http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2217/stories/20050826002209400.htm
R. RAMACHANDRAN
Implementation of the Government of India's map dissemination policy easing restrictions on free public access to topographic data has been delayed apparently because detailed guidelines have been blocked by objections from the Ministry of Defence.
N.SRIDHARAN
Cable being laid for a private telecommunication network in Chennai. GIS applications for development projects will get a boost with the availability of digital maps of the Survey of India.
IT is more than two months since the announcement of the new map policy, which allows complete public access to geographic data contained in the topographic maps of the Survey of India (SoI) of all regions of the country and at all scales, including for the purpose of their digitisation and dissemination. It took several years for the government to allow this kind of access since the demand for the same began to be made by the Geographic Information System (GIS) industry, one of the main users of the topographic information for developmental projects involving spatial data. But the detailed guidelines required to make the policy operational have not yet been issued, much to the disappointment of theGIS industry.
Apparently, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has raised some issues with regard to data pertaining to border areas and the coastal line being made available openly. Restrictions on free access to topographic data (Frontline, October 27, 2000) were in place essentially because of the security concerns of the MoD, the prime user of the data as well as the regulating authority for the map dissemination policy until now. This is indeed surprising because the new map policy, which was evolved in consultation with the MoD (Frontline, February 3, 2001) and which the Cabinet cleared on May 19, has been designed to take care of these.
According to the new policy there will be two series of maps: Defence Series Maps (DSMs) and Open Series Maps (OSMs), a sanitised version where sensitive data, such as military/civil Vulnerable Areas and Vulnerable Points (V.As/V.Ps) and other related data, are removed. The latter will be with respect to a different reference frame and different projection parameters. The DSMs and OSMs will constitute what will be known as the National Topographic Data Base (NTDB). Both V.S Ramamurthy, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST) under which the Survey of India functions, and M. Gopal Rao, the Surveyor-General of India, hope that matters will be sorted out soon and guidelines issued within a month or so.
The existing government restrictions on categories of topographic data (in terms of scales and geographical areas) of the Survey of India maps are governed by an April 15, 1968, notification of the MoD. In effect, this restricts public access to topographic maps of only about 40 per cent of the country's area up to scales of 1:25,000. In the remaining three-fifths of the country, the public has access only to maps of scales less than 1:1 million except in the coastal belt south of 20<108,SYM,176> where the 1:1 million scale is also unrestricted. To access and use the restricted categories of `topomaps', a cumbersome bureaucratic procedure is involved, which includes clearance from the MoD, and an annual certification of continued possession of the accessed data and their use in the ongoing project.
Dissemination of digital data based on the Survey of India topomaps is, however, even more restricted. It is governed by the MoD's Office Memorandum of July 13, 1998. This order was aimed ostensibly at facilitating access to digital topographic data through designated government agencies instead of the hitherto centralised control vested with the Survey of India. In effect, this prevented digitisation of even unrestricted maps by any other individual or agency.
But the new map policy too has been in the works almost since then. As a result, this order has not been implemented, and none of the agencies has so far entered into any MoU with any organisation till date. Also the Kasturirangan Committee, constituted to draw up the guidelines for this arrangement, did not come out with its recommendations soon enough after the order. Effectively, therefore, the situation with regard to access to digital geographic data has remained the same as it was before July 1998. That is, the Survey of India was the only agency authorised to undertake digitisation of its toposheets or its ground survey data. A result of this restriction was the unfortunate incident of an official of the Gujarat Forest and Environment Department being held in 2000 for passing on some restricted maps of regions of Gujarat to a private agency for digitisation.
All this is expected to change following the new policy, and the availability of high quality spatial data should aid GIS applications in infrastructure development. But only if the fresh issues raised by the MoD, which relate to the demarcated area of 50 km inside the coastal line or border, are resolved satisfactorily. In fact, many ongoing developmental projects are within this area and would need digitised topographic data throughGIS or otherwise.
The frequently made arguments that high-resolution maps of the Indian region are available on the Internet and from other sources based on satellite imagery are not valid. For one, if they are available freely from other sources, then why all the hullabaloo about restrictions put by the Indian government? The problem is of accuracy and cost. Maps available off the net are based on `raster scan' images and are not `vectorised', which is necessary forGIS application.
Two, any satellite imagery, whatever be its resolution, has to be fixed to a base map based on ground truth measurements for proper orientation. But the accuracy of image products and maps based on remote-sensed data depends on the accuracy of their `geo-coding'. This geo-coding is based on `ground control points (GCPs)' read off base maps of the Survey of India that are used to orient and fix the satellite imagery. Accurate ground control data are held confidential by the Survey of India.
The base maps and GCP data used by the NRSA's for its thematic maps are the Survey of India's 1:50,000 maps. With these, the location accuracy that the NRSA thematic maps achieve is only about 50 metres. The accuracy of maps from foreign sources will be even less because they do not have access to accurate GCP data and usually they are geo-referenced with respect to different `geodetic datum' whose coordination will be relatively shifted with respect to the Survey of India's coordinates. For instance, all GPS measurements, instead of geodetic measurements on a datum like the Everest Spheroid, will be on WGS-84, whose points would have a relative shift with respect to the Everest.
According to the new policy, the DSMs, the defence series of maps, will be on the Everest datum as well as the WGS-84 datum with `polyconical/Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) projection on various scales and with full accuracy with regard to heights, contours and other features. These will cater to the national security and military requirements. This series, both in analogue and digital format, will be classified and their access will be governed by MoD guidelines.
The OSMs, on the other hand, will be brought out and regulated exclusively by the Survey of India. These will have a different categorisation and will be based on WGS-84 and UTM projection. Each of these OSMs, both in hard copy and digital form, will become "unrestricted" after obtaining a one-line clearance from the MoD.
The usual procedure to go from one reference frame to another is to make use of certain transformation parameters and obtain transformed GCPs and coordination therefrom. Until about a few years ago, apparently accurate transformation parameters for the Indian datum were not available with the Survey of India. According to experts, these were perhaps based on (Doppler) measurements in the neighbourhood region. However, since the decision to bring out separate civilian and military series of maps was taken in 2001, accurate measurements of the transformation parameters have been made and appropriate seamless integration of the various regions has been carried out for going from Everest to WGS-84. The time taken to actually announce the policy is perhaps for this reason.
The Survey of India will be the certifying authority for the use of OSMs, such as procedure for access, further dissemination, value addition and "publication" in hard or soft form (on the Web or as part of aGIS ), though the issuance of detailed guidelines seems to have hit an MoD roadblock. A requirement, the implementation of which can get into cumbersome bureaucracy again, is an agreement with the Survey of India for further dissemination by the user agency (with or without value addition) and maintenance of a Map Transaction Registry for every transaction effected.
Although not explicitly clarified in the policy document, the statement that "(the earlier MoD) instructions will continue to hold good but for the modifications cited herein" should logically imply that the July 1998 order (requiring memoranda of understanding with nine agencies) continues to be valid if any agency wishes to access data on the Everest Spheroid, say for reasons of consistency and continuity with earlier use of data by it.
An interesting aspect of the DSMs is that the MoD too will have a series of maps based on WGS-84. According to Gopal Rao, owing to the easy availability of GPS-based measurements, the MoD too expressed interest in maps on the WGS-84 datum. With the removal of "scrambling" by the United States Department of Defence as of May 1, 2001, easy precise positional survey on WGS-84 (based on differential GPS) has become possible and could be used even for defence applications where absolute accuracy may not be needed. Besides, it also helps to monitor the WGS-84-based series of toposheets (with or without value addition) in circulation.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
GIS - merging with everyone's life
THERE'S a silent revolution going on in the midst of much gloom in the field of Information Technology. It's a revolution that touches our lives in myriad ways- from the rates we pay for utility services to the quality of our roadways. It can help prevent famine, blight, and pestilence. It can influence the speed with which emergency vehicles react to our calls and how quickly criminals are put behind bars. It has played an influential role in the scheduling and fighting of wars and then rebuilding war-torn communities. It is being used for applications as far flung as finding offending taxpayers, developing pizza delivery routes, and setting up insurance rates. The basis for this silent revolution is a technology called Geographic Information Systems - or GIS.
GIS is a system of hardware, software and procedures designed for support, capture, management, manipulation, analysis, modeling and display of spatially referenced data, for solving complex planning and management problems.
Application areas
The application of GIS is vast. A person with the following background is an ideal candidate for learning and working in the GIS field.
*Natural resource management
*Environmental planning
*Local & municipal authorities
*Emergency management
*Military commands
*Transportation management
*Socio-Economic development
*Urban development
*Public utility works
*Business applications
Students of civil engineering, geography, geology, sociology, soil science, surveying, urban planning, and remote sensing can opt for this field. GIS facilitates students by providing better career opportunities in these fields and makes them acquainted with both conventional and digital environment subjects. Further, the increasing demand for latest GIS technology like Mobile Mapping, Internet GIS, Application Development, high-end GIS database structure and Virtual GIS is attracting students from electronic & communication, electrical, mechanical and computer engineering background to enter this field.
Study centres and qualification
The Institute of Remote Sensing at Anna University, Chennai, has a four-year engineering degree program (B.E) in Geo-informatics apart from masters programs in Remote Sensing and M.E in Geo- informatics. Students who have secured a higher second class in 10+2 can appear for the common entrance exam to be admitted into the undergraduate courses. Many institutes in India offer a postgraduate diploma in the subject and also in remote sensing.
The Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), Dehradun has trained more than 4200 professionals in the field of remote sensing and GIS. The Centre for Spatial Information Technology in JNTU, Hyderabad is another professional body involved in GIS education. Many colleges like IIT Mumbai, IIT Kanpur, Roorkee University, REC Warangal offer GIS at the Masters level. Selection for these programmes is through a common entrance test and almost all institutes permit students from multi-disciplinary subjects for their Masters level programme.
However, some of the institutes take only students with an Electronic and Computer Science background, Geo Science and B.A/B.Sc in geography.
Apart from the regular courses, many institutes like the Indian Space Research organisation (ISRO), National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), Space Application Centre, Ahmedabad, Survey Training Institute, Hyderabad, Geological Survey of India conduct short term and long-term courses and workshops at nominal fees.
Software available
Many GIS software packages are available in the market and of course the nature of how GIS works in a particular organisation is software dependent.
The most commonly used and high demand GIS packages are ArcInfo, ArcView, AutoCAD Map, MapInfo, Geomedia, CARIS GIS, SICAD and others.
Job opportunities
Many public and private companies employ GIS graduates at various levels. Public sector organisations like ISRO, NRSA, National Informatics Centre (NIC) and other governmental departments like urban developmental authorities and municipal bodies employ GIS trained personnel based on their requirements.
However, the percentage of jobs in private companies is higher than in the government departments.
One can also pursue research in the field as a number of research companies use the technology in different areas.
The different GIS job levels are:
GIS digitisers/GIS operators
This is an entry-level job where the conversion of paper map into digital environment takes place using CAD related software. The minimum eligibility criterion is a diploma in any discipline with basic knowledge of CAD/GIS. Prior experience is not required in many cases.
GIS technicians/GIS engineers
The candidate should have a fair amount of working knowledge in any GIS software and good mapping knowledge with 1-2 years of experience.
GIS analysts
These professionals should have a basic knowledge of mapping and good skills in GIS applications and software with a few years of experience. Their duty is to examine the company's project specifications and development of new GIS tools, wherever necessary. A fair share of GIS programming skills is an advantage.
Business development managers
The candidate should have a minimum of 2-5 years of experience with good knowledge about GIS business activities. He should have worked in domestic and international market with proven abilities and an excellent track record.
GIS project manager
The candidate should have a minimum of 5 years of experience in GIS project management, database design and development, GIS application development and familiarity with current versions of GIS products. He should have a good GIS background and high qualifications.
Consultant
A consultant's primary duties are the complete analysis, design and documentation of a project. He has to work closely with business development/sales and project managers in drafting responses to RFP/tenders and preparing project proposals.
Future prospects
The scene in India for GIS is bright at present and also augurs well for the future. As per a latest report, the growth of GIS market in India was Rs 79 crores in the year 1999-2000. The exports from India are expected to reach US$150 million by year 2005. Also the increasing job opportunities in public and private sectors gives hope for the development of GIS usage in the country.
S. YOGENDRAN
opportunities@careercommunity.co.in
GIS is a system of hardware, software and procedures designed for support, capture, management, manipulation, analysis, modeling and display of spatially referenced data, for solving complex planning and management problems.
Application areas
The application of GIS is vast. A person with the following background is an ideal candidate for learning and working in the GIS field.
*Natural resource management
*Environmental planning
*Local & municipal authorities
*Emergency management
*Military commands
*Transportation management
*Socio-Economic development
*Urban development
*Public utility works
*Business applications
Students of civil engineering, geography, geology, sociology, soil science, surveying, urban planning, and remote sensing can opt for this field. GIS facilitates students by providing better career opportunities in these fields and makes them acquainted with both conventional and digital environment subjects. Further, the increasing demand for latest GIS technology like Mobile Mapping, Internet GIS, Application Development, high-end GIS database structure and Virtual GIS is attracting students from electronic & communication, electrical, mechanical and computer engineering background to enter this field.
Study centres and qualification
The Institute of Remote Sensing at Anna University, Chennai, has a four-year engineering degree program (B.E) in Geo-informatics apart from masters programs in Remote Sensing and M.E in Geo- informatics. Students who have secured a higher second class in 10+2 can appear for the common entrance exam to be admitted into the undergraduate courses. Many institutes in India offer a postgraduate diploma in the subject and also in remote sensing.
The Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), Dehradun has trained more than 4200 professionals in the field of remote sensing and GIS. The Centre for Spatial Information Technology in JNTU, Hyderabad is another professional body involved in GIS education. Many colleges like IIT Mumbai, IIT Kanpur, Roorkee University, REC Warangal offer GIS at the Masters level. Selection for these programmes is through a common entrance test and almost all institutes permit students from multi-disciplinary subjects for their Masters level programme.
However, some of the institutes take only students with an Electronic and Computer Science background, Geo Science and B.A/B.Sc in geography.
Apart from the regular courses, many institutes like the Indian Space Research organisation (ISRO), National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), Space Application Centre, Ahmedabad, Survey Training Institute, Hyderabad, Geological Survey of India conduct short term and long-term courses and workshops at nominal fees.
Software available
Many GIS software packages are available in the market and of course the nature of how GIS works in a particular organisation is software dependent.
The most commonly used and high demand GIS packages are ArcInfo, ArcView, AutoCAD Map, MapInfo, Geomedia, CARIS GIS, SICAD and others.
Job opportunities
Many public and private companies employ GIS graduates at various levels. Public sector organisations like ISRO, NRSA, National Informatics Centre (NIC) and other governmental departments like urban developmental authorities and municipal bodies employ GIS trained personnel based on their requirements.
However, the percentage of jobs in private companies is higher than in the government departments.
One can also pursue research in the field as a number of research companies use the technology in different areas.
The different GIS job levels are:
GIS digitisers/GIS operators
This is an entry-level job where the conversion of paper map into digital environment takes place using CAD related software. The minimum eligibility criterion is a diploma in any discipline with basic knowledge of CAD/GIS. Prior experience is not required in many cases.
GIS technicians/GIS engineers
The candidate should have a fair amount of working knowledge in any GIS software and good mapping knowledge with 1-2 years of experience.
GIS analysts
These professionals should have a basic knowledge of mapping and good skills in GIS applications and software with a few years of experience. Their duty is to examine the company's project specifications and development of new GIS tools, wherever necessary. A fair share of GIS programming skills is an advantage.
Business development managers
The candidate should have a minimum of 2-5 years of experience with good knowledge about GIS business activities. He should have worked in domestic and international market with proven abilities and an excellent track record.
GIS project manager
The candidate should have a minimum of 5 years of experience in GIS project management, database design and development, GIS application development and familiarity with current versions of GIS products. He should have a good GIS background and high qualifications.
Consultant
A consultant's primary duties are the complete analysis, design and documentation of a project. He has to work closely with business development/sales and project managers in drafting responses to RFP/tenders and preparing project proposals.
Future prospects
The scene in India for GIS is bright at present and also augurs well for the future. As per a latest report, the growth of GIS market in India was Rs 79 crores in the year 1999-2000. The exports from India are expected to reach US$150 million by year 2005. Also the increasing job opportunities in public and private sectors gives hope for the development of GIS usage in the country.
S. YOGENDRAN
opportunities@careercommunity.co.in
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Map your next big career option — geo-informatics
By Prashanth G N/TNN (times of india 27-july-2006, page 5)
Bangalore:
Geo-informatics — map drawing and map reading — is emerging as Bangalore’s next fascinating career option.
A great starting point to learn about maps and make a living off it is the M Tech Geo-informatics programme of the Karnataka State Remote Sensing Applications Centre.
This is the first time such a course is being offered to students. This one-of-its-kind programme, a collaboration between the Applications Centre, VTU Belgaum and Survey of India, Dehra Dun, recently saw its first batch of graduates.
The Centre’s M Tech programme, which costs around Rs 60,000, is unique not only because no other college, university or institution offers it in the state, (except Mangalore University which offers an MSc) but because the programme also integrates information technology/software and mapping, something that has never happened before in geo-informatics.
“Students are familiar with either IT or mapping. We train in both. Hence, the graduates are well-informed in both disciplines,’’ says centre director, H Honne Gowda.
The programme covers cutting edge areas like GIS, remote sensing, GPS, aerial photography, IT, artificial intelligence, data base management, project planning management and spatial data analysis.
Geo-informatics students can put these tools to good use in a wide range of areas like urban planning, management of natural resources, agriculture, land and water management and the entire range of spatial management.
“It’s a very comprehensive syllabus as we bring together a range of technological tools. Students submit a one-year intensive project work that is evaluated before giving them the degree by VTU,’’ adds Honne Gowda.
IIT Kharagpur and Anna University are the only other institutions offering a technology-driven/intensive geo-informatics programme. The technology angle is crucial. Students learn to use software for mapping — a fundamental exercise in geo-informatics — and mapping in digital environments.
Bangalore:
Geo-informatics — map drawing and map reading — is emerging as Bangalore’s next fascinating career option.
A great starting point to learn about maps and make a living off it is the M Tech Geo-informatics programme of the Karnataka State Remote Sensing Applications Centre.
This is the first time such a course is being offered to students. This one-of-its-kind programme, a collaboration between the Applications Centre, VTU Belgaum and Survey of India, Dehra Dun, recently saw its first batch of graduates.
The Centre’s M Tech programme, which costs around Rs 60,000, is unique not only because no other college, university or institution offers it in the state, (except Mangalore University which offers an MSc) but because the programme also integrates information technology/software and mapping, something that has never happened before in geo-informatics.
“Students are familiar with either IT or mapping. We train in both. Hence, the graduates are well-informed in both disciplines,’’ says centre director, H Honne Gowda.
The programme covers cutting edge areas like GIS, remote sensing, GPS, aerial photography, IT, artificial intelligence, data base management, project planning management and spatial data analysis.
Geo-informatics students can put these tools to good use in a wide range of areas like urban planning, management of natural resources, agriculture, land and water management and the entire range of spatial management.
“It’s a very comprehensive syllabus as we bring together a range of technological tools. Students submit a one-year intensive project work that is evaluated before giving them the degree by VTU,’’ adds Honne Gowda.
IIT Kharagpur and Anna University are the only other institutions offering a technology-driven/intensive geo-informatics programme. The technology angle is crucial. Students learn to use software for mapping — a fundamental exercise in geo-informatics — and mapping in digital environments.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
A nice Poem, drive responsibly
I went to a party Mom,
I remembered what you said.
You told me not to drink, Mom,
So I drank soda instead.
I really felt proud inside, Mom,
The way you said I would.
I didn't drink and drive, Mom,
Even though the others said I should.
I know I did the right thing, Mom,
I know you are always right.
Now the party is finally ending, Mom,
As everyone is driving out of sight.
As I got into my car, Mom,
I knew I'd get home in one piece.
Because of the way you raised me,
So responsible and sweet.
I started to drive away, Mom,
But as I pulled out into the road,
The other car didn't see me, Mom,
And hit me like a load.
As I lay there on the pavement, Mom,
I hear the policeman say,
"The other guy is drunk," Mom,
And now I'm the one who will pay.
I'm lying here dying, Mom....
I wish you'd get here soon.
How could this happen to me, Mom?
My life just burst like a balloon.
There is blood all around me, Mom,
And most of it is mine.
I hear the medic say, Mom,
I'll die in a short time.
I just wanted to tell you, Mom,
I swear I didn't drink.
It was the others, Mom.
The others didn't think.
He was probably at the same party as I.
The only difference is, he drank
And I will die.
Why do people drink, Mom?
It can ruin your whole life.
I'm feeling sharp pains now.
Pains just like a knife.
The guy who hit me is walking, Mom,
And I don't think it's fair.
I'm lying here dying
And all he can do is stare.
Tell my brother not to cry, Mom.
Tell Daddy to be brave.
And when I go to heaven, Mom,
Put "Daddy's Girl" on my grave.
Someone should have told him, Mom,
Not to drink and drive.
If only they had told him, Mom,
I would still be alive.
My breath is getting shorter, Mom.
I'm becoming very scared.
Please don't cry for me, Mom.
When I needed you, you were always there.
I have one last question, Mom.
Before I say good bye.
I didn't drink and drive,
So why am I the one to die?
Someone took the effort to write this poem it is not that u are the intended recipient but u can help u r friends who are regular drinkers to understand the side effects they put on the society. So please, understand that drinking and driving don't mix.
I remembered what you said.
You told me not to drink, Mom,
So I drank soda instead.
I really felt proud inside, Mom,
The way you said I would.
I didn't drink and drive, Mom,
Even though the others said I should.
I know I did the right thing, Mom,
I know you are always right.
Now the party is finally ending, Mom,
As everyone is driving out of sight.
As I got into my car, Mom,
I knew I'd get home in one piece.
Because of the way you raised me,
So responsible and sweet.
I started to drive away, Mom,
But as I pulled out into the road,
The other car didn't see me, Mom,
And hit me like a load.
As I lay there on the pavement, Mom,
I hear the policeman say,
"The other guy is drunk," Mom,
And now I'm the one who will pay.
I'm lying here dying, Mom....
I wish you'd get here soon.
How could this happen to me, Mom?
My life just burst like a balloon.
There is blood all around me, Mom,
And most of it is mine.
I hear the medic say, Mom,
I'll die in a short time.
I just wanted to tell you, Mom,
I swear I didn't drink.
It was the others, Mom.
The others didn't think.
He was probably at the same party as I.
The only difference is, he drank
And I will die.
Why do people drink, Mom?
It can ruin your whole life.
I'm feeling sharp pains now.
Pains just like a knife.
The guy who hit me is walking, Mom,
And I don't think it's fair.
I'm lying here dying
And all he can do is stare.
Tell my brother not to cry, Mom.
Tell Daddy to be brave.
And when I go to heaven, Mom,
Put "Daddy's Girl" on my grave.
Someone should have told him, Mom,
Not to drink and drive.
If only they had told him, Mom,
I would still be alive.
My breath is getting shorter, Mom.
I'm becoming very scared.
Please don't cry for me, Mom.
When I needed you, you were always there.
I have one last question, Mom.
Before I say good bye.
I didn't drink and drive,
So why am I the one to die?
Someone took the effort to write this poem it is not that u are the intended recipient but u can help u r friends who are regular drinkers to understand the side effects they put on the society. So please, understand that drinking and driving don't mix.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Driven by GIS
I am a final year M.Sc (physics) student specialising in Solid State Physics with Physics of Nanomaterials as my elective. I have now decided to join GIS
course. But I have a few doubts. Is there is any scope for GIS graduates with M.Sc (physics) background? If yes where? Is there any opportunity for me (other than education field) to pursue my career based on my current M.Sc (physics) degree?
Bhavani Shankar
Job opportunities in the field of Geoinformatics is plenty. Many public and private companies employ GIS graduates at various levels. Public sector organisations like ISRO, NRSA, National Informatics Centre (NIC) and other governmental departments like urban developmental authorities and municipal bodies employ GIS trained personnel. However, the percentage of jobs in private companies is higher than in the government departments. One can also pursue research in the field as a number of research companies use the technology in different areas. The different GIS job levels are: GIS digitisers/GIS operators: This is an entry-level job where the conversion of paper map into digital environment takes place using CAD related software. The minimum eligibility is diploma in any discipline with basic knowledge of CAD/GIS.Prior experience is not required in many cases. GIS technicians/GIS engineers: The candidate should have a fair amount of working knowledge in any GIS software and good mapping knowledge with one to two years of experience. GIS analysts:These professionals should have a basic knowledge of mapping and good skills in GIS applications and software with a few years of experience.Their duty is to examine the company’s project specifications and development of new GIS tools, wherever necessary. A fair share of GIS programming skills is an advantage. Business development managers: The candidate should have a minimum of two to five years of experience with good knowledge about GIS business activities.He should have worked in domestic and international market with proven abilities and an excellent track record. GIS project manager: The candidate should have a minimum of five years of experience in GIS project management,database design and development, GIS application development and familiarity with current versions of GIS products. He should have a good GIS background and high qualifications. Consultant:A consultant’s primary duties are the complete analysis, design and documentation of a project. He has to work closely with business development/sales and project managers in drafting responses to RFP/tenders and preparing project proposals. The scene in India for GIS is bright and also augurs well for the future. As per a latest report, the growth of GIS market in India was Rs 79 crores in the year 1999-’2000.The exports from India are expected to reach US$ 150 million by year 2005.Also the increasing job opportunities in public and private sectors gives hope for the development of GIS usage in the country. Here’s the list of some companies in Bangalore:
www.webindia.com/theovel:Theovel Surveys, Bangalore
www.tide-india.org: They have helped in setting up a GIS centre for Bangalore Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (BMRDA).
Genesys: GIS service provider, based in Bangalore and Mumbai. They are also into photogrammetry,remote sensing,software development and CAD conversion.
Tata Infotech Limited
Magnasoft: Provider of AM/FM/GIS and RS services since 1994 catering to reputed clients both in India and North America,Magnasoft is located in Bangalore.
Caddrite Global: Geographic Information System/CAD Conversion/ E-Books/ Facility Information System and GPS sales.
Useful weblinks:
1. www.members.rediff.com/gisindia/company.htm
2. www.webindia.com/theovel
3. www.gislounge.com/library/career.shtml
4. www.careers.geocomm.com/detail.phtml?type=2&id=10445
5. www.earthworks-jobs.com/rescas.htm
course. But I have a few doubts. Is there is any scope for GIS graduates with M.Sc (physics) background? If yes where? Is there any opportunity for me (other than education field) to pursue my career based on my current M.Sc (physics) degree? Bhavani Shankar
Job opportunities in the field of Geoinformatics is plenty. Many public and private companies employ GIS
graduates at various levels. Public sector organisations like ISRO, NRSA, National Informatics Centre (NIC) and other governmental departments like urban developmental authorities and municipal bodies employ GIS trained personnel. However, the percentage of jobs in private companies is higher than in the government departments. One can also pursue research in the field as a number of research companies use the technology in different areas. The different GIS job levels are: GIS digitisers/GIS operators: This is an entry-level job where the conversion of paper map into digital environment takes place using CAD related software. The minimum eligibility is diploma in any discipline with basic knowledge of CAD/GIS.Prior experience is not required in many cases. GIS technicians/GIS engineers: The candidate should have a fair amount of working knowledge in any GIS software and good mapping knowledge with one to two years of experience. GIS analysts:These professionals should have a basic knowledge of mapping and good skills in GIS applications and software with a few years of experience.Their duty is to examine the company’s project specifications and development of new GIS tools, wherever necessary. A fair share of GIS programming skills is an advantage. Business development managers: The candidate should have a minimum of two to five years of experience with good knowledge about GIS business activities.He should have worked in domestic and international market with proven abilities and an excellent track record. GIS project manager: The candidate should have a minimum of five years of experience in GIS project management,database design and development, GIS application development and familiarity with current versions of GIS products. He should have a good GIS background and high qualifications. Consultant:A consultant’s primary duties are the complete analysis, design and documentation of a project. He has to work closely with business development/sales and project managers in drafting responses to RFP/tenders and preparing project proposals. The scene in India for GIS is bright and also augurs well for the future. As per a latest report, the growth of GIS market in India was Rs 79 crores in the year 1999-’2000.The exports from India are expected to reach US$ 150 million by year 2005.Also the increasing job opportunities in public and private sectors gives hope for the development of GIS usage in the country. Here’s the list of some companies in Bangalore: www.webindia.com/theovel:Theovel Surveys, Bangalore
www.tide-india.org: They have helped in setting up a GIS
centre for Bangalore Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (BMRDA). Genesys: GIS
service provider, based in Bangalore and Mumbai. They are also into photogrammetry,remote sensing,software development and CAD conversion.Tata Infotech Limited
Magnasoft: Provider of AM
/FM/GIS and RS services since 1994 catering to reputed clients both in India and North America,Magnasoft is located in Bangalore.Caddrite Global: Geographic Information System/CAD Conversion/ E-Books/ Facility Information System and GPS sales.
Useful weblinks:
1. www.members.rediff.com/gisindia/company.htm
2. www.webindia.com/theovel
3. www.gislounge.com/library/career.shtml
4. www.careers.geocomm.com/detail.phtml?type=2&id=10445
5. www.earthworks-jobs.com/rescas.htm
Studying Earth
I am final year civil engineering student and want to pursue my career in IT. I find the field of geoinformatics very interesting, but I don’t know about the scope/ demand, job opportunities, application area, companies offering services in this field in India or abroad. Where can I study? Please give me relevant info pertaining to the field of geoinformatics (GIS
/GPS/Remote Sensing/ Photogrammetry/ Cartography/ Image processing).
Prasad
Geoinformatics is a science which develops and uses information science infrastructure to address the problems of geosciences and related branches of engineering.
The three main tasks of geoinformatics are: development and management of databases of geodata; analysis and modelling of geodata; development and integration of computer tools and software for the first two tasks.
Some institutes in India offering education in the field of Geoinformatics:
* Symbiosis Institute of Geoinformatics, SIMS campus, IInd Floor, Range Hills Corner, Kirkee Cant, Pune-411020. Ph: 020-25811290/ 25811291. Web: www.symbiosisgeoinformatics.in It offers two-year Master’s of Science programme in Geoinformatics
* Barkatullah University, Bhopal, offers two-year M.Sc in Geoinformatics (special feature: GIS and GPS analysis). Web: www.bubhopal.nic.in
* Bangalore University, Jnanabharati Campus, Department of Geography, offers diploma in geoinformatics. Ph: 2321 3023. Email:buregistrar@vsnl.net
* Indian Space Research Organisation, Department of Space, Antariksh Bhavan, New BEL Road, Bangalore-560094. Ph: 3416356
* Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, No.4 Kalidas Road, Dehra Dun, 248001. Ph: 91-135- 24583
* Remote National Sensing Agency, Balanagar, Hyderabad 500037. Ph: 91-40-279572 to 76.
* Space Applications Centre (SAC), SAC PO, Jodhpur Tekra, Ahmedabad 380 053.
* Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and Pacific Region (CSSTE-AP) IIRS Campus, 4 Kalidas Road, PBN 135 Dehra Dun 248 001 Ph: (135) 740737 Email: cssteap@del2.vsnl.net.in
Some of the following institutes offer short-term courses in Geoinformatics
* Diploma in Geoinformatics (two month full-time course on GIS, GPS and remote sensing). Contact Person: Neeraj Budhari. GIS Institute, GIS Development Pvt. Ltd. G-4, Sector-39, Noida-201 301. Ph: 120 2502180 to 87. Email: info@GISinstitute.net
* AnA Geomatics Pvt. Ltd. 133A, 3rd Floor, Near Nanak Pura Gurudwara, Moti Bagh, New Delhi 110021. Ph: 011-6876273. Email: anageomatics@rediffmail.com
* Training Programme on GIS (with emphasis on Natural Resources and Disaster Management) Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Dr P.K.Garg, Associate Professor, Geomatics Eng Section, Dept of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee-247667, Uttaranchal. Ph: (01332) 85462 Email: gargpfce@iitr.ernet.in, anugarg@datainfosys.net
The scope of geoinformatics is wide. There are over 200 private companies in India. Alternate careers as software programmer can be given a thought. Central/state govt and public sector dealing with developmental work have openings. Majority of NGOs are hosting GIS/remote sensing cells. In entrepreneurship development, India being the preferred destination for GIS related work.
Some companies offering jobs in Geoinformatics include ESRI (NIIT-GIS), Reliance Digital World, Rolta India Ltd, RMSI Ltd, SPECK, Intergraph, HOPE, TCS, SIEMENS, Oracle Inc, TATA Infotech, L&T, Satyam, Hughes, Genesis, KAMPSAX, Redas India, Infotech enterprise, among others. For complete listing visit: www.ecat.giscafe.com/corplist.php
For overseas opportunities visit www.ltid.inpe.br/dsr/tania/Rsdir/countries.htm
/GPS/Remote Sensing/ Photogrammetry/ Cartography/ Image processing). Prasad
Geoinformatics is a science which develops and uses information science infrastructure to address the problems of geosciences and related branches of engineering.
The three main tasks of geoinformatics are: development and management of databases of geodata; analysis and modelling of geodata; development and integration of computer tools and software for the first two tasks.
Some institutes in India offering education in the field of Geoinformatics:
* Symbiosis Institute of Geoinformatics, SIMS campus, IInd Floor, Range Hills Corner, Kirkee Cant, Pune-411020. Ph: 020-25811290/ 25811291. Web: www.symbiosisgeoinformatics.in It offers two-year Master’s of Science programme in Geoinformatics
* Barkatullah University, Bhopal, offers two-year M.Sc in Geoinformatics (special feature: GIS
and GPS analysis). Web: www.bubhopal.nic.in * Bangalore University, Jnanabharati Campus, Department of Geography, offers diploma in geoinformatics. Ph: 2321 3023. Email:buregistrar@vsnl.net
* Indian Space Research Organisation, Department of Space, Antariksh Bhavan, New BEL Road, Bangalore-560094. Ph: 3416356
* Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, No.4 Kalidas Road, Dehra Dun, 248001. Ph: 91-135- 24583
* Remote National Sensing Agency, Balanagar, Hyderabad 500037. Ph: 91-40-279572 to 76.
* Space Applications Centre (SAC), SAC PO, Jodhpur Tekra, Ahmedabad 380 053.
* Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and Pacific Region (CSSTE-AP) IIRS Campus, 4 Kalidas Road, PBN 135 Dehra Dun 248 001 Ph: (135) 740737 Email: cssteap@del2.vsnl.net.in
Some of the following institutes offer short-term courses in Geoinformatics
* Diploma in Geoinformatics (two month full-time course on GIS
, GPS and remote sensing). Contact Person: Neeraj Budhari. GIS Institute, GIS Development Pvt. Ltd. G-4, Sector-39, Noida-201 301. Ph: 120 2502180 to 87. Email: info@GISinstitute.net* AnA Geomatics Pvt. Ltd. 133A, 3rd Floor, Near Nanak Pura Gurudwara, Moti Bagh, New Delhi 110021. Ph: 011-6876273. Email: anageomatics@rediffmail.com
* Training Programme on GIS
(with emphasis on Natural Resources and Disaster Management) Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Dr P.K.Garg, Associate Professor, Geomatics Eng Section, Dept of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee-247667, Uttaranchal. Ph: (01332) 85462 Email: gargpfce@iitr.ernet.in, anugarg@datainfosys.net The scope of geoinformatics is wide. There are over 200 private companies in India. Alternate careers as software programmer can be given a thought. Central/state govt and public sector dealing with developmental work have openings. Majority of NGOs are hosting GIS
/remote sensing cells. In entrepreneurship development, India being the preferred destination for GIS related work. Some companies offering jobs in Geoinformatics include ESRI (NIIT-GIS), Reliance Digital World, Rolta India Ltd, RMSI Ltd, SPECK, Intergraph, HOPE, TCS, SIEMENS, Oracle Inc, TATA Infotech, L&T, Satyam, Hughes, Genesis, KAMPSAX, Redas India, Infotech enterprise, among others. For complete listing visit: www.ecat.giscafe.com/corplist.php
For overseas opportunities visit www.ltid.inpe.br/dsr/tania/Rsdir/countries.htm
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)