Four
Decades of Capacity Building in Earth Observation and
Geoinformatics at IIRS
by
Dr.V.K. Dadhwal
Dean,
Indian
Institute of Remote Sensing
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Introduction |
India is a leader in utilization of space technology for societal applications. But a widespread adoption by large section of society still eludes us. This requires transfer of technology or capacity building within Department of Space major task of capacity building through training and education is the responsibility of Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS). IIRS plays a lead role in transferring the awareness and expertise of remote sensing and GIS technology to various levels i.e. Decision makers, middle level managers, technician and also working level. The institute's objective is training, education and research in the fields of RS & GIS for national capacity building programme and professional excellence (Figure 1)
Our first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, during his first visit to International training Centre (ITC), The Netherlands realized the importance of the technology and it's role for the natural resources development, articulated the requirement of similar type of institute in India. This paved the way for the establishment of Indian Photo-interpretation Institute (IPI), Dehradun on 21st April1966 under Survey of India for providing training in Aerial Survey, which was the technology of that time. Role of IPI was enlarged later to cover broader spectrum of Remote Sensing Science, by adopting it under National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), in 1976. It is worthwhile to note that, first Remote Sensing Satellite LANDSAT was launched in 1972. In order to emphasize the useful role of remote sensing data and its applications, IPI was renamed as Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) in 1983. In this enlarged vision, IIRS has been playing a key role in imparting training to a variety of professionals in reaping the benefits of Remote Sensing technology in their respective fields. Through this time, IIRS has enhanced its capabilities, along with the technological developments to fulfill the increased responsibility and demand from Indian and Asian user community. The scientific and technical manpower of institute is grouped into two major areas, Technology and Applications. While the former deals with Geoinformatics, Photogrammetry & Remote Sensing technology, the latter deals with six resource disciplines as detailed in Figure 2.
During mid-1980s Geographical Information Science had started taking its root internationally in university curricula and the first GIS textbook by Burrough in 1986 marks the coming of age. Again IIRS rapidly adopted this latest GIS technology with the international collaboration during the initial as well as advanced period with ITC. David & Jonathan (2001) have estimated that globally there are nearly 2 million current GIS users and about 2000 universities run courses on GIS and hundreds of other courses run by non-academic organizations such as software vendors. Currently in India only very few reputed institutions/universities have incorporated EO & GIS in their curriculum and IIRS is the first among them.
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Capacity Building - Role of Indian Institute of Remote Sensing |
The prime objectives of the institute are training, education and research in the field RS & GIS for national capacity building program and professional excellence (Fig.1). The institute has an excellent infrastructure and state of the art field instruments and computing facilities, one of the best in south-east Asia, to conduct several parallel training & educational programs. The institute offers several courses (certificate, P.G. Diploma, M.Sc & M.Tech courses) of different durations (ranging from 1week to 24 months duration) and also customized courses as per the user needs.
IIRS trainings are divided mainly into three programs. They are :
- Remote Sensing and GIS-Mapping and monitoring (Natural Resource Management) Programs
- Geoinformatics Technology and Application programs
- Geoinformatics-Disaster Management Programs
The first program was introduced at its inception and has been continued with modifications over the years. The second and the third programs have started recently realizing the additional need that has emerged with advances in geoinformatics field. The following table shows the details of these programs.
IIRS is a unique Institute when viewed in context of training catering to different levels of professionals (decision makers, middle level managers, technicians, scientists and fresh candidates seeking RS&GIS career) and offering variety of courses ranging from one week to two years in almost all resource disciplines.
The trainee turn out since 1966 now exceeds 5860 with more than one third of them (1800 No.) trained in long-term courses and rest in short term courses. Many special courses have been conducted according to the needs of specific organization. Around 1400 have been trained under the special courses of 2-8 weeks durations.
IIRS, realizes the research and skill development needs and has two education programs M.Tech & M.Sc initiated in 2001 and 2002, respectively. There are two type of educations that IIRS offers.
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Major Research Thrust Areas |
IIRS has a mutidisciplinary and problem oriented research agenda that focuses on role of remote sensing and geoinformatics involving mapping, surveying, and management and planning of natural resources for sustainable development. The institute promotes doctoral and postdoctoral research programmes under CSIR, UGC, DST and sponsored project fellowship. The PhD programmes at IIRS is recognized by IIT, Roorkee, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Srinagar, Forestry Research Institute (Deemed University), Dehradun and the University of Pune, Pune.
The Institute on selective basis allows MCA, M.Tech, B.Tech or B.E. students in carrying out their dissertation work, which is integrated with ongoing research themes whereever feasible. In fact, IIRS is a test bed for many pilot projects in remote sensing applications and case studies are utilized for developing trained manpower for various remote sensing applications. The major research themes at IIRS are:
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Infrastructure facility at IIRS |
One of the best facilities are available at IIRS, dividing them into Classrooms, practical halls, computers in network environment, Remote Sensing ground truth equipment, Continuous Spectral radiometers, Multi band wavelength Radiometers for atmospheric aerosol studies, field equipment like automatic weather stations (rain gauges, temperature, humidity) water quality estimation, soil, hydraulic properties, vegetation canopy characterization etc. IIRS is also considered hub of Geoinformatics facilities with the computers are mainly in Windows environment at client side and the servers in Windows and Linux environment. The total number of computers in campus is around 300 in No., supported by Image Processing softwares such as ERDAS/Imagine, ENVI, IDRISI, ILWIS, eCognition; GIS software's like ARCGIS, ARCView, Geomedia, Geomatica, ILWIS, Internet GIS software's like ARCIMS, Geomedia Map server, GIS customizing tools like ArcObjects, IDL and statistical packages, like SPSS and MATLAB etc.
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Milestones and Achievements |
Capacity Building is an important component of Earth Observation Program by Department of Space and IIRS that is a training and education wing of NRSA (DOS), making dedicated efforts for transfer of technology at national and international level with many training and education programs, updated on continuous basis according to needs over the last four decades. It is one of the pioneering institutes in the south east Asia in the field of Remote Sensing and GIS technology and applications. Since its inception in 1966, IIRS has seen many changes and achieved important milestones. These are summarized in Table 2. First the institute was under Department of Science and Technology and was transferred to Department of Space in 1975. IIRS also introduced new discipline in Urban and Regional Planning realizing the application potential of high resolution of satellite data for Town and Country Planning Organizations in 1983, again with the collaboration of ITC, The Netherlands. The next milestone in the history of IIRS happened with modification of its programs completely when it has introduced Geographical Information system in 1994 in all disciplines. First time the institute has transformed from training to education programs when it has introduced postgraduate degree programs of M.Sc. and M.Tech. programs in 2002. Most significant paradigm shift is now underway with expected launch of Edusat and Internet based training programs in 2006.
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International Linkages |
The institute has continued with and expanded the international collaboration since its inception. Initial collaboration with ITC was with full support of manpower expertise and infrastructure support. However slowly but steadily the institute has built up its own expertise and infrastructure over the years and current international collaborations are on mutually beneficial terms.
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IIRS-ITC Joint Collaboration Program |
The collaboration between Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS/NRSA) and International Institute for Geoinformation Science and Earth Observation (ITC) spans four decades. Four distinct periods can be recognized in this collaboration. During 1966- 1972, emphasis was placed on creating basic capability in training and education in aerial photo interpretation. During second phase from 1983 to 1988 and 1988-1990, emphasis was directed towards the establishment of Human Settlement Analysis Group (HUSAG). The third phase during 1994-1999 was directed towards upgrading infrastructure and faculty improvement in the field of Geoinformatics for Natural Resource Development and Environmental Planning and Management
The fourth phase was launched in collaboration with IIRS and other institutes from the Netherlands, namely ITC, The Netherlands, International Institute for Infrastructural, Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering (IHE), and Wageningen University (WU) for capacity building in disaster management. The project started in July 2000, known as GEONEDIS and completed in July 2004.
IIRS and ITC signed another significant MOU for a Joint Education Programs for five years during 2006 and 2010 in which IIRS conducts MSc Geoinformatics and M.Sc. Geo-hazards courses every year and also runs joint logo Postgraduate Diplomas in these disciplines
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ASEAN |
India has had close cultural and economic ties with Southeast Asian countries. India and Association of Southeast Asian Nations popularly known as ASEAN have also collaborated in the area of Capacity-building, formal education, on-the-job attachment and exchange of scientists, besides use of Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) data for environmental management such as forest fire monitoring, marine and coastal management.
The first training course under the first phase of ASEAN INDIA cooperation in space technology to be was offered at Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Dehradun between 24th May 2004 & 4th June 2004.
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Asian Program for Regional Capacity Enhancement for Landslide Impact Mitigation (RECLAIM) |
Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC), Bangkok in collaboration with Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), Oslo has launched a collaborative programme entitled "Asian Program for Regional Capacity Enhancement for Landslide Impact Mitigation (RECLAIM)" to address the need for building capacity in the selected countries in Asia namely, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The goal of the RECLAIM project is to reduce the landslide disaster vulnerability of human settlements, infrastructure, and critical facilities in the targeted countries of Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. From India, IIRS is the nodal participating agency along with CBRI. As a part of the project, Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC), Bangkok and Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, Oslo organized Asian Workshop on Regional Capacity Enhancement for Landslide Mitigation (RECLAIM). Bangkok during 13-15 Sept 2004 in which IIRS contributed a paper on Landslide Hazards in India
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ADPC / CASITA |
Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), Bangkok, Thailand is a regional resource center for working towards safer communities and sustainable development through disaster reduction in Asia and the Pacific. Govt. of India is well represented in various committees in ADPC such as Board of Trustees, Advisory Council, consultative committee etc. IIRS participated in a project "Sustainability Capacity Building on Urban Disaster Mitigation in Asia using IT and C learning tools" (CASITA) funded by European Union and implemented by Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC), International Institute of Geoinformation Science and Earth Observation (ITC), The Netherlands and Ecole Nationale des Science Geographiques (ENSG), France. As a part of this project IIRS hosted the final workshop of the project during March 16 19, 2004. This workshop was attended by faculty of 14 other Asian universities who were involved in the project in developing curriculum and also case studies on Disaster Mitigation and Risk Assessment. After our successful participation in phase I of CASITA project, International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), the Netherlands, Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), Bangkok, Thailand, Bonn University (BU), Germany have proposed IIRS (NRSA) as one of the beneficiary along with 3 other Asian universities viz. Gadjah Mada University (GMU), Indonesia, University of Ruhuna (UOR), Sri Lanka, Chiang Mai University (CMU), Thailand in a project 'Capacity Building in Asia using Information Technology Applications' (CASITA) funded by European Union and to be being implemented by them.
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Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTEAP) (affiliated to United Nations) |
The Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific, affiliated to UN is located within the space technology campus of IIRS. It was established during November 1995 in response to the UN General Assembly Resolution (45/72 of the 11.12.1990) endorsing the recommendation of UNISPACE-82, the United Nations Department of Outer Space Affairs. The centre is an educational and research institution emphasizing in-depth education, research and application programmes in space sciences and technology. It offers Post-Graduate level courses in the fields of Remote Sensing and GIS, Satellite Communication, Satellite Meteorology and Global Climate, and Space Science on the basis of standard curricula developed by the United Nations. The Centre thrives on the expertise and infrastructure of IIRS for Remote Sensing and GIS programmes. It has arrangements with Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad playing as host institution for programmes related to satellite communications and satellite meteorology, and with Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad for Space Science. It looks forward to take a lead role in capacity building in space science and technology in Asia-Pacific region.
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IIRS GDTA (France) |
Under Indo-French collaboration collaboration (1999-2004) an understanding has been was arrived with ISRO to collaborate in the field of training and education. A memorandum of understanding has been signed on May, 1999 between ISRO and GDTA (France) for mutual cooperation training, education and research in remote sensing and GIS applications for Natural Resource Management. The cooperation was successful and focused in following areas.
- Exchange of post-graduate diploma (IIRS) and CETEL (GDTA) students for project assignment.
- Faculty exchange for consultation on curriculum and
- Sharing of experience in the specialized areas.
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IIRS-ITTO / JOFCA (Japan) |
IIRS has participated in International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) project for the formulation and development of Forest Canopy Density Mapping using semi-expert system. It was collaboration with South East Asian countries to develop robust techniques for Forest Density Stratification. ITTO has recognized the institute to conduct regular training programs for forest officers of ITTO member countries in Forest Canopy Density mapping.
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UNESCO |
In addition, IIRS is actively involved many other international programs like TREES project and conducted many International training programs for UNESCO, UNFAO, UN-Habitat, Common Wealth, Algerian Space Centre, WMO, Asian Ecology Center and ITC etc.
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Future Challenges Readiness of IIRS |
The new challenges to enlarge outreach and capability of technology to provide connectivity have spanned new approach to capacity development. Two methods of approaches have been adopted are being integrated at IIRS, 1) EDUSAT based approach using Satellite Communication technology and 2) Internet Client Server approach in order to train the users in addition to regular contact based training.
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Edusat based Remote Sensing and GIS training program |
The use of Remote Sensing, Geographic Information System (GIS), Global Positioning (GPS) and associated geo-spatial technologies is increasing rapidly, creating an urgent demand for trained manpower. IIRS proposes to utilize the EDUSAT facility for these purposes. Initially it is proposed to strengthen the existing network of institutions where IIRS has cooperation of accreditation for education programs; sharing of faculty expertise in running Geoinformatics programs initiated by other institutions with IIRS support; train the students of undergraduate / postgraduate students at institutions that have established Geoinformatics facility with the funding support from NNRMS and other institutions/organizations that regularly approach IIRS for Geoinformatics expertise.
Under the proposed EDUSAT facility, IIRS is in the process of establishing its own Teaching end Studio and Up-linking facility at IIRS premises under national beam coverage of EDUSAT and link with users. Initially eight to ten universities/institutions are planned to be linked in the first pilot phase for conducting 6 weeks training on Remote Sensing and GIS and expand gradually to cover larger number of institutions.
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Internet Based Certificate Program in Remote Sensing and GIS |
With the emerging innovations in the field of computers, Information Technology and Communications, the Internet has become a powerful way for training institutions to expand their student service area and enroll students for whom classrooms are otherwise inaccessible. Hence the terms Open learning (learning based on independent study or initiative rather than formal classroom practice), Distance learning (lectures are broadcast or conducted by correspondence, without the student needing to attend a school or college), Online learning (learning using the Internet) and E-learning, learning using CBT (computer based training), Internet WBT (web based training) or other ICT (information & communication technology) facilities are rapidly being adopted by institutions world over.
IIRS is planning to launch Internet Based Certificate Program (IBCP) in order to expand to much wider geographical area and to those unable to spare their physical presence for a regular course at IIRS but are keen on learning the newer technologies at their work place / residences. The expertise of faculty available at IIRS will be used to impart training to the interested candidates in remote area and to those interested in improving their professional knowledge.
A dedicated server as a virtual campus at IIRS along with necessary software, uploaded course material, interactive communication system between IIRS faculty at and Student will be made operational. It is expected that the end of 2006 will make the program operational as a 'BETA SITE' for evaluation before formally opening it to students.
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Conclusion |
IIRS during forty years of its existence has made significant contributions to capacity building at national as well as international level and also kept pace with rapid advances in technology and application of earth observation and geo-information science. It is now ready to benefit from ever-growing opportunities as well as meet challenges of this technology in 21st century.
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