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DHIS2 Server Administration Academy

Join HISP UiO and HISP Sri Lanka at this hands-on Academy to develop a range of skills and gain knowledge of possible approaches required to install and maintain the DHIS2 software in a variety of country settings.

Format

In Person

Location

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Start date

18 Aug 2025

End date

22 Aug 2025

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    Academy Overview

    The HISP Centre at the University of Oslo, HISP Sri Lanka and HISP Asia are pleased to invite you to join us for the DHIS2 Academy on Server Administration from 18-22 August 2025 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

    During this Academy you will develop a range of skills and gain knowledge of possible approaches required to install and maintain the DHIS2 software in a variety of country settings.

    The course facilitators will share best practices and real-world experiences, and guide you through practical exercises to help optimize your server configuration.

    Register Now

    Participants Profile

    The ideal audience for this Academy includes Server Administrators who are responsible for managing both the server(s) and DHIS2 instance(s) that contribute to an implementation or configuration. This includes security updates, performance monitoring and applying DHIS2 version upgrades. Their role is crucial to ensuring DHIS2 can be acessed and is working well. A server administrator may do these tasks directly or work with a service provider to perform these activities.

    Prerequisites

    This Academy is not meant to be an introduction to Linux. The following skills are required to attend:

    • Basic familiarity with Ubuntu Linux operating systems
    • Basic familiarity with the use of ssh with keys
    • Being involved in DHIS2 system administration

    Format & Learning Outcomes

    Themes of this Academy include:

    • Essentials of linux server administration, including use of ssh for access and unix fundamentals
    • Overview of DHIS2 architecture, including its dependencies and installation options
    • Overview of various logging, monitoring and alerting tools
    • Overview of security concerns, concepts, standards, and technical tools (including special concerns for personal data in Tracker programs)
    • Discussions on “next-generation” features of DHIS2 and their implications for server administration

    In this Academy, you will learn how to:

    • Manage implementations securely
    • Configure and manage advanced PostgreSQL configurations
    • Run and create simple ansible playbooks
    • Monitor and assess infrastructural readiness for DHIS2
    • Understand principles and tools related to reverse proxy tools
    • Learn from one another’s experience

    This Academy is designed to meet the requirements of a broad audience and there are clear restrictions in scope. In particular we will not be addressing issues of hardware management, nor particular virtualization platforms.

    Note: All practical work will be done on the Ubuntu server linux distribution

    Your Facilitation Team

    A practical training program will make sure the facilitators and participants can work together on learning the principles and skills for server administration. With an emphasis on experience and solution sharing among countries and to promote networking and collaboration among DHIS2 implementers in the region, this academy will include several global and regional DHIS2 experts where you will be able to discuss your requirements and implementations during the academy.

    Bob Joliffe

    Bob has over 30 years experience working with information systems in Africa, including the past 10 years with the global HISP project. His particular areas of technical interest are security, architecture, interoperability and standards. He is passionate about strengthening the capability of the public sector within countries to better appropriate their health information systems. The development of the level 2 server academy is strongly linked to this aim. Alongside working as an implementation engineer for the HISP project, Bob is also a member of the openMRS advisory council and the openHIE architecture review board. He also represents UiO on technical committees in standards for a such as the IHE (Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise).

    Tito Kipkurgat

    Tito is a highly experienced Linux systems administrator with over a decade of hands-on expertise, particularly in deploying and managing DHIS2 web applications in production environments. His deep understanding of Linux server architecture, combined with strong skills in automation using Ansible, makes him a key resource in server provisioning, performance tuning, and security hardening. At HISP University of Oslo, Tito leads DHIS2 server support operations, including the development of Ansible-based DHIS2 server tools, and has successfully supported numerous in-country deployments. He has extensive experience with PostgreSQL and Tomcat, essential components of DHIS2, and is adept at containerization (Docker, LXC/LXD), traffic filtering (iptables/nftables), and server monitoring with Zabbix and Grafana. Tito’s work reflects a strong commitment to stability, scalability, and secure Linux-based DHIS2 infrastructure.

    Baboucarr Ceesay

    Baboucarr discovered his passion for cybersecurity at 14, developing his technical skills by exploring wireless network security and mobile device protection mechanisms. He was introduced to Linux through security via BackTrack 4, the then go-to Linux security distribution. Since then he has transitioned into ethical hacking, acquired security certifications, and specialized in application security.
    Apart from security, Baboucarr has years of experience in software development, building and maintaining complex, large-scale software systems for both government and enterprise clients. He also has a DevOps background and has worked with containerization and virtualization technologies (Docker, LXC/LXD, Vagrant), configuration management tools like Ansible, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools like Terraform, and CI/CD processes and pipelines both at DHIS2 and on other large-scale projects.
    In his free time, he loves reading, traveling, working out, and practicing martial arts.

    Fees & Registration

    Registration for this three-day Academy costs USD 500, and includes the following:

    • Access to the Academy material
    • Daily coffee breaks
    • Lunch breaks

    Register Now

    Venue & Accommodation

    Location

    Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka

    https://maps.app.goo.gl/9scihz3kSRZzaH918

    Accommodation

    It is recommended that you stay at the venue, Galle Face Hotel. Other hotels are also available within Colombo.

    Travel Information

    Airport and airlines

    The largest airport in Sri Lanka is Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Sri Lankan Airlines is the national flagship carrier operating to and from Colombo-Bandaranayake International Airport.

    The airlines that fly to Colombo are listed here: https://www.airport.lk/flight_info/list_of_airlines.php

    With increased air service to Sri Lanka from Europe, the Middle East and Asia, there are many competitive airfares available.

    Invitations

    The event organisers will issue support letters, if required, only to those delegates who have registered for the academy.

    Immigration and visas

    Visitors to Sri Lanka from many countries can obtain visa on arrival after obtaining electronic travel authorization at https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/ where the applications are approved usually within 24 hours.

    Time zone

    GMT+2

    Climate

    In Colombo during August, the weather is generally warm and humid with temperatures averaging around 29°C (84°F). While it’s a relatively dry month compared to some other periods, expect some rainy days averaging of 48 mm of rainfall.

    Currency

    Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)

    Banking and ATM

    ATMs are located in many places (especially at bank branches) in the cities and suburbs, less so in the countryside. You can withdraw from debit cards too (Cirrus, Maestro, Visa Electron etc.) where the logos are displayed. There are coins for 1 rupee, 2 rupees, 5 rupees and 10 rupees. Banknotes ranging from LKR 20 – 5000.

    VISA and MASTERCARD are the most widely accepted. JCB and AMERICAN EXPRESS are also accepted in some outlets. Many hotels, commercial centers, shops and restaurants accept credit cards. Check with the cashier before making any purchases. Bear in mind that some places apply a surcharge for credit card purchases. Check the percentage charged before you pay.

    Official language

    Sinhala and Tamil languages are both Official and National Languages in Sri Lanka while English is widely used.

    Electricity

    230 – 240 volts, 50Hz AC. Power sockets are of type D and G.

    Health care

    Sri Lanka has a well-established healthcare system with a wide network of public hospitals, private hospitals, and medical centers across the country. In case of any medical need during your stay, quality healthcare services are accessible. Emergency services are available 24/7, and most facilities have English-speaking medical staff.

    Leisure and Attractions

    Colombo, the vibrant capital city of Sri Lanka, is a treasure trove of attractions and leisure activities. Explore the historic charm of the city with visits to landmarks such as the stunning Gangaramaya Temple and the Old Dutch Hospital, which has been transformed into a lively shopping and dining precinct. Stroll along the iconic Galle Face Green, a waterfront promenade perfect for leisurely walks, and take in the stunning sunsets over the Indian Ocean.

    For culture enthusiasts, the National Museum and the Independence Memorial Hall offer insights into Sri Lanka’s rich heritage. Shoppers can explore the bustling markets of Pettah and Odel Shopping Mall for unique finds and souvenirs.

    Colombo’s dining scene is a culinary adventure, with a wide array of restaurants serving delectable Sri Lankan cuisine, as well as international dishes. Don’t miss the opportunity to savor fresh seafood at seaside eateries.

    Additionally, the city boasts a vibrant nightlife, with numerous bars, clubs, and casinos offering entertainment well into the night. Colombo is a city that seamlessly blends tradition with modernity, making it a dynamic and captivating destination for leisure and exploration.

    You may visit www.srilanka.travel or Tripadvisor for more information.

    Contact Us

    Should you have additional questions about the DHIS2 Academy in Sri Lanka, please contact the DHIS2 Academy team at:

    Terms & Conditions

    Please review our Terms & Conditions, which apply to every person registering as a participant for a DHIS2 Academy.