Tidiane Ouattara

Dr. Tidiane Ouattara has received a master’s degree in physical geography from Université de Cocody-Abidjan (Côte-d’Ivoire), a master’s degree (1996) and a PhD (2001), both in Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) from Sherbrooke University (Canada).

Dr. Ouattara began his career in Canada as lecturer at Sherbrooke University from 1996 to 2001. He taught not only scientific courses, but also African geopolitics and sociocultural issues. After a brief stay with the private sector in Montreal, in 2002 he started working with the federal government of Canada.

Dr Ouattara was with the Canadian Space Agency from 2004 - 2006, as an Advisor to the President and International Relations manager in charge of Africa, Central and South America and the United Nations. He was also covering Earth Observation, Navigation and Positioning, Robotics and Space Sciences portfolios.  He also occupied the position of Head of the Canadian Delegation at the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS).

In 2002 - 2004 and 2006 - 2010, Dr Ouattara worked at the Department of Natural Resources Canada as the Senior Science and Policy Advisor for the Assistant Deputy Minister, the Chief Scientist and, Head of knowledge management, bilateral and multilateral strategies Unit Manager of Canadian Digital Elevation Model Programme and, Researcher and International Relations officer in geomatics (earth observation, mapping, GPS and Geographical Information System).

In 2010 - 2016, Dr Ouattara worked at the Department of Environment Canada as the Manager, Geospatial Data Management Section, Canadian Wildlife Service, and as Head, Landscape and Ecosystem Assessment Planning and Coordination Section, Canadian Wildlife Service.

Since 2016, Dr Ouattara has been with the African Union Commission as Space Science Expert in charge of the development and implementation of the African Outer Space Programme and Coordinator for the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (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 environment, natural resources, and sciences and technology.

Dr Ouattara has more than 24 years of experience in academia, private and public sectors in Canada, International organisation and abroad.  He has held a range of roles spanning across strategic policy, program, research and operational dimensions. Fields of experience include leadership roles in space, program design and delivery, science and policy integration, geospatial data analysis and management (remote sensing and Geographical Information system (GIS)), environment (water erosion, wildlife conservation, landscape assessment and planning), R&D, knowledge management and international relations.

Accomplishments include mobilized national and international stakeholders with diverging interests, delivered strategic approaches and innovation in multidisciplinary contexts, exercised full accountabilities for HR and financial resources (20 FTEs and $ 40 million) for several years and led organizational transformations from inception to full operations.

Dr Ouattara speaks English and French and is familiar with Spanish and various African languages.