The geospatial industry is poised for rapid growth in the coming years, triggered by the National Geospatial Policy 2022 and other policy reforms. Government investments in infrastructure – Roads, Railways, Airports, Urban Development, Utilities are other drivers leading to significant demand for geospatial professionals in the future. Another major growth driver is the transformational changes happening in GIS technology. Integration with AI, IOT, Big Data, AR/VR, GeoBIM/Digital Twins, Web/Cloud is creating new paradigms for GIS deployment.
It is becoming increasingly essential for GIS professionals to possess good programming skills – particularly in Python – to automate workflows and support advanced analytics. Expertise in one or more domains would be another critical requirement to geo-enable various workflows and business processes. It is therefore essential to attract undergraduate students with a background in Computer Science, Engineering, Architecture, and Management, among others, to postgraduate courses in Geospatial Technology.
Universities offering M.Tech or equivalent programs in geospatial could adopt the following strategies to build a geospatially skilled talent pool:
• By effectively communicating the real-world impact of geospatial technologies in dealing with challenges like climate change, sustainability, disaster resilience, urban planning, et al, universities can build strong interest among the students. Use of StoryMaps, short videos, and case studies can help students understand how GIS meaningfully improves the quality of life.
• Industry-academia collaboration can play an enabling role in strengthening the course curriculum and aligning it with contemporary technology. This collaboration can be manifested in multiple ways, including hackathons, internships, mentorship programs, et al, exposing students to the roadmap from learning to employment.
• Universities should also invite industry leaders to visit campuses and interact with students, discuss career prospects, provide technology directions, share alumni achievements, et al. Forming geospatial clubs, organising mapathons, poster sessions, and StoryMap contests can help in increasing visibility on the campus and encouraging students, especially undergraduate students, to seriously consider a career in the geospatial domain.
• It is also important to modernise the communication of geospatial courses. Highlighting the way GIS has embraced contemporary technology like GeoAI/GenAI/Agentic AI, Real Time Spatial Analytics, and Digital Twins will help students perceive it as an innovative and future-oriented technology.
Offering geospatial as a multidisciplinary subject would enable students pursuing courses in computer science, engineering, and architecture to opt for it as an elective; It will help undergraduate students acquire a better understanding of this technology, which would encourage many of them to choose geospatial as a career option by enrolling for a postgraduate course in geospatial.
Conclusion
In conclusion, attracting young minds to courses in geospatial technology requires a compelling case presenting career prospects, an opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology, solving real-world problems, and contributing to making the world a better place to live.
Rajesh is Senior Director Strategy at Esri India with over 40 years of experience in the IT industry in India and overseas.
