Course on Cloud-based GIS at CAS-XIEG

Working with geospatial technologies today is trending towards online applications, in many cases replacing desktop software installations with browser-based access to online functionality. Approx. 30 graduate students and faculty met at the Xinjiang Institute for Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Urumqi from Nov 2-5 for an experience in leveraging the rich collection of services offered by global spatial data infrastructures.

Prof Josef Strobl from Z_GIS challenged the participants to compile, design and share their first online maps, and to recognize the differences between traditional static maps vs dynamic, interactive map-based interfaces at the core of online geo-media. One full day was dedicated to creating decision-support information from available data through spatial analytics, before everyone embarked on the journey to build a web-app as well as a storymap to ‘communicate spatially’ with their respective target audiences.

Participants from all across Central Asia (and Rwanda) accepted this challenge, built valuable skills and will implement their new competences in their thesis projects and professional as well as academic environments. Thanks are due to Prof Alishir Kurban and his team from CAS-XIEG for organizing this workshop, and for providing an excellent learning environment. Looking forward to seeing lots of shared maps, apps and storymaps online in the future!

CAS-XIEG >News

GISCA'17 in Dushanbe successfully completed

The GIS in Central Asia Conference – GISCA 2017 under the motto ”GIScience for Sustainable Development" was held August 28-30, 2017 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The main objectives of this English language conference were to bring together GIS academics, researchers and practitioners from Central Asian and other countries and to encourage international cooperation and knowledge exchange in GIS education and science. GISCA 2017 was organized by and at the Institute of Water Problems, Hydropower and Ecology (IWPHE), Academy of Sciences of Republic of Tajikistan (AS RT) jointly with the Austria-Central Asia Centre for GIScience (ACA*GIScience) and the GIScience Commission, Austrian Academy of Sciences. 

The organizers are grateful for sponsorship and support from by Trimble, the Eurasia-Pacific Uninet and the Research Centre for Ecology and Environment of Central Asia (Dushanbe). The GISCA conference series and its publications are managed by ACA*GIScience with support from Eurasia-Pacific Uninet and the ÖAW GIScience Commission. 

A post-conference workshop on "Geo-ICT for nature-based tourism and recreation" was conducted by Dr. Sabine Hennig from Z_GIS. More than 80 conference participants from European and Central Asian countries have shared scientific research presentations and discussions, experiences and findings of international initiatives on GIS education and research. 

On the occasion of GISCA’17, ACA*GIScience will again publish a special issue on GIS (including Remote Sensing, Spatial Statistics and related geospatial applications) in Central Asia. The issue will be published in the International Journal of Geoinformatics (journals.sfu.ca/ijg). The deadline to submit complete papers for review is October 15. For any questions, please contact the editors by email . We are looking forward to a high quality journal issue representing the state of the art of geospatial methods and applications across the Central Asia region.

'gSmart' congratulates SelCom Chair Prof. Dr. Béla Márkus

Our warmest congratulations go to the gSmart project Selection Committee Chair  Prof. Dr. Béla Márkus. Happy 70th birthday Béla! We wish you all the best and success for the future!

Project partners are very grateful for his tremendous support and for sharing his great experience! We are all hoping that the very kind, personal and professional collaboration will be maintained!

See also https://unigis.net/news/congratulations-prof-dr-bela-markus/

‘gSmart’ scholars leaving University of Sopron

‘gSmart’ scholars @ University of Sopron (former University of West Hungary) succeeded in enhancing their quality in teaching, research  and learning of Geoinformatics. The University of Sopron hosted 25 ‘all level’ scholars from Central Asian Universities. In total 8 Master Level scholars successfully finished their studies in Hungary and have now returned to their home countries to either work in the local Geoinformatics industry, teach or continue their studies at a higher education institution. Please see below title of Mater’s Theses and links to personalized documentation of activities.

>> Individual e-portfolios and Project website >> http://em-gsmart.zgis.net 

gSmart Meeting @ GI_Forum conference in Salzburg

A small group of gSmart project partners got together to discuss lessons learned and future activities, during the GI_Forum conference in Salzburg.
The meeting started with an excursion to the Landscape Lab in Koppl, close to Salzburg. Hermann Klug, head of this Z_GIS research group provided detailed information and insights to participants.
This last face-to-face gSmart meeting highlights the close end - July 14, 2017 - of the Erasmus Mundus mobility scholarship project (http://em-gsmart.zgis.net/).

gSmart - Erasmus Mundus mobility scholarships

The creation of a strong presence and brand for Geoinformatic studies and job opportunities in Central Asia and Europe is clearly the anticipated long-term impact of the gSmart project. An Erasmus Mundus funded mobility project for all levels. >> http://em-gsmart.zgis.net

The project will finish in July 2017, we invite you to explore achievements and experiences of scholarship holders:

>> Bachelor
>> Master
>> PhD
>> PostDoc & Staff

Dr. Sabine Hennig back at ACA*GIScience

Dr. Sabine Hennig from Z_GIS, University of Salzburg is again teaching at ACA*GIScience in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan within the Erasmus+ faculty mobility program. 

During her academic visit to Kyrgyzstan in April and May 2017 Dr. Hennig is going to teach advanced Geoinformatics and Web-GIS courses to postgraduate students and teachers of KSUCTA and Osh Technological University. In addition, we are glad to have her support in advising MSc and PhD students on their research activities as well as in development of teaching materials. 

GISCA'17 Dushanbe - Call for Papers

The annual ‘GIS in Central Asia’ Conference - GISCA 2017 is scheduled for August 28-30 in Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan. The main objective of this English language conference aims at bringing together GIS academics, researchers and practitioners from Central Asian and other countries, thus to encourage international cooperation and knowledge exchange in GIS research, education and practice.

GISCA 2017 is being locally organized by the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan with support from the Research Centre for Ecology and Environment of Central Asia (Dushanbe) and the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The GISCA conference series and its publications are managed by the Austria-Central Asia Centre for GIScience - ACA*GIScience supported by Eurasia-Pacific Uninet and the Austrian Academy of Sciences’ Commission for GIScience.

Call for Papers: the conference committee accepts scientific papers on Geoinformatics themes with a focus on the Central Asian Region. Reviewed and accepted papers in English will be published in the proceedings volume of GISCA 2017 and recorded in RSCI (РИНЦ – Russian Scientific Citation Index). Selected papers will be recommended for publication in the International Journal of Geoinformatics.

We encourage dissemination of this CfP to all interested GIS researchers, educators and professionals. The deadline for submission of papers is July 27, 2017 by email to the address: gisca17@aca-giscience.org

EPU Central Asia 'Novruz' event in Vienna

The Austrian Eurasia-Uninet (EPU) initiative on March 22nd had invited scholars, students and officials from Central Asia and anyone involved with regional projects to the Austrian University of Veterinary Medicine. The aim of this meeting was the sharing of experiences, building of networks and development of plans for further cooperation.Several gSmart students from Villach used this opportunity to connect with the wider community involved with this region.

Dr Ainura Nazarkulova from the University of Salzburg started the conference with a presentation of the Austria - Central Asia Center of GIScience. She highlighted the overall mission of this center, introduced the GISCA series of conferences and focussed on the capacity building initiatives including Tempus and Erasmus projects as well as the UNIGIS distance learning program.

This presentation set the stage for a series of short presentations on topics like historical as well as modern Silk Road, resource and forest management in the region and cultural specifics connecting the past with the present.

EPU hopefully with continue to support the cooperation of Austrian with Central Asian universities, and to serve as a hub as well as a 'crystallization point' for joint research and capacity building.

Recommended Reading: GISc&T Educational Directions

Strobl, J. 2017. Geographic Information Science and Technology: Educational Directions. The International Encyclopedia of Geography. DOI: 10.1002/9781118786352.wbieg1026

Abstract
Geographic information science and technology education has evolved into a multidisciplinary undertaking supporting academic and professional qualifications and professions. With strong conceptual foundations in geography, motivated by application domains including planning, ecology, engineering, and infrastructure management, and facilitated by technologies and computer science, educational programs and underlying curricula are now offered worldwide. This entry explores the academic backgrounds, curriculum initiatives, and models for study programs in, for example, geoinformatics, including traditional frameworks as well as continuing education, distance learning, and noncredit and informal learning. Best practice by worldwide institutions and actors is well documented through collective experience as a foundation for developing new directions accommodating novel technological and conceptual developments.

'The International Encyclopedia of Geography: People, the Earth, Environment, and Technology' >> Link to all abstracts.

gSmart scholars in Sopron, HU

From February 1, 2017,  the University of West Hungary Faculties of Sopron had been restructured and renamed to University of Sopron.

gSmart scholars are ‘incomings’ in Sopron at the University of Sopron, former UWH. This project partner university is currently hosting 6 Master level students, 2 PhD students, and 1 PostDoc researcher. 3 MSc students have already successfully finished their studies as well as 2 bachelor level exchange students. You will find more information about those scholars on their individual gSmart e-portfolios.

University of Sopron, Faculty of Forestry
Institute of Geomatics, Forest Opening-up and Water Management
Department of Surveying and Remote Sensing
gSmart contact in Hungary: Prof. Andrea Pődör and Prof. Géza Király

'gSmart' publications in International Journal of Geoinformatics

'From Central Asia to Europe: Erasmus Mundus "gSmart" Student Mobility' provides a detailed description on mobility statistics and the interactive and dynamic maps on gSmart mobilities from Central Asia to Europe,  in the current issue of the International Journal of Geoinformatics. Four other publications of gSmart scholars can be found in this journal.

>> gSmart Story Map
>> gSmart Project (link to publication)
>> International Journal of Geoinformatics
>> GISCA proceedings

Erasmus Mundus funded mobility for staff (faculty) and PhD students aims to generate a benefit from research collaboration and exchange visits at an European host university. Joint publications, capacity building and knowledge transfer are key to generate a benefit to all parties involved.