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GIS Academia Council of India (GACI)
Advancing GIS Education & Research in India
GIS and Academia
Over the years, GIS has moved from being a niche technology into a mainstream platform for Governance and Business Analytics. The innovation in GIS, Remote sensing and new technologies like AI, ML, AR, VR, HPC, networking etc. is taking place at an unprecedented speed. These ‘disruptive technologies’ are driving the need for interdisciplinary knowledge and integration.
Academicians have an important role in transforming the learning, innovation and adoption of technologies like GIS. One of their key responsibilities is to prepare university level students to meet the skill requirements of the country in understanding current level of technology. They are in a unique position to combine GIS technologies with other technologies to drive interdisciplinary collaboration, leading to innovative solutions and breakthroughs.
The GIS Academia Council of India (GACI), is an initiative to bring together Indian academicians and provide a platform to engage and collaborate to update, strengthen and expand the GIS learning in the country.
Chair
Shri (Dr.) Shailesh Nayak
Director, National Institute of Advanced studies
Dr. Shailesh Nayak is the Director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing, and Life Trustee of the India International Centre, New Delhi.
Shri (Dr.) Shailesh Nayak
Director, National Institute of Advanced studies
Dr. Shailesh Nayak is the Director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing, and Life Trustee of the India International Centre, New Delhi. He served as Chair of the Earth System Science Organisation (ESSO) and Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India (2008–2015), and as Chancellor of the TERI School of Advanced Studies, Delhi. He led national programs in climate change science, weather services, polar and geosciences, ocean science and modelling, ocean surveys, and technology. His current research interests include blue economy strategy, sustainable development, and science diplomacy.
Dr. Nayak earned his Ph.D. in Geology from M.S. University of Baroda in 1980 and joined ISRO’s Space Applications Centre in 1978, where he later became Director of Marine and Water Resources. He spearheaded satellite-based projects on ocean colour, integrated coastal zone management, snow and glacier studies, and water resources, shaping India’s Coastal Regulation Zone policies. In 2006, he became Director of INCOIS, Hyderabad, establishing the Indian Ocean Tsunami and Storm Surge Early Warning System and advancing Marine GIS, ocean advisories, and the Indian Argo project.
He serves on governing boards of In-Space, the Foundation for Ecological Security, and the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Zone Management. A Fellow of India’s premier science academies and international bodies, he holds honorary D.Sc. degrees from Andhra, Assam, Amity and Graphic Era Universities. Recognized with multiple awards, including Padma Shri (2024), Dr. Nayak is President, Indian Mangrove Society, has published 190 papers, and delivered 200 invited talks worldwide.
Co-Chairs
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Prof. Rajiv Gupta
Senior Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, BITS Pilani
Dr. Rajiv Gupta is a Senior Professor of Civil Engineering at BITS Pilani, where he has been a distinguished faculty member for almost four decades. He earned his B.E., M.E., and Ph.D. degrees in Civil Engineering from BITS Pilani, establishing a lifelong academic and professional association with the institution.
Prof. Rajiv Gupta
Senior Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, BITS Pilani
Dr. Rajiv Gupta is a Senior Professor of Civil Engineering at BITS Pilani, where he has been a distinguished faculty member for almost four decades. He earned his B.E., M.E., and Ph.D. degrees in Civil Engineering from BITS Pilani, establishing a lifelong academic and professional association with the institution.
With more than 35 years of teaching and research experience, Dr. Gupta has made significant contributions to civil engineering education and practice. He has published nearly 150 research papers in reputed international and national journals, and presented his work at numerous conferences across India and abroad, authored books and course development materials, A dedicated mentor, he has guided and continues to supervise Ph.D. scholars, shaping the next generation of researchers and professionals.
His areas of expertise span Energy-Water conservation, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and AI, Concrete technology, and Construction management. He has been actively involved in high-impact research and development projects funded by the World Bank, UGC, DST, the University of Virginia, and other agencies, with projects worth over one million USD.
Dr. Gupta has also held several administrative roles at BITS Pilani, including Warden, Head of Department, and Deans, contributing to both academic leadership and institutional development.
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Rajesh C. Mathur
Senior Director – Strategy, Esri India
Mr. Rajesh C. Mathur is the Senior Director Strategy at Esri India Technologies Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of Esri, Inc., the world’s largest provider of GIS software. Prior to that, he held the position of Vice Chairman of the Board and President of the company. With more than 35 years of teaching and research experience.
Rajesh C. Mathur
Senior Director – Strategy, Esri India
Mr. Rajesh C. Mathur is the Senior Director Strategy at Esri India Technologies Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of Esri, Inc., the world’s largest provider of GIS software. Prior to that, he held the position of Vice Chairman of the Board and President of the company.
Mr. Mathur is an Electrical Engineer from IIT Delhi. He also attended the General Management program conducted by the University of Michigan, USA. Mr. Mathur has been associated with the IT industry both in India and overseas for more than 40 years. He has handled assignments in General Management, Marketing, Corporate Planning, and International Operations. Before his current assignment, he worked with Wipro, IDM, and DCM Data Systems in India and USA.
As the head of Esri India, India’s premier GIS products and services company, Mr. Mathur spearheaded the growth of GIS deployment in India. He is actively involved with various professional bodies associated with the Indian GIS industry. He is the past Chairman of the FICCI Committee on Geospatial Technologies and the past President of the Association of Geospatial Industries (AGI). He is also the former President of the Indian Society of Geomatics (ISG) and was honored with the ISG Fellowship in 2012. He has also been honored and acknowledged by the India Geospatial Forum by conferring the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 for his pioneering contribution to the Indian Geospatial Industry.
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GIS Academia Council of India is an exciting initiative to create a forum for academic leadership in the growing field of GIS. It parallels the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science in the US and similar organizations globally. A national voice for GIS education & research can stimulate and focus efforts in universities. Ties between GACI and Esri India will ensure universities stay current with industry, share research results, and help students find employment opportunities.
Prof. Michael F Goodchild
Emeritus Professor of Geography, University of California
How can you participate?
This council is an Esri India initiative and participation is by invitation. We are looking at academicians from India who are passionate about GIS.