AGENDA OF THE SUMMER UNIVERSITY
Understanding Cryosphere Hazards: Integrating Glaciers, Glacial Lakes, and Permafrost
Day 1
Participants are welcomed to the Summer University through an opening ceremony with representatives of Khorog State University, the Swiss Government, and the Aga Khan Foundation. The day introduces the overall program, creates space for networking, and establishes the foundation for the learning journey.
Day 2
The day introduces geographic information systems, GPS principles, field exercises, Google Earth, and QGIS. Participants build practical geospatial skills that can support disaster risk reduction and natural resource management.
Understand GIS and spatial analysis as tools for hazard and resource assessment.
Explain GPS principles and conduct basic field data collection.
Use Google Earth and QGIS to visualize, map, and interpret geospatial information.
Apply geospatial tools to disaster risk reduction decision-making.
Day 3
Participants develop a broad understanding of mountain hazard assessment approaches, including hazard, vulnerability and risk assessment, bathymetric assessment, permafrost assessment, and integrated habitat assessment.
Build a practical understanding of multi-hazard assessment methods.
Assess risks and apply integrated approaches in complex mountain environments.
Day 4
Conceptual lectures, forecasting demonstrations, and applied basin-scale modeling.
Understand runoff formation and forecasting in glacierized basins.
Interpret runoff processes and apply basic hydrological models.
Day 5
The day focuses on glacial lake outburst floods and debris flows as major threats in mountain regions, with attention to assessment approaches and practical mitigation options.
Identify the mechanisms that can trigger glacial lake outburst floods.
Evaluate debris-flow hazards in mountain catchments.
Assess triggers, exposure, and mitigation options for GLOFs and debris flows.
Day 6
Barsem represents a multi-hazard environment exposed to floods, landslides, GLOFs, permafrost degradation, and ecosystem disturbances. Participants connect theory with field investigations, hazard mapping, measurements, participatory mapping, and group work.
Develop practical skills in hazard identification, mapping, and risk assessment.
Strengthen understanding of multi-hazard interactions in a real mountain setting.
Support evidence-based decisions for risk reduction and sustainable land use in Barsem and similar regions.
Day 7
The day combines theory and field practice for permafrost monitoring in Central Asia. Participants work with ERT, InSAR concepts, Syscal R1 Plus, and Emlid Reach RS2 equipment to collect, process, and interpret field data.
Presentation, group work, and question-and-answer sessions.
Gain practical skills in permafrost monitoring, ERT, and GPS-based fieldwork.
Collect, process, and interpret geophysical data for hazard assessment.
Day 8
Participants continue hands-on field experience and data interpretation by operating geophysical equipment, processing field data, combining ERT results with GPS, and practicing data analysis exercises.
Mapping and modeling exercises.
Develop data interpretation skills for geophysical and hazard assessment methods.
Connect field measurements with mapping and modeling workflows.
Day 9
A field-based day links theory to real hazard environments in the Pamirs, with attention to visible geomorphological evidence and rapid interpretation.
On-site observation, rapid mapping, and team-based interpretation.
Develop applied field skills for recognizing hazard indicators.
Interpret geomorphological evidence in mountain hazard environments.
Day 10
The final day is dedicated to synthesis, knowledge integration, and transfer. Participants present applied group work, combine scientific methods, data, and modeling tools into hazard-mapping packages, and close the program through reflection and evaluation.
Group project work, hazard-mapping presentations, peer and expert review, moderated discussion, and formal institutional closing.
Consolidate learning outcomes and demonstrate applied competencies.
Showcase community-relevant hazard-mapping products and receive expert feedback.
Complete the Summer University with transferable skills for future field and research work.