GPR Technical Training for 5 Kenya Ports Authority Engineers

Orbital Geospatial College (OGC) and Orbital Africa conducted 5-day GPR training to five (5) engineers from Kenya Ports Authority (KPA). The training combined theoretical sessions in Kilifi at and practical field sessions in Mombasa, conducted to equip participants with the knowledge and skills required for effective equipment operation and data acquisition.

The theoretical sessions covered fundamental concepts, equipment operation, and data acquisition procedures, while the practical sessions provided hands-on experience in equipment setup, operation, and field data collection. A total of five participants attended the training.

The participants gained an understanding of the equipment, its applications, and the procedures for data acquisition. The practical sessions enabled them to apply the theoretical knowledge in field conditions and develop their technical skills.

Background

The training was commissioned by Elegance Designers and Printers for staff from the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) to build their technical capacity in operating and applying the MALA GX Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) system. The objective was to equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills required for equipment setup, survey planning, field data acquisition, and the detection and investigation of subsurface features.

OGC delivered the five-day training programme in two phases. The theoretical training took place in Kilifi from 12^th to 13^th October 2026 (two days), covering GPR fundamentals, equipment components, operating principles, and survey procedures. Practical training was conducted at KPA in Mombasa from 14^th to 16^th October 2026 (three days), focusing on equipment setup, field survey techniques, and data acquisition. The programme aimed to strengthen participants’ technical competencies and prepare them to conduct GPR surveys effectively and independently.

Training objectives

Understand GPR principles: Introduce participants to the fundamental principles of GPR technology and its applications in subsurface investigations.

Familiarize participants with the equipment: Explain the components, functions, and operating procedures of the MALA GX GPR system.

Develop equipment operation skills: Train participants to set up, configure, and operate the GPR system correctly.

Conduct field surveys: Equip participants with practical skills in survey planning, grid layout, data acquisition, and appropriate field procedures.

Improve subsurface interpretation: Introduce participants to the identification and interpretation of subsurface features, including buried utilities and other underground structures.