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THE ROLE OF GEOMATICS ENGINEERING EDUCATION FOR NATIONAL

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 Proceedings of the 2011 International Symposium on Advanced Engineering

THE ROLE OF GEOMATICS ENGINEERING EDUCATION FOR

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
A case of Geomatics education in Kathmandu University (KU), Nepal

Subash Ghimire

Faculty, Department of Civil and Geomatics Engineering, Kathmandu University

Dhulikhel, Kavre, NEPAL, Post box: 6250
subash_ghimire@ku.edu.np

ABSTRACT

This paper aims to promote the need of Geomatics education and draw attention of all national and
international Geo -information community for their contributions to promote Geomatics Education in
developing countries. The cost effective and reliable information is necessary for physical planning and
infrastructure development. Every development activities rely on appropriate technology, sound policy
and accurate and reliable information system. It provides essential and adequate grounds for overall
development and the base of spatial information is Geomatics engineering. The economic growth of any
country involves the development of natural resources, construction of large public works projects and the
expansion of urban centers. This growth requires trained personnel to locate and map physical features on
the land, determine property boundaries for titles to property, perform surveys to locate and build
transportation systems and layout large industrial complexes. To make it a leader course in Nepal and also
within the region in the future, KU has to overcome many challenges. Some challenges may be addressed
within the country but some require attendance and cooperation from the countries abroad. Finally,
Geomatics education helps to develop quality geo-professionals which in turn may incorporate the entire
South Asia region as a potential Geo-market.

Keywords: Geomatics Engineering, National Development, Kathmandu University

1. INTRODUCTION [1]. It is an exciting and new grouping of

Geomatics Engineering (GE) is a modern
discipline that integrates the acquisition,
processing, modeling, analysis, display and
management of spatially referenced data i.e. data
identified according to their locations. It
provides training in the collection, analysis,
storage, distribution and application of spatial or
three-dimensional data used in land
development. Based on the scientific framework
of geodesy, it uses terrestrial, marine, airborne,
and satellite-based sensors to acquire spatial and
other data.
This program was known as "Surveying
Technology" prior to mid 90's. Geomatics is a
term that is currently used by educational
institutions, governments and private industry
subjects in the spatial and environmental
information sciences with a broad range of
employment opportunities as well as offering
challenging pure and applied research problems
in a vast range of interdisciplinary fields. It goes
beyond commonly known or traditional areas of
surveying and mapping and includes a much
wider range of activities and the use of rapidly
changing technologies that relate to collecting
and managing information [1, 2].
The economic growth of any country involves
the development of natural resources,
construction of large public works projects and
the expansion of urban centers. This growth
requires trained personnel to locate and map
physical features on the land, determine property
boundaries for titles to property, perform

219
 Proceedings of the 2011 International Symposium on Advanced Engineering
surveys to locate and build transportation
systems and layout large industrial complexes
such as refineries, dam sites, power, pipelines
and surface and underground mining operations.
Geomatics education is a tool to take off the
development actions that directs to social
transformation [3]. It has various applications
such as land administration and management,
crime control and conflict, environmental
management, disaster management etc. The
availability of adequate Geo spatial data is a key
prerequisite for social and economical
development and sustainable economic growth
[4].
The Geomatics Engineering Technology
emphasizes the use of new technology for data
collection including electronic equipment for
measuring, earth circling satellites for
positioning, and computers for processing data
and generating plans that are used in a wide
variety of professional disciplines.
Geomatics Engineering students study surveying
techniques for land, cadastral, aerial, mining,
and engineering survey. They serve society by
collecting, monitoring, archiving, and
maintaining diverse spatial data infrastructures.
Geomatics engineers utilize a wide range of
technologically advanced tools such as digital
thedolite/distance meter total stations, Global
Positioning System (GPS) equipment, digital
aerial imagery (both satellite and air-borne), and
computer-based geographic information systems
(GIS). These tools enable the Geomatics
Engineer to gather, analyze, and manage
spatially related information to solve a wide
range of technical and societal problems.
Various institutions such as Government
ministries and Departments, Nepal Army, Nepal
Police, Nepal Electricity Authority, private
hydropower companies, private sector in
infrastructure development activities and
Consulting companies require Geomatics
engineers in the country. Similarly, they can be
employed at National, International NGO and in
international job market. Further education in
GIS, Remote Sensing, Geo informatics,
specialized area of Civil Engineering
(Surveying), Planning and Land Administration
can be carried out in the future [1,2].
220
The important areas of research in Geomatics
Engineering are remote sensing, digital image
processing, Geographic Information System,
physical Geodesy, Photogrammetry: Analytical
and Digital, GPS Surveys: Static, Differential
and Real Time, Computer Cartography, Mobile
Mapping, Land Administration etc [5].
The main objective of this paper is to promote
the need of Geomatics education and draw
attention of all national and international Geo
information community for their contributions to
promote Geomatics Education in developing
countries.
2. STATUS OF GEOMATICS
ENGINEERING EDUCATION: AN
OVERVIEW
Several Universities in United States, Europe
and India are offering courses in Surveying,
mapping and Geomatics Engineering. In Nepal,
mainly Land Management Training Center
(LMTC) which is one of the members under the
umbrella of National Mapping Organization of
Nepal under the Ministry of Land Reform and
Management is established to produce the
skillful surveying and mapping professionals
within the country acquiring entire knowledge in
Land management and Land Administration.
LMTC is offering two types of regular courses
and several short courses; Basic Survey course
and Junior Survey course. Similarly, School of
Geomatics which was established in 1999 in
affiliation to council for technical education and
training (CTEVT) is a private institution
providing education in the field of surveying and
mapping. Since its establishing, the school has
been working at human resource development in
the field of surveying and spatial information
application at different levels. It is offering
Diploma in Survey Engineering, TSLC in
Survey Engineering (surveyor), and Short term
and tailored made course on surveying/mapping,
GIS, GPS and Land Information system [5].
Besides these, KU in collaboration with LMTC
has initiated the undergraduate (Four Years)
Geomatics Engineering program in 2007.
 Proceedings of the 2011 International Symposium on Advanced Engineering
3. CASE OF KATHMANDU UNIVERSITY
Kathmandu University (KU) was established in
November 1991 as an autonomous, non for
profit, non government, dedicated to maintain
high standards of academic excellence, public
institution through private initiative. The
university is committed to develop leaders in
professional areas through quality education
with the vision “To become a World Class
University devoted to bringing knowledge and
technology to the service of mankind” [6]. It is
committed not only to develop leaders in
professional areas through quality education but
also develop as a centre of excellence. Long
term presence of the university is also intended
to benefit the local communities in terms of
development of small scale business and
community services.
Under the University there are six schools:
School of Engineering, School of Management,
School of Science, School of Arts, School of
Medical Sciences and School of Education.
Departments are headed by school. Currently,
Geomatics Engineering lies under the
Department of Civil and Geomatics Engineering
within the umbrella of School of Engineering of
Kathmandu University.
4. GEOMATICS ENGINEERING IN KU
This section is discussed on the following
subsections.
4.1 RETROSPECT
The Geomatics engineering program was
initiated in August 2007 with the aim to produce
qualified academic manpower in the field of
surveying, mapping and Land administration
and to conduct and promote research and
development activities in the field of surveying,
mapping and land administration/ management
[1, 2]. The first batch student has completed
their course and some of them are already
employed in various institutions. Regarding
current administrative status of Geomatics
program, the first MOU between KU and LMTC
under the framework of which, the Geomatics
221
program has been running is now completed and
a new MOU is still to be signed by both the
parties. Under completed MOU, Ministry of
Land Reforms and Management have provided
financial support for 7 years for four batches. In
this case 75% of total fee is waived for 24
students. It is well known fact that today the
Geomatics field has become very important as it
is the program which deals with land. In context
of Nepal, land issues are very critical and service
delivery in land is poor as well as in country
level administration, management and planning
of land are not yet meet into satisfactory level.
In this situation to produce qualified human
resources in this field become very vital. The
regular academic session is running in one room
provided at KU sharing with department of
Languages and mass communication under
School of Arts and two rooms provided at
LMTC.The library facilities and sports facilities
are available at KU and LMTC. The survey
equipments, computer lab for remote Sensing
and Geodesy are available at LMTC. Similarly,
computer Lab for computer programming, GIS
lab and conference lab for provision for e-
learning are available at KU. The course
syllabus of BE Geomatics Engineering program
is consistently revised by the Subject Committee
with due consideration of feedback from
students and stakeholders including industries
every year. This engineering program have
strong component of field survey training
equivalent to 4.5 months in 4 years program [1,
2].
4.2 PROSPECT
KU is planning to start two year’s Master degree
program in Land Administration. The
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
between Kathmandu University, School of
Engineering, Nepal and University of Twente,
Faculty of Geo -Information Science and Earth
Observation, the Netherlands has already signed
to initiate the MSc in Land Administration. KU
has given priority in the following areas of
research in Geomatics Engineering. They are
remote sensing, digital image processing,
Geographic Information System, physical
Geodesy, Photogrammetry: Analytical, Digital
and Closs Range, GPS Surveys: Static,
 Proceedings of the 2011 International Symposium on Advanced Engineering

Differential and Real Time, Computer short term and long term. The short term vision
Cartography, Mobile Mapping, Land is to continue the Geomatics Program with
Administration etc. The admission experience at quality output. The long term vision is to head
KU shows that there is a huge demand for this
towards research oriented MSc and PhD courses
program in Nepal. Recently to develop pathway
how to take the Geomatics program in future [5]. Geomatics Engineering program in KU has
and to make the program better, some important set following future plan to fulfill its vision.
activities has been conducted. The list of the
activities is as follows: Mid Term evaluation of • To start MSc in land administration in
Geomatics Program, Steering Committee partnership with KU and ITC/UT. The
Meeting and Interaction Program. Since the plan is to develop the multidisciplinary
MOU which was signed between KU and course such that the intake can be from
LMTC (Land Management Training Centre) was multidisciplinary background.
came to end by awarding the scholarship to the • To strengthen the capacity of the faculty
last batch thus completing the one cycle of the by providing opportunity of higher study
activities as set in MOU, it was important to • To emphasize the research work.
have the interaction with all government and non • To develop the intern opportunity for
government stakeholders who have made a great Geomatics students in related industries.
contribution for the success of this program and • To initiate towards PhD
to get a feedback and suggestion to take this
course smoothly in the near future. The 4.3 MAJOR CHALLENGES OF GE
discussion regarding the continuation of the PROGRAM AT KU
program has been taken seriously and its The major challenges of Geomatics Engineering
continuation at KU has been highlighted as it program of Kathmandu University are
seems more feasible and justifiable to run the highlighted as follows.
course jointly with LMTC. a) Infrastructure development and use
· Physical facilities
KU has set vision for Geomatics program “To - Arrangements/ preparing
become centre of excellence by providing another MOU for longer use.
quality education and research for leadership in - National/ International support
the Land sector with joint cooperation with for construction of new Block.
government” · Hardware and software
Geographical and Earth sciences are relying - Adding new Geo-ICT aids
increasingly on Digital Spatial Data which is - Maintenance and updating
acquired from remotely sensed images, analyses · Logistical supports
- Teaching support materials
using GIS, distributed through complex
- Other logistical supports
infrastructure and visualized on computer screen b) Providing quality education
or paper. In this aspect technological supports · Development of compatible
alone are not sufficient to fulfill the requirement course structure
of geographical and earth science. Organization · Compatible Syllabus contents
requires scientific staff with technical skills. · Internet accessibility
Hence, the vision for Geomatics engineering is c) Delivery of course
to provide quality education for leadership in the · Faculty expansion
- Full and part time
field of Geo-Science and ultimately to land
- Visiting experts
sector. Since technical human resources are not (national/international)
only sufficient to provide the quality services in · Human resource development
the land sector, expertise in this sector are - Specialized trainings
required. Therefore, vision is categorized into - Advanced education i.e.
M.Sc.and PhDs.

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 Proceedings of the 2011 International Symposium on Advanced Engineering
· Knowledge exchange programs
- Internship of students
d) Enhancing private/ private and private/
public understanding and support at both
national and international level for
running the program.
e) Educating stakeholders within and
abroad (South Asia region)
f) Expansion of further higher education
and job market
- Opening M.Sc. and PhDs
(academic degrees)
- Opening research and development
programs (professional degrees)
g) Sustainability of the program
The sustainability of the program is still
transitional. This year the first batch of
Geomatics Engineering has come to the
market. The skills and their
compatibility in the organization make a
pathway for the coming generation.
Since the program being new in the
context of Nepal as well as its
importance in the market is still to be
tested, the future candidates might not
get well attracted. Therefore, there is a
need of continued financial support for
the students [7, 8].
5. CONCLUSION
Geomatics Engineering is one of a career
without boundaries. It plays very
important role for the economic growth
by poverty alleviations and raising
livelihood of the people in developing
nations. It plays a pivotal role and offers
the great functionality, as a science of
visualization for the geo spatial
information related to almost all of the
disciplines. Therefore, it is essential to
promote the need of Geomatics
education and draw attention of all
national and international Geo
information community for their
contributions in developing countries.
The strategies should be designed to leap
and come up with the pace of developed
223
View publication stats
countries, not always fall behind but to
walk hand in hand. To make it a leader
course in Nepal and also within the
region in the future, KU has to overcome
many challenges. Some challenges may
be addressed within the country but
some require attendance and support
from the international community.
Finally, Geomatics education helps to
develop quality geo-professionals which
in turn may incorporate the entire South
Asia region as a potential Geo-market.
REFERENCES
1. Kathmandu University,
http//www.ku.edu.np/, accessed on
October 10, 2011.
2. Kathmandu University Geomatics
Engineering brochure (2011).
3. K.B. Shrestha and K. Sharma.
Geomatics Education: Gateway to
National development, paper presented
on workshop (November 19-23) on
Curriculum development for BE
Geomatics Engineering (2008),
Kathmandu University.
4. K. Tempfli, an Academic Vision on the
BE in Geomatics Course, paper
presented on workshop (November 19-
23) on Curriculum development for BE
Geomatics Engineering (2008),
Kathmandu University.
5. KU & LMTC, proposal for funding to
Geomatics Engineering, proposal
submitted to MOLRM (2011).
6. S. Ghimire,” KU Courts Communities”,
the Kathmandu Post, Volume XIX
(2011) No.171.
7. B. Thapa, Geomatics Engineering
Education in Nepal, School of
Engineering, Kathmandu University
(2007), paper presented in KU.
8. N. Bhattarai, Geomatics Engineering
Education in Kathmandu University:
Issues and Challenges, 7th FIG Regional
Conference Spatial Data Serving
People: Land Governance and the
Environment – Building the Capacity
Hanoi, Vietnam (2009), 19-22October.