In collaboration with the University of Twente (Faculty of ITC), the Netherlands Court of Audit offers an online course to the international community of audit institutions to better utilize geographic data in research. This course is a byproduct of years of cooperation with audit institutions in Arabic-speaking countries.
During the global INTOSAI congress - the world organization of national audit institutions meeting at the end of October in Egypt - this online course will be presented by a delegation of the Netherlands Court of Audit to the congress attendees.
Experience gained in the Arab world
The experiences in cooperation during the so-called Sharaka program (2022-2026) of the Netherlands Court of Audit with 7 audit institutions in North Africa and the Middle East have shown that the use of geographic data is beneficial for audit institutions. By using processed map material in research reports on how sustainable development goals (SDGs, the United Nations development goals) are pursued with government policy, messages can be clearly conveyed to governments and other users. This is, for example, the case in research on climate policy and water policy.
During joint sessions, an expert from the University of Twente was involved. This cooperation led the Netherlands Court of Audit, with the help of the infrastructure of the Faculty of ITC of the University of Twente – originally created to educate students and professionals from developing countries – to develop an online course (MOOC) on geospatial auditing (English language).
Methodology developed after the tsunami disaster in Asia
Since the international cooperation of audit institutions for research after the tsunami disaster in Asia in 2004, the Netherlands Court of Audit has actively worked with the use of geo-data. In the years following, with contributions from the Netherlands, an international standard for audit institutions was developed on how to use this instrument for research into disaster management. See for example a speech given by then president Saskia J. Stuiveling of the Netherlands Court of Audit at a geo-data congress in 2013 in Rotterdam.
Project leader Egbert Jongsma on the latest initiative: “An online course offers practical tools to use geo-data in research. It is a sustainable way to share expertise online. National audit institutions can use this free of charge, but also other interested parties. For example, geo-experts who want to apply their knowledge and skills for audit institutions. It is an accessible way to offer support and inspiration online, so we don’t have to fly halfway around the world and thus can reduce CO2 emissions.”
Financial support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Thanks to the funding of the Sharaka program by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this form of knowledge sharing has come about. On the educational platform Geoversity of the University of Twente, the online course will remain accessible for the coming years. When necessary, this course will be updated and expanded with practical examples from various countries.
The introduction to the online course on Geoversity.
