A Talk on Geospatial Technologies at USTM
12th Feb, 2018 133A Huge market lying ahead in GEOSPATIAL Technologies – Dr. K K Das
February 12th, 2018, USTM, Ri Bhoi : With a heavy turn - out of students, the Department of Earth Science, University of Science & Technology Meghalaya hosted a Talk on ‘Geospatial Technology and Its Applications’, delivered by renowned former scientist from Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Dehradun, Dr. Kunal Kumar Das. Dr. Das was warmly welcomed by Dr. R K Sharma, VC, USTM and other faculty members including HoD, Dr. Jnanshree Borah. Dr. Jnanshree Brah, HoD, Department of Earth Science in her introductory lecture reminded the students how the two most segments in the syllabus mainly Geo-informatics and GIS (Geographical Information System) are so useful for students as new job openings are coming up with the advancement of new technologies and expertise required for that matter. Dr. R K Sharma, VC, USTM also analyzed how geospatial technologies can be helpful not just for protecting the Earth and all its inhabitants from environmental hazards or any such disaster, rather would enable us to manage disaster by way of putting us on alert.
While delivering his talk, Dr. K K Das started with a basic information what Geospatial Technology involves such as GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing) and how this technology offers a radically different way in which we can produce and use maps required to manage our communities and industries. He then went on clarifying how Remote Sensing Mechanism operates and how it can be used for avoiding any sort of natural disaster by sending alert to the people of that particular area. Herein lies the importance of the satellite imagery and geospatial data collected from satellite sensors or airborne cameras. Some commercial satellite image can produce details of 30 centimeters. Satellite imagery greatly enhances a GIS mapping project and serves as a source of information and data to support analysis and classification for geospatial assessment and modeling. Thereafter, he touched on Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a mechanism used for mapping tools for analysis of geospatial data which is geo referenced and how GIS can be used to support environmental management for natural hazards and disasters, global climate change, natural resources, wildlife, land cover and many other applications. Global Positioning System (GPS): satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit to collect coordinates locations. Citing examples of different case studies across the globe on regional planning, hazard management, wild life and social sciences, Dr. Das also reminded the students how the inventions of these technologies has revolutionized the entire scenario of space related research experimentation as well as its applications in different service sectors including social sciences.
The program ended with the interactive sessions with the students whose queries were answered so elaborately and he urged them that they must opt for further studies on Geospatial technologies as a huge market is lying ahead in the business sector.
