Kwasi Ofori-Karikari has recently graduated from ITC’s MSc in Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation. Today we interviewed him to learn more about his Master’s journey, and how his excellent Thesis work led him to present at the Netherlands Center for Geodesy and Geo-Informatics (NCG) 2024 Symposium.
How did you learn about ITC, and why did you decide to come here?
I found Faculty ITC while searching online for a Master’s programme in GIS and Remote Sensing. I was working at that time, so I asked my then boss, Joseph Akongbangre of his opinion. He confirmed it was a good school and recommended that I should apply for admission. His recommendation influenced my decision to come here.
In the Master’s in Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, you took the Natural Resource Management track. Was there any course that surprised you, where you learned things you didn’t expect?
I would say the Core Course GIS and RS for Geospatial Solutions. I was surprised by the content because we had to learn some physics which form the basis of remote sensing, though informative, was quite technical.
What was your favourite course in the whole MSc?
My favorite course was the “Earth Observation for Natural Resources Management” course, coordinated by Michael Marshall. Back in Ghana, when I worked, I used more GIS tools and applications and didn’t had much exposure to remote sensing. This course was interesting because it allowed me to process and analyze multispectral (from both satellite and drones, hyperspectral, and thermal satellite imagery for forestry, agriculture and climate change applications and management, something I had a passion for studying years ago
How does that course relate to your thesis topic?
The course provided a foundation in remote sensing along with spatial statistics, which was crucial for my thesis. My thesis focused on integrating environmental data with satellite imagery for large-scale crop grain nutrient mapping. I used Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 imagery along with soil, climate and topography data from sources like the European Space Agency, Wageningen University, and NASA to analyze spectral information and vegetation indices to predict crop nutrients. Without that course, diving into my thesis would have been tough.
Writing a MSc thesis is quite a unique learning experience. What did you learn during your thesis?
In the past, I tended to "go with the flow," but now I've recognized the importance of planning and effective communication, especially in relation to my thesis work.
First, I've learned to structure my time and set clear deadlines for completing tasks. This planning ensures that I stay on track and meet all necessary milestones.
Second, I've learned the critical role of effective communication. Sharing my ideas with my supervisors, who are experts in the field, and receiving their feedback was crucial. Clear communication allowed me to convey my thoughts accurately and clearly, ensuring that I did not leave out important information. If I fail to explain myself clearly, valuable information could be lost, affecting the feedback I receive and ultimately the quality of my work.
Also, through the support of my supervisors, I improved my coding language skills in both python and R for data processing and machine learning applications.
What did you find in your thesis research that might be interesting to share?
Before I answer this, let me give a summary of my thesis. My thesis, titled “Integrating Environmental Data with Satellite Imagery for Large-Scale Crop Grain Nutrient Mapping,” explores a unique approach in our field. Typically, satellite image spectra capture the crop canopy, not the grain. Conventional uses of satellite imagery in agriculture include biomass mapping, crop nutrient mapping, and yield prediction.
A pilot study by Dr. Mariana Belgiu successfully utilized spectral information from only hyperspectral and multispectral datasets at various crop growth stages to indirectly predict micro and macronutrients in crop grains. My thesis advances this research by incorporating additional environmental data, such as rainfall, temperature, soil data, elevation, and slope. This comprehensive integration aims to understand how these factors influence grain nutrient levels at different growth stages.
Traditionally, the impact of these factors on crop health and nutrient composition has been confirmed through field studies. However, this research demonstrated that these impacts can now be accurately monitored and predicted using remote sensing data. This advancement not only validates established agricultural findings but also opens new possibilities for large-scale, efficient crop management and nutrient mapping.
By using remote sensing-derived indices to measure crop health along with environmental data, it is possible to predict grain nutrient composition with an R-squared value of up to 73%, without the need for traditional fieldwork.
You had the chance to present your Thesis work at the NCG Symposium 2024 hosted at TU Delft. How did that opportunity arrive, and how did you feel about it?
The opportunity was presented to me by my supervisor, who encouraged me to respond to a call for abstracts from the organizers of the symposium. I was excited when I was accepted to be a speaker. For me, at this moment in my life, it is the biggest stage I have presented on, and I am confident I can present at other conferences in the future without the fear of public speaking that I had before this symposium.
And you have just graduated from your MSc! What are the biggest learnings you've taken from your Master’s journey?
The biggest learnings are, first, having the right mindset, you need to believe you can achieve your goals. Second, working with people from different backgrounds teaches you that your ideas, even if they seem the best to you, might not be the best for others, so you need to find common ground. This helped develop my teamwork skills. Lastly, through various presentations of projects and assignments to my colleagues, I have developed public speaking skills.
Looking at the future, what are your next steps?
Looking at the future now, with my new broad skillset, I think I have many options. I am open to working in the industry for any company that needs my knowledge or expertise. I am considering setting up a research consultancy firm, as the skills and experience attained during my thesis has taught me a lot about conducting research, both independently and in a team. Additionally, I am also open to continue research in academia, so I am currently looking for PhD opportunities.
Do you have any advice to share with new students?
For new students, I would first like to welcome them. My advice is that if they do not understand anything in class, they can ask the lecturer directly. At the university of Twente, I was taught that, "No question is silly!". So, ask questions. Also, your colleagues or the students who are a year ahead of you may have in-depth knowledge of certain topics, so it is good to sometimes have group meetings to discuss ideas, learn and grow together.
For the continuing students, my advice is that when choosing MSc topics, they need to be very clear about their objectives from the start. These objectives should be within the context of their current capabilities (what skills they have at the time of choosing the topic) and their potential capabilities (what they are willing to learn within the thesis timeframe). My advice is not to choose a topic just because it sounds nice, or because it is related to their country. This could lead to complications later. Also, it is worth noting that different research methods can be suitable for one topic, exploring all potential methods might not always be necessary. To ensure their thesis progresses smoothly, it's crucial to communicate clearly and agree on the methodologies they want to use with their supervisors from the onset. This clarity helps prevent misunderstandings, and the need to explore all unnecessary methods and keeps their project on track. My final recommendation is to establish a detailed plan and start working early to meet your thesis deadlines effectively.
