Behind almost every decision about roads, utilities, land use or emergency response sits a map — and increasingly, that map is powered by Geographic Information Systems (GIS): computer systems built to collect, manage and analyse the spatial data that describes everything from natural landmarks to man-made infrastructure. Governments, municipalities and engineering firms rely on this technology daily to make balanced decisions about natural and human resources.

This course from the Arab British Fellowship Training Academy is not limited to large-scale mapping projects; the same GIS principles apply just as well to a single neighbourhood's utility network or one company's computer infrastructure. Participants build hands-on skills in ArcGIS, from querying and editing spatial and descriptive data to linking data tables with maps and producing professional maps, reports and charts.

Who Should Attend?

• Staff working in planning centres and municipal departments.
• Employees in systems and environmental units, and municipal authorities.
• Professionals in the military sector and in electricity, water and telecom companies.
• Engineering consultancy and planning firms, and road and railway companies.
• Researchers and students in engineering and computer science disciplines, and anyone interested in mapping, surveying, GIS, statistics and analysis.

Programme Objectives

By the end of the training programme, participants will learn:

• The core concepts of geographic information systems.
• The structure and components of ArcGIS software.
• How to display spatial information and query GIS databases.
• How to edit spatial and descriptive data, link tables to maps, and produce maps, reports and charts.

Module 1: Getting to Know GIS and ArcGIS

• Defining geographic information systems and why they matter.
• Introducing ArcGIS software, installing it, and exploring its menus.
• Understanding the concept of a project and the file types the software handles.

Module 2: Setting Up a Project

• Opening and saving files, creating different slides, and saving a project.
• Coordinate systems and projection systems.
• Starting basic commands: opening a new project and creating one or more empty slides.

Module 3: Building and Editing Spatial Data

• Building layers, and organising, creating and editing geographic data to keep it accurate.
• Linking spatial data to its descriptive (attribute) data.
• The types of data the software works with: satellite and aerial imagery, maps, program files and databases.

Module 4: Querying and Displaying Spatial Information

• Displaying spatial information within the system.
• Searching and querying GIS databases.
• Editing spatial and descriptive data, and data retrieval and selection methods.

Module 5: Linking Tables and Managing Map Layers

• Linking and building relationships between tables and maps.
• Managing, symbolising and classifying map layers to support visual representation and data exploration.
• Working with attribute tables and their extensions, and handling point, line and polygon layer types.
• Understanding the Raster and Vector concepts.

Module 6: Georeferencing and Advanced Editing

• Geometric correction of maps and aerial or satellite images (georeferencing).
• Numbering process properties and the obstacles encountered while working with it.
• Drawing features from a regular or satellite image and producing project output.
• Managing operations and databases within the project environment, and the impact of changes on the graphical environment.

Module 7: Producing Maps, Layouts and 3D Output

• Designing an attractive layout page for maps that will be printed.
• Working through the final stages of completing a map or project within the Layout, in detail.
• Three-dimensional TIN output.

Module 8: Sharing Results and Practical Application

• Sharing maps and analysis results so they are easily accessible on desktop, web and mobile devices.
• Reviewing prior material and consolidating what has been learned.
• Group discussions and hands-on practical exercises.