises, based on real-world datasets, helped participants gain practical experience with the tools and methods presented.

The workshop brought together a diverse audience, including master’s and doctoral students, researchers, research assistants, public health professionals, epidemiologists, and specialists interested in applying geospatial tools to health issues.

At the conclusion of the training, participants received their certificates of participation from the trainer, Mr. Max Yang of Stanford University in the United States, and Mr. Kpon Roger, head of the TSI-CSRS department, who represented the CSRS Director General, Prof. Jérémie ZOUEU, for the occasion.

Through this initiative, the CSRS reaffirms its commitment to developing the scientific and technical skills of researchers and students in order to address public health challenges in Côte d’Ivoire and the subregion.

NGS/CelCom