Dr Tidiane Ouattara received a PhD and a master’s degree in Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) from Sherbrooke University (Canada) in 2001 and 1996, respectively. He also holds a master’s degree in physical geography from Université de Cocody-Abidjan (Côte-d’Ivoire). Dr Ouattara graduated in Leadership for Canadian federal government public service executives. Dr Ouattara is currently Space Science Expert and Coordinator for GMES & Africa Programme.
He has gained tremendous experience in international relations and business development, research and development (R&D), strategic policy development and program management issues related to the environment, natural resources, and sciences and technology. He successively occupied the following positions:
African Union Commission (2016-Present):
- Space Science Expert and Coordinator of the African Outer Space Programme and of the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES & Africa) Programme.
- Leading the development and implementation of the African Outer Space Programme as well as the African Space Policy and Strategy.
Department of Environment and Climate Change Canada (2010-2016):
- Manager, Geospatial Data Management Section.
- Head Manager, Landscape and Ecosystem Assessment Planning and Coordination Section.
Department of Natural Resources Canada (2002-2004 and 2006-2010):
- Senior Science and Policy Advisor for the Assistant Deputy Minister, the Chief Scientist
- Head of knowledge management, bilateral and multilateral strategies Unit
- Manager of Canadian Digital Elevation Model Programme using satellite images
- Researcher and International Relations officer in geomatics (earth observation, mapping, GPS and Geographical Information Systems).
Canadian Space Agency (2004-2006):
- International Relations Manager in charge of:
- Africa, Central and South America and United Nations;
- Earth Observation, Navigation and Positioning, Robotics and Space Sciences portfolios.
Private Sector (2001-2022)
- Geomat International, Montreal
- Researcher in charge of developing methodologies for earth observation applied to specialized crops.
- INERA (Burkina Faso)
- Consultant in training in earth observation (principle and application to agriculture and environment).
The University of Sherbrooke, Canada (1996-2001)
- Lecturer in earth observation, physical geography, African geopolitics and sociocultural issues.