QGIS (Open-Source GIS) Training 5-Day Course Outline - KSA, Oman & GCC

Master Free & Open-Source GIS with QGIS Training in Saudi Arabia, Oman & Gulf Region

The QGIS (Open-Source GIS) Training Course is a comprehensive 5-day program for GIS professionals, analysts, and planners across Saudi Arabia (KSA), Oman, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. This hands-on training covers spatial analysis, cartography, and data management using the world’s leading free GIS software—essential for cost-effective geospatial solutions throughout the GCC.

Why QGIS Training is Essential in the Middle East?

• Zero licensing costs: free alternative to commercial GIS software

• Vision 2030 digital transformation: cost-effective spatial solutions

• Government agencies: municipalities, environmental departments, planning

• International standard: used by UN, World Bank, NGOs globally

• Growing GCC adoption: universities, research institutions, startups

• Full functionality: rivals commercial software capabilities

• Compatible with industry formats: shapefiles, GeoTIFF, CAD, databases

• Customizable: Python scripting and plugin development

Who Should Attend?

• GIS analysts seeking free software alternatives

• Government officials in municipalities and planning departments

• Environmental consultants and NGO staff

• Students and researchers in universities

• Engineers and surveyors requiring GIS capabilities

• Small businesses needing affordable mapping solutions

• Anyone seeking professional open-source GIS skills

5-Day Course Structure

Day 1: QGIS Fundamentals & Interface

Introduction to QGIS

• What is QGIS? History and development

• Open-source advantages: licensing, community, flexibility

• QGIS vs. commercial software comparison

• GCC adoption and applications

• Current version features (QGIS 3.x LTR)

• Installation and system requirements

Interface Navigation

• Main components: menus, toolbars, panels

• Map canvas and navigation tools

• Browser panel: data management

• Layers panel: organizing layers

• Processing toolbox

• Customizing interface and shortcuts

Working with Projects

• Creating and saving projects (.qgs/.qgz)

• Project properties: CRS, metadata

• Relative vs. absolute paths

• Project templates

• Backup and version control

Coordinate Reference Systems

• Geographic vs. projected systems

• WGS84, UTM zones for GCC

• Saudi Arabia: Ain El Abd 1970

• Oman coordinate systems

• On-the-fly CRS transformation

• Reprojecting data

Adding and Managing Data

• Supported formats: shapefiles, GeoPackage, GeoJSON, KML

• Vector and raster data

• Layer properties and attributes

• Layer visibility and scale ranges

• Data source management

Day 2: Data Visualization & Cartography

Symbology and Styling

• Single symbol rendering

• Categorized: unique values

• Graduated: quantitative data

• Classification methods: natural breaks, equal interval

• Color ramps and palettes

• Rule-based styling

• Transparency and blending

• Data-defined overrides

Labeling Features

• Simple labeling: single field

• Formatting: font, size, color, buffer

• Label placement and positioning

• Expression-based labeling

• Scale-dependent labeling

• Bilingual labels: Arabic and English for GCC

• Callouts and leader lines

Map Composer and Layouts

• Creating print layouts

• Adding map items

• Scale bars, north arrows, legends

• Title blocks and annotations

• Grids and graticules

• Atlas generation: automated map series

• Exporting: PDF, PNG, JPEG

Working with Basemaps

• QuickMapServices plugin: Google, Bing, OSM

• OpenStreetMap integration

• XYZ Tiles custom services

• Satellite imagery: Sentinel, Landsat

• WMS/WMTS services

• Offline basemap tiles

Day 3: Spatial Analysis & Geoprocessing

Selection and Queries

• Select by attribute: expression builder

• Select by location: spatial relationships

• Interactive selection

• Saving selections

• Definition queries

• Spatial bookmarks

Vector Geoprocessing

• Buffer analysis: fixed and variable

• Dissolve: aggregating features

• Clip: extracting by boundary

• Intersect, union, difference

• Merge and append layers

• Spatial join by location

Proximity Analysis

• Distance matrix calculations

• Nearest neighbor analysis

• Voronoi polygons

• Service area delineation

• Hub distance analysis

• Applications: facility planning

Overlay Analysis

• Multi-criteria suitability analysis

• Weighted overlay

• Vector overlay combinations

• Risk zone mapping

• Land use conflict analysis

• Practical exercise: GCC site selection

Attribute Management

• Field calculator: new fields

• Updating attributes

• Expression functions

• Conditional statements

• Aggregate functions

• Virtual fields

Day 4: Raster Analysis & Data Management

Raster Data Fundamentals

• Raster structure: pixels, bands

• Adding rasters: imagery, DEMs

• Raster symbology

• Color ramps and classification

• Raster pyramids

Terrain Analysis

• Digital Elevation Models: SRTM, ASTER

• Slope and aspect analysis

• Hillshade: 3D visualization

• Viewshed analysis

• Profile tool

• Applications: infrastructure planning

Raster Processing

• Raster calculator: band math

• Reclassify values

• Zonal statistics

• Extract by mask

• Mosaic and merge

• NDVI calculation: vegetation index

• Land cover classification

Database Integration

• PostgreSQL/PostGIS connection

• Spatial database benefits

• Loading database layers

• Editing database features

• DB Manager: query and manage

• Import/export to databases

Data Import and Export

• Importing: GPS (GPX), CAD (DXF/DWG), KML

• Excel and CSV with coordinates

• GeoJSON and TopoJSON

• Converting between formats

• Batch conversion

• Data integrity maintenance

Day 5: Automation, Plugins & Advanced Topics

QGIS Processing Framework

• Processing toolbox overview

• Native algorithms

• GDAL/OGR, GRASS, SAGA tools

• Graphical modeler: workflow automation

• Custom processing models

• Batch processing

• Running models and scripts

Python Scripting in QGIS

• PyQGIS basics: Python console

• Accessing layers and features

• Reading/modifying attributes

• Automating tasks

• Processing scripts

• Standalone scripts

• Use cases: batch geocoding

Essential QGIS Plugins

• Plugin manager

• QuickMapServices: basemaps

• QGIS2Web: web maps (Leaflet, OpenLayers)

• Quick OSM: OpenStreetMap download

• MMQGIS: geocoding tools

• Profile Tool: terrain profiling

• TimeManager: temporal visualization

Web Mapping and Sharing

• QGIS Server: WMS/WFS publishing

• Creating web maps with qgis2web

• Leaflet and OpenLayers export

• QGIS Cloud sharing

• Mobile: QField and Input

• Collaborative workflows

GPS and Field Collection

• GPS integration

• Loading GPX tracks

• QField: mobile QGIS for Android

• Field survey setup

• Offline data collection

• Post-processing field data

Advanced Analysis

• Network analysis: routing, service areas

• Point pattern analysis

• Hot spot analysis

• Interpolation: IDW, kriging

• Spatial statistics

• Change detection

• Remote sensing processing

GCC-Specific Applications

• Saudi Arabia: urban expansion mapping

• Oman: water resource management

• Infrastructure planning

• Environmental monitoring

• Archaeological site mapping

• Real estate analysis

• Emergency response planning

• Agricultural assessment

Best Practices

• Project organization

• Naming conventions

• Metadata creation

• Data quality control

• Performance optimization

• Memory considerations

• Troubleshooting

• Community resources

Hands-On Final Project

• Comprehensive project:

  • Define GCC-relevant problem

  • Data acquisition

  • Multi-step analysis

  • Professional map layouts

  • Documentation

  • Class presentation

• Instructor feedback

Course Review

• Key concepts review

• Advanced resources

• Career pathways

• QGIS community contribution

• Certificate presentation

• Post-training support

Certification and Career Benefits

Professional Recognition

• QGIS proficiency certificate

• Cost-effective alternative to expensive certifications

• 20-35% salary increase for GIS professionals

• Enhanced employability across sectors

• Complements commercial GIS expertise

Career Opportunities in GCC

• GIS analyst in municipalities and ministries

• Environmental consultant roles

• NGO and development project specialists

• Research positions

• Urban planning projects

• Freelance consulting

• Tech startups

• Education and training

Training Delivery Options

• Classroom: Riyadh, Jeddah, Muscat, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha

• Virtual instructor-led: Live online with exercises

• In-company: Customized (minimum 6 participants)

• Blended: Videos with live workshops

• Industry-specific: Environmental, urban planning focus

• Open-source software: Free for participants

Empower Your GIS Career with Open-Source Technology

QGIS skills provide cost-effective, powerful spatial analysis capabilities for organizations across Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the GCC. Master the world’s leading free GIS platform and unlock unlimited geospatial potential without licensing barriers.

Master QGIS and drive digital transformation with open-source technology.