IGIS Training Wing:

It is practiced in educational institutes and R&D organizations worldwide to offer training to the people from different areas working in public or private sector in order to enhance their capabilities by keeping them updated with the latest and innovated research. IGIS Training Wing is also intended to provide quality training in the fields of GIS and Remote Sensing to the people from other institutes and organizations. These training modules are divided into following different categories and IGIS offers these from time to time as Non Degree Programs. Information about launching such training modules is normally publicized through IGIS website.

Short Courses:

The past experience in training and education of Remote Sensing and GIS technologies has indicated that three levels of training programs are required to satisfy the needs of three distinct groups of people
1-3 weeks:
This course is meant for the decision makers, planners, manager and administrators. It introduces the principles of remote sending and geographical information systems to the professionals who do not have any prior exposure to these fields. Both the capabilities and limitations of these technologies are brought out during this course.
1-2 months:
This course is suitable for middle level managers, researchers and scientists, who supervise the activities of Remote Sensing and GIS in their organization. The course generally cover the principles of remote sensing, visual and digital interpretation of remotely sensed data, concepts of GIS, use of spatial analysis, integration of remote sensing and GIS with other fields and practical demonstrations.
1-2 semesters:
This course is tailored for working level scientists and technicians. They must get the capabilities to establish the infrastructure and carry out operational program relating to remote sensing and GIS analysis. The course contents includes principles of remote sensing and GIS, in depth detail of visual and digital interpretation of remotely sensed data, spatial data structures and analysis, interpretation of remote sensing and GIS for resources applications along with hands on training on GIS image processing software packages.

Workshops:

Workshops on different topics related to the use of GIS and Remote Sensing are also organized at IGIS from time to time in order to share the experience and practical knowledge among the people from various different back grounds and field of work.

IGIS is conducting a WorkShop on GIS from 7-11th of October followed by another another WorkShop on Remote Sensing and Image Processing from 13-17th of October. Interested individuals and groups are advised to contact us at stalib@igis.edu.pk before 6th of October.

Symposium/Seminars:

During semester work, students are given an opportunity to know more about any particular area of the course being taught from an external source. Normally lectures and discussions are organized from the people working in other universities, institutes and industry. Normally people from outside IGIS are welcomed to attend the seminars and symposiums but keeping in mind the available resources of IGIS to facilitate the event.

Conferences:

After successfully conducting 1st International Conference on Advances in Space Technologies (ICAST) 2006, the Institute of Geographical Information Systems (IGIS) has planned the ICAST 2008 that will be held on 29-30 November 2008. With the rapid proliferation in advanced space technologies; it is utmost desirable to keep updated with such technologies in order to strengthen the country’s economic and strategic capabilities. Many predict that the future strength of nations could be measured on how advanced they are in space technologies. The space science covers the wide spectrum of applications related to space technologies. The main emphasis of ICAST 2008 would be to explore advance concepts in the space technologies development and application with the specific theme ‘Space in the Service of Mankind’.

International Conference on Advances in Space Technologies (ICAST) follows the model of Recent Advances in Space Technologies (RAST), Turkey. Both events were started and sponsored mainly be IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). Both ICAST and RAST are in close collaboration with each other. The two conferences are conducted in alternate years. ICAST is conducted in even years while RAST in odd years. IGIS and the AESS/GRSS (Aerospace and Electronic System Society/ Geosciences and Remote Sensing Society) Chapter of IEEE Islamabad section cooperated technically with the organizers of RAST 2007, held in Istanbul at Turkish Air Force Academy (14-16 June 2007).

Please visit the official website of ICAST 2008 for further details about the extra vaganza and how to be a part of it by submitting your reasearch papers etc.

Field study/recreational trips:

IGIS arranges field trips for the students so that they can get practical knowledge about field data collection, usage of GPS devices and to understand and implement different surveying and sampling techniques. These field trips are educational in their essence but recreational at the same time which provides a healthy opportunity to the students to learn by fun. Recently a field trip was organized and successfully implemented into the mountainous areas of Abott Abad and Thandiani. During this field trip students visited the army survey group and exchanged ideas about spatial data collection and surveying techniques.  People from other institutes within NUST or outside are welcome to join this kind of field trips in future as well.