|
GIS and College Education in India -Considerations, Contingencies and Challenges
|
Dr. Seema M Parihar,
Reader in Geography, Kirori Mal College,
University of Delhi.
Email- parihars@vsnl.com
GIS is a technology that should be implemented in every organization. It is a promising tool with lot of analytical capabilities. It began in 1960's as a computerized tool for land assessment in Canada and the neighborhood analysis in USA and has evolved into a revolution in many disciplines. However, for traditional academicians, even after forty years of its advent, it is a new technology that should be viewed with suspicion. This obstructs the implementation of GIS in the course curricula at undergraduate level in India. Organizational mismatch and fear of non-usability further slows down its implementation in structured academic environment. This paper focus on 3 C's - Considerations, Contingencies and Challenges in implementing GIS course in College education in India.
Considerations
Why should GIS courses be considered as a part of Course curriculum in College education in India?
General anatomy of Geographic Information System presents a relief to a graduate amidst continuously aggravating difficulties in the job scenario. GIS is a multifaceted field with rapidly expanding opportunities for those who are familiar with the concepts and the technology. Because of its potential for a rewarding career, GIS needs to be considered as a rewarding option in a theoretical curriculum. Moreso, our society is becoming information intensive. About three-fourth of any information has a geo-spatial element, which means that it can be geo-referenced by either address or a location. This knowledge in totality constitutes a foundation for GIS Varied definitions of GIS and its innumerable nomenclature further highlights the dynamism in the discipline. A definition for consideration is that of Burrough, who defined GIS as "set of tools for collecting, storing retrieving at will, transforming and displaying spatial data from the real world for a particular set of purpose" (Burrough, 1986). The term is becoming hybridized and modified to conform to cultural, economic and intellectual objectives. Some related terms are Geographical Information system (Europe), Geomatique (Canada), Geo-relational Information System (Technology-based), Geoscience Information System (disciplined based) and Spatial Information System (Non-geographical derivative). All definitions and related terms however, reflect basic philosophy of spatial environment
Another consideration pertains to the versatility of the functions that GIS can perform. It raises as many questions as it answers. The questions range from inventory related to analysis related. Their function and approach can identify all these. The basic questions, 'How to map'? and `What to map'? still challenge GIS, that began forty years ago. A large number of GIS applications involve updating and displaying map products. Question involving `Where is what'? provide a valuable insight into data storage. It exploits the linkage between the digital map and data base management technology. `Where has it changed'? questions involve temporal analysis. A graphic portrayal of changes in geographic space provides a new perspective on existing data. Spatial patterns relationships involve sophisticated spatial analysis incorporating analytical tools and system models in GIS.
Equally important is the compatibility element in GIS. Its adaptability to varied datasets occuring in different platforms (ground, air and space) increases the scope for its consideration. Digital databases of satellite , maps and census can be scientifically integrated through GIS. GPS links GIS maps and their data sets to real world positions and movements. With high-resolution data and stereo data becoming more readily available the proliferation of GIS into non-expert areas is also eminent. IKONOS imagery, which is commercially distributed by Space Imaging Corporation, USA can be procured from National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), Hyderabad on 1 meter (panchromatic) and 4 meters (multispectral) resolution in India. Not only this, Department of Space of Government of India has successfully launched a satellite to generate imagery of less than 2m resolution in October, 2001. Besides, IRS 1C &1D data is already being used intensively by GIS users. In addition, availability of stereo air photos, 3D models and highly accurate orthoimages enhances applications in GIS. ISTAR claims to have embarked on a programme to acquire 1 meter -resolution 3D imagery. Stereo Analyst from ERDAS too is enhancing 3D capability into the GIS world.
The need to become familiar with basic principles of GIS is growing as more organizations are adapting GIS in their daily working. GIS industry is all set to pay premium to graduates who know not only how to use the existing software but also how to integrate the technology in the existing system and carry it beyond its current bounds. This vacuum in India can best be filled with introduction of GIS courses in Colleges.
Who should be considered?
All disciplines that recognize the importance of spatial dimensions need to be considered. The GIS as discipline can be studied at two distinct levels, where one pertains to technology development and the other pertains to development of concepts behind the technology. Knowledge of underlying geographic principles driving spatial patterns and dynamics will in turn strengthen the accuracy in use of algorithms to solve real world issues. The ability to think and analyse spatially becomes the core of GIS.
The GIS users are now more interdisciplinary than ever. Their applications are in wide range of fields and projects, and across a variety of subjects, The system have been used in studies of the spatial distribution of forests, minerals, animals as well as snow melt run off simulation, fertility transition dynamics and industrial location. One of the marked change in the user community have been the increasing number of diverse studies. In some areas GIS use continues to be a specialist activity, while in others, with the development of more specialized modules offering querying and mapping capabilities, users need not necessarily have GIS technical know-how. GIS course curriculum can thus cut across different subjects and can become part of following four faculties at undergraduate Level:
- Faculty of Technology - Civil Engineering,; Computer Science; Information Technology
- Faculty of Sciences - Botany; Geology; Zoology.
- Faculty of Social Sciences - Geography; Economics; Sociology, Commerce & Business
- Faculty of Mathematical Sciences - Statistics