Since 2008, the Tokyo Climate Center (TCC) of the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has organized and hosted an annual one-week training seminar attended by a dozen invited experts from National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in the Asia-Pacific region. Attendees learn about state-of-the-art climatological technologies and information provided by JMA both in classroom lectures and in practical exercises using JMA products, thereby allowing them to apply their learning to operational climate services soon after returning home. At the end of the course, all participants make individual presentations to highlight their achievements from the seminar. This presentation session is intended to encourage active involvement in lectures/exercises and to foster deeper understanding. The seminar is conducted in English.
Benefits:
Capacity development of NMHSs in climate services
Activities:
On the first and second days of the five-day course, JMA experts give basic lectures on climatology and highlight techniques with focus on related background science and principles. Around half the course is spent on exercise sessions to help attendees master practical skills. At the end of the course, all participants make individual presentations to demonstrate their achievements and discuss their results with other attendees and JMA experts.
Attendees complete questionnaires both before and after the seminar. The first is to collect information on their specialties, professional experience in climate services and current duties. The second evaluates the extent to which the seminar met needs for improved understanding and skills relating to climate services. Based on the feedback provided, TCC experts set the curriculum and consider the theme of the next seminar.
Objectives:
The seminar is intended to familiarize participants with JMA climate products and information, including numerical prediction model data and a dedicated tool for climate system monitoring. It is also designed to improve attendees’ skills in generating climate information.
Deliverables/Outcomes:
1. Program, textbook (bound)
2. Handouts of lecture slides
3. Tools used in the seminar
4. Attendance certificates
Attendees are given a USB memory stick containing electronic copies of one to three products. These are also available on the TCC website.
Risks:
The number of invited experts largely depends on the budget.
Resource requirements:
Two experts devote a couple of months to arrangements for the seminar.
Indicators and assessment measures:
Attendees answer a questionnaire to evaluate the extent to which the seminar met needs for improved understanding and skills in relation to climate services. TCC continuously checks the frequency of TCC product usage by attendees via website access analysis.
