Maps are more than representations of places. They help us understand our surroundings, identify challenges and make informed decisions that can improve people’s lives. With this belief, I had the opportunity to organise and facilitate the Open Mapping Guru Workshop and Field Mapping Programme 2026, held on 5th–6th October 2026 at the Faculty of Arts and Culture, Eastern University of Sri Lanka. Under the theme “Geospatial Action Against Dengue: Mapping Waste Hotspots and Stagnant Water in Eravur Pattu,” this initiative brought together university students, academic staff and the Open Mapping community to explore how geospatial technologies can contribute to environmental monitoring and public health awareness. Supported and sponsored by Open Mapping Hub - Asia-Pacific and the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT), the programme was designed to go beyond traditional classroom learning. It provided students with an opportunity to learn, explore, collect real-world geographical information and understand how their mapping contributions could support their surrounding communities. As the Resource Person and Organiser, my main objective was to connect geospatial knowledge with practical community needs and encourage students to become active contributors to the global Open Mapping community.
The first day focused on practical field mapping and community-based data collection, with about 21 university students participating. The programme commenced at the Department of Geography, where students were divided into five groups and assigned different mapping areas surrounding the university and nearby communities. Before heading into the field, I introduced the participants to several mobile mapping applications and explained how these tools could be used to collect accurate, location-based information. The applications included ChatMap for capturing geotagged photographs and location-based field information, EveryDoor for contributing to OpenStreetMap through field-based data collection, and Organic Maps for navigation and exploring geographical locations, Mapillary for collecting and exploring street-level imagery, and Field Papers for preparing field maps and supporting systematic data collection. Following the technical introduction, the student groups began their field activities, focusing on identifying and documenting waste accumulation sites that could create potential mosquito breeding environments. Although the original theme included identifying both waste hotspots and stagnant water locations, the severe drought conditions experienced in Batticaloa District during this period limited the availability of stagnant water observations. Therefore, the students concentrated mainly on identifying waste accumulation locations and their surrounding environmental conditions. One of the most valuable tools during this activity was ChatMap. It enabled students to capture actual field photographs together with geographical coordinates, allowing us to build a location-based dataset supported by visual evidence. Throughout the fieldwork, I coordinated the groups, monitored their progress and provided technical guidance through a dedicated WhatsApp group. Students returned to the university in the afternoon, where we discussed their field experiences, observations, challenges and feedback. This activity provided valuable practical exposure and demonstrated how local observations can be transformed into useful geospatial information.For me, this was an important learning experience because students were not simply learning how to use mapping applications; they were observing real environmental issues and understanding how geographical information could help document them.
The second day focused on technical knowledge sharing, practical demonstrations and introducing participants to the wider world of Open Mapping and Open Source GIS. Approximately 51 participants attended the workshop, including students who had participated in the previous day’s field mapping, undergraduates from the second, third and fourth academic years, and academic staff members. We were honoured by the presence and participation of Prof. Suresh, Dean of the Faculty of Arts; Mr. Kiruparaja, Head of the Department of Geography; and Dr. Suthakaran, Senior Lecturer, Department of Geography. Their participation and encouragement highlighted the importance of introducing emerging geospatial technologies into university education and creating opportunities for students to engage in practical, technology-driven initiatives. As the Resource Person, I conducted and facilitated technical sessions covering several important areas of Open Mapping and Open Source GIS. These included an introduction to Open Source GIS and Open Mapping, exploring OpenStreetMap and the iD Editor, installation and configuration of JOSM, practical applications of ChatMap, an introduction to uMap for creating interactive maps, exploring the HOT Tasking Manager and HOT Export Tool, and mapping using Mapillary street-level imagery. The sessions combined technical explanations with practical demonstrations to help participants understand how open geospatial tools can be used for geographical data collection, collaborative mapping, spatial visualisation and humanitarian activities. It was particularly encouraging to see students engaging with the tools, exploring their capabilities and recognising that mapping is not limited to professional GIS specialists. The programme concluded successfully with the distribution of participation certificates, celebrating the students’ involvement and their willingness to learn and contribute to the Open Mapping community.
view the map: One of the most significant achievements of this initiative was the identification of 150 + waste hotspots through student-led field mapping activities. The identified locations covered areas around Eastern University and nearby communities, including Kommanthurai, Vantharumoolai and Changalady. The collected information included geographical coordinates and supporting field photographs, providing visual and spatial evidence of waste accumulation locations. These observations offer an important foundation for understanding the spatial distribution of waste accumulation sites in the surrounding communities. The mapping output demonstrates how university students can contribute to documenting real environmental challenges using accessible mobile applications and open geospatial technologies. Each mapped location represents an environmental observation that can contribute to a better understanding of local waste management challenges. Although identifying waste hotspots alone does not establish the presence of mosquito breeding sites or confirm dengue transmission risks, the collected information can help relevant authorities identify locations that may require environmental inspection, waste removal and further monitoring. This is where I believe Open Mapping creates meaningful value: it transforms local observations into organised geographical information that can support informed action.
For me, the purpose of this programme was never limited to conducting a two-day workshop or teaching students how to use GIS applications. The broader objective was to establish a connection between university-based geospatial knowledge and real community needs. The identified waste hotspot dataset is intended to serve as a useful resource for environmental monitoring and local-level planning. As the next step, we aim to further organise, validate and prepare the collected geographical information for sharing with the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) and Eravur Pattu Municipal Council through the YouthMappers Chapter Executive Committee. This proposed collaboration will provide an opportunity to connect university students, the Open Mapping community and relevant local authorities. By making the collected information accessible to the relevant stakeholders, we hope to encourage further environmental inspections, appropriate waste management interventions and community awareness activities.It is also an opportunity to demonstrate that students can contribute to practical solutions beyond their academic assignments and examinations. I believe this connection between university knowledge and community needs is essential for creating meaningful and sustainable impact.
Organising and facilitating this programme was a particularly meaningful experience for me. Returning to Eastern University of Sri Lanka, where I completed my undergraduate studies, and having the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience with the academic community was something I truly valued. My journey in Geospatial Technologies and Open Mapping has strengthened my belief that geographical information should not remain limited to technical professionals or academic researchers. With the right guidance, students and community members can become active contributors to creating meaningful geographical data. Throughout this programme, I had the opportunity to introduce students to tools and technologies that can open new learning opportunities, develop their technical skills and connect them with the global Open Mapping community. As a Resource Person and Organiser, one of my greatest satisfactions was seeing students move from learning about mapping applications to actually using them to identify and document environmental challenges in their own surroundings.I strongly believe that universities have an important role in encouraging students to use their academic knowledge to address real-world problems. Initiatives like this can create that connection between education, technology and social responsibility.I hope this programme will encourage more students to explore Open Mapping, participate in humanitarian mapping initiatives and use their geospatial knowledge to contribute to sustainable community development.
A successful initiative is always the result of collective effort, encouragement and collaboration. I sincerely extend my gratitude to Open Mapping Hub - Asia-Pacific and the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) for their generous sponsorship and support in making this programme possible through the Open Mapping Guru Pro+ Community Event Grant. Their continued commitment to strengthening the global Open Mapping community creates valuable opportunities for individuals, students and institutions to use open geospatial technologies for positive social impact. My heartfelt appreciation goes to Prof. Suresh, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, for his encouragement and support; Mr Kiruparaja, Head of the Department of Geography, for his cooperation; and Dr Suthakaran, Senior Lecturer, for his valuable guidance and support. I also extend my sincere thanks to the academic and technical staff of the Faculty of Arts and Culture and all the students who actively participated in the field mapping and technical workshop. I particularly appreciate the enthusiasm, teamwork and commitment demonstrated by the students throughout both days. The support and cooperation received from the Department of Geography and the Faculty of Arts and Culture, Eastern University of Sri Lanka, contributed significantly to the successful completion of this initiative.
The Open Mapping Guru Workshop and Field Mapping Programme 2026 was an important step towards encouraging students to become more than learners of geospatial technology. It demonstrated how young people can use their knowledge, creativity and technical skills to document environmental challenges and contribute to community-based initiatives.The identification of 150 + waste hotspots is an encouraging beginning. However, the real impact of this initiative will be reflected in how the collected information is further used, shared and translated into meaningful environmental action. I look forward to seeing more collaborations between universities, local authorities and the global Open Mapping community, creating opportunities for students to participate in initiatives that make a difference. For me, this programme reinforced one important message: Mapping is more than collecting geographical data. It is about understanding our surroundings, identifying challenges, sharing knowledge and empowering communities to create positive change. Let’s keep mapping, learning and contributing towards healthier and more sustainable communities.
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