One - day workshop on “Geospatial Technology”
7th April 2017
A One - day workshop on “Geospatial Technology” was organized by AGI Chapter , Dronacharya College of Engineering on 7th April, 2017. Dr. Yogita Shukla, Associate Executive, Association of Geospatial Industries (AGI) was the Recourse Person of the workshop. 2nd & 3rd Year students from Civil Engineering Department, DCE, attended the workshop.
Dr. Yogita Shukla began the lecture with the introduction of Geospatial Technologies. She explained Geospatial Technologies are a term used to describe the range of modern tools contributing to the geographic mapping and analysis of the Earth and human societies. These technologies have been evolving in same since the first maps were drawn in prehistoric times. Computers allowed storage and transfer of imagery together with the development of associated digital software, maps, and data sets on socio economic and environmental phenomena, collectively called geographic information systems (GIS). An important aspect of a GIS is its ability to assemble the range of geospatial data into a layered set of maps which allow complex themes to be analyzed and then communicated to wider audiences. This ‘layering’ is enabled by the fact that all such data includes information on its precise location on the surface of the Earth, hence the term ‘geospatial’.
Further Dr. Shukla explained the types of geospatial technologies potentially applicable to human rights, including the following:
Remote Sensing: imagery and data collected from space- or airborne camera and sensor platforms. Some commercial satellite image providers now offer images showing details of one-meter or smaller, making these images appropriate for monitoring humanitarian needs and human rights abuses.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS): a suite of software tools for mapping and analyzing data which is georeferenced (assigned a specific location on the surface of the Earth, otherwise known as geospatial data). GIS can be used to detect geographic patterns in other data, such as disease clusters resulting from toxins, sub-optimal water access, etc.
Internet Mapping Technologies: software programs like Google Earth and web features like Microsoft Virtual Earth are changing the way geospatial data is viewed and shared. The developments in user interface are also making such technologies available to a wider audience whereas traditional GIS have been reserved for specialists and those who invest time in learning complex software programs.
In the end of the lecture there was a question and answer session in which participants cleared their doubts.
The lecture was a new experience and a good learning opportunity for the students as well as for the faculties.