I am James Ondieki, originally from Nairobi, Kenya. I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Geomatic Engineering and Geospatial Information Systems from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in 2019. After working as a geospatial web developer, I realized the need to deepen my analytical skills to extract more insights from large geospatial datasets. This motivation led me to pursue a master’s in Geoinformatics and Spatial Data Science at the Institute for Geoinformatics (IFGI) in Münster, Germany.

I first encountered 52°North during my Spatial Information Infrastructures (SII) course at IFGI in 2023. Lectures by Albert Remke and Simon Jirka on OGC standards and the principles of spatial data interoperability captured my interest. “I have always believed that spatial data should be able to flow seamlessly between various systems, but seeing how 52°North turned theory into practice inspired me. Besides, 52°North’s commitment to open-source technologies was also attractive. In a world that is fast-paced, open-source initiatives have helped to bridge the gap in access to important tools and technologies, and I have always wished to be part of that”. Thus I joined 52°North as an intern from October 2024 to March 2025.

During my internship, I primarily worked on the OER4SDI project. The project focuses on developing open learning materials on Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDIs) for geoinformatics students and professionals. I developed two Open Educational Resouces (OER) modules: MQTT and Digital Twins. In the MQTT module, I explored IoT concepts, particularly the MQTT protocol and the SensorThings API (STA). As part of this work, I designed a prototype using a DHT11 sensor and an Arduino board to measure air temperature and humidity in real-time. The sensor data was transmitted using MQTT to an STA server, and visualized using the 52°North Helgoland client.

I developed a digital twins application for Hamburg city using CesiumJS for the Digital Twins module. Using photorealistic 3D tiles, I created a digital replica of the city. I then integrated real-time air quality data and water level data from river gauges. This allowed me to simulate floods dynamically. “It was very exciting working on these topics. Each moment provided a chance to learn something new.”

I appreciated the open and collaborative work culture at 52°North, with a flat hierarchy and quick feedback cycles. My colleagues were always approachable and ready to guide me whenever I was stuck with a task. I also found the freedom to experiment with and test new ideas within the scope of my projects particularly rewarding. Throughout the sxi month internship, I gained hands-on experience with technologies such as Git, Arduino, Docker, Cesium and technical writing. I also deepened my understanding of IoT and OGC standards such as SensorThings API and MQTT, moving beyond theoretical knowledge into practical applications.

After my internship, I continue to work as a student assistant in the OER4SDI project. I also plan to write a thesis for my master’s program. Looking ahead, I envision a future as a research software developer. I am inspired to contribute to projects that leverage spatial data sharing and interoperable formats to solve current global challenges.