Procedure for New VLab Centres of Excellence

Procedure for establishing VLab Centres
of Excellence for Training in Satellite Meteorology
1.
Last reviewed on:
15/02/2012
Purpose
The purpose of the present Procedure is to define how new Virtual Laboratory Centres of
Excellence (CoE) for Training in Satellite Meteorology are officially established within the WMO
Strategy for Training and Education in satellite Meteorology.
2.
Requirements, expectations or guidelines to be fulfilled
Requirements, expectations or guidelines, as appropriate, are regularly reviewed by the
Virtual Laboratory Management group (VLMG) and submitted for endorsement to the relevant CBS
Expert Team and to CGMS. The expectations apply to the CoE itself, to the Satellite Operator
sponsoring the CoE, as well as to WMO and CGMS. The latest version of expectations, as
reviewed by VLMG-5 in July 2010, is reproduced below.
2.1
Expectations from the Centres of Excellence
Whilst recognizing that each VLab Centre of Excellence has different administrative and financial
structures, relationships with the sponsoring Satellite Operator and links with neighbouring NMHSs,
the VLMG recommended the following:
1. Nominate a focal and alternate point of contact for Virtual Laboratory (VLab) business. This
person should have some authority to make decisions regarding the use of the VLab within
the Centre of Excellence (CoE);
2. Run international training events that conform with the VLab guides for organising and running
training events;
3. Develop and run regular weather discussions (and also possibly discussions covering other
GEO SBA topics) for Regional Focus Groups;
4. Maintain an up to date list of priority training needs for that region: Links to ET-SUP for
coordination;
5. Develop and maintain proficiency in providing online training using tools such as VISITView;
6. Share training resources by submitting the link to the training material to the Environmental
Satellite Resource Center (ESRC), following the guidelines for VLab submissions;
7. Maintain regular contact with the other members of the VLab Management Group: Co-chair
responsibility to coordinate sessions;
8. Provide the Co-Chairs (or designated people) a brief annual report at the end of June each
year, relevant to the VLab, outlining the training activities for the past 12 months, anticipated
training activities for the next 12 months, priority training needs for the region for the next 12
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months and their ability to meet the training needs, and other information they feel is
relevant to the VLab: Co-chairs responsibilities to report to constituent bodies after receipt of
information.
2.2
Expectations for the satellite operators
1. Nominate a focal and alternate point of contact for Virtual Laboratory (VLab) business. This
person should have some authority to make decisions about VLab matters within the satellite
operator and some delegation to assist the Centres of Excellence (CoEs) on a case by case
basis;
2. Create and maintain a page in their main websites, dedicated to explain their involvement
and support to the VLab, and include the VLab logo. The inclusion of links to the VLab
Calendar of Events and the ESRC are also recommended;
3. Make near real-time data, products and/or selected case study data available for education
and training purposes to CoEs. Data formats should follow WMO recommendations and be
suitable for use in software environments such as VisitView, McIdas-V, SATREP and Ramsdis;
4. Assist CoE(s) with regular weather discussions (and also possibly discussions covering other
GEO SBA topics) in the Regional Focus Groups;
5. Maintain regular contact with the CoE(s) that the satellite operator is sponsoring, focusing in
particular, but not solely, on communications and data access issues. As appropriate, provide
an alerting role for the CoE(s) on new training resources and material generated within or for
the satellite operator;
6. Maintain regular contact with the other VLab satellite operators on data access and format
issues and other matters as appropriate;
7. Provide the Co-Chairs (or designated people) a brief annual report at the end of August each
year (or upon request). Reports should outline the activities that the satellite operator has
undertaken in the past 12 months for their sponsored CoE(s) and the VLab in general, as well
as plans relevant to the CoE(s) and the VLab for the next 12 months;
8. Assist the CoE(s) to overcome resource constraints on VLab related matters through advice,
championing with other funding bodies and direct assistance as appropriate;
9. Contribute to the funding of the Technical Support Officer (TSO) of the VLab, to assure the
smooth and coordinated continuous running of the VLab activities.
2.3
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Expectations for WMO and CGMS
Provide long term guidance and advice, and where appropriate, direction regarding global and
regional priorities;
Represent the VL partners at appropriate policy and resource fora;
Assist with resource issues.
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3.
Steps to be taken
Who?
What?
When?
At discretion of CoE
Candidate CoE
(From PR)
Letter of intent from CoE to the Director of WMO Space Programme
Office, stating readiness to become CoE and providing supporting
elements regarding compliance with the expectations. The letters go
to the WMO SP since it is connected to both CBS and CGMS.
Includes letter(s) from satellite sponsor(s) supporting new COE.
ET-SUP meeting
CBS/OPAG/IOS ETSUP
(VLMG should be
tasked to review and
report to ET-SUP)
To review the CoE application, assure that the CoE is sponsored by
a Satellite Operator, that the CoE has the appropriate facilities and
agrees to VL expectations regarding the responsibilities of a CoE.
- either ET reports remarks that are addressed by WMO SP
or the VLMG with the candidate CoE (then back to previous
step)
- or ET reports positive finding and recommendation to OPAG
IOS Chair.
CBS or MG meeting
CBS OPAG IOS
Chair
CBS or CBSManagement Group
CBS OPAG IOS Chair presents the recommendation to CBS
CBS endorses the application. This can be done at CBS or by the
CBS-Management Group depending on the OPAG Chair discretion
(CBS meetings occur only every two years while the CBS-MG meets
every year).
CGMS meeting
WMO delegation to
CGMS
WMO delegation to CGMS puts fort the proposal for a new CoE,
with CBS endorsement, to CGMS annual plenary.
CGMS plenary
CGMS endorses the application.
ASAP
WMO SP
4.
Notifies to new CoE the approval by CBS and CGMS
Modifications or terminations
Similar steps shall be followed in case of significant changes of status (e.g. relocation, new
structure) of the CoE. The termination of activities by decision of the CoE should be notified to
WMO.
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5.
Reference documents
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Strategy For Education and Training in Satellite Matters (EC Panel on Satellites, Final
Report, Annex II, 1993) www.wmo.int/pages/prog/sat/documents/SAT-GEN_Strategy-EduTraining-Sat-Matters-EC-Panel-Final-Report-1993.pdf
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Expectations from the Centres of Excellence, Satellite Operators and WMO/CGMS (VLMG-5
Final Report, Appendix IV, 2010)
http://www.wmo-sat.info/vlab/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Final_VLMG5_Report_July2010.pdf
•
Principles For Running VL Training Events (VLMG-3 Final Report, Appendix VII, 2007)
http://www.wmo-sat.info/vlab/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/VLMG3_FinalReport_Rev_1.pdfVLMG Terms of Reference (VLMG-5 Final Report, Appendix V,
2010)
http://www.wmo-sat.info/vlab/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Final_VLMG5_Report_July2010.pdf
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VL Five-Year Strategy 2009-2013
http://www.wmo-sat.info/vlab/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/SAT-ST-09_VL-5yearstrategy_V2.pdf
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