The World Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Day 2020 will be held on November 18. The day is an annual recognition of GIS software and unites the geospatial community in a global movement of collaboration, sharing, and education
GIS Day provides an international forum for users of GIS technology to demonstrate real-world applications that are making a difference in our society. World GIS Day is all about discovering the World Through GIS.
The first formal GIS Day took place in 1999. Esri’s (Acronym for Environmental Systems Research Institute – US) president and co-founder Jack Dangermond credits Ralph Nader with being the person who inspired the creation of GIS Day. He considered GIS Day a good initiative for people to learn about geography and the uses of GIS. He wanted GIS Day to be a grassroot effort, and open to everyone to participate.
World GIS day is celebrated around the world every year on the 3rd Wednesday of the month of November as a part of National Geographic and Geographical awareness week.
GIS Solutions (Pvt) Ltd., (GISS) as the Sole Authorized Distributor for ESRI (Web link: www.gislk.com), in collaboration with the Survey Department of Sri Lanka, takes World GIS on to promote the use and value of maps and mapping technology for the general public of Sri Lanka, especially amongst school children.
In spite of the Pandemic, to create awareness about World GIS day 2020, GIS Solutions is conducting a competition that involves mapping interesting and historically important places onto a digital map. This is the 4th year consecutively this will be conducted as an island-wide competition titled “One Map Sri Lanka” and targeting 3 groups this year; Professional GIS Users and GIS Technologists, University Students and School students.
They applicants are required to upload, digitally a picture of a place or location that they consider to have some historical, cultural, environmental significance or importance from their own surroundings, along with; an interesting 50-word description, corresponding exact longitude and latitude coordinates (Geo coordinates), with their personal details. Participation will be through on-line submission this year. For school children, this program will be conducted through the schools themselves.
Last year over 700+ entries were received of a very high standard from students from all across the country, with majority entries coming from outstation. The top 100 entries will be awarded with certificates and gifts. For the competition amongst adults and the Professional Users of ArcGIS Technology, GIS Solutions received very positive responses, as well, from which the best 3 entries will be awarded with cash prizes and certificates.
“This is the fourth year GIS Solutions is running this style of competition to commemorate “World GIS Day”, and we are highly encouraged by the responses received over the last few years,” CEO of GIS Solutions, Ashani Dabare-Jaysinghe, a group company of Just In Time Group said.
All entries received will be added on to a Special Sri Lanka Digital GIS Map called, “One Map Sri Lanka”.
This year the event will be conducted online via zoom platform to create awareness about GIS technology with our audience. Participation for this event is possible by sending an email with name, address, mobile number, age and place of work or school to gisday2020@gislk.com to receive the free link to join in.
GIS is considered one of the fastest growth areas of ICT and it is a technology that can be used across all industries; to plan, manage assets, make right decisions, save time & money, collaborate and work more efficiently and optimize on resources. Many career paths are there for those who pursue GIS as a career and it’s a high demand profession both locally & globally. Developed nations reap the full benefits of GIS at a high growth rate.
GIS and Spatial Data is such an important aspect for the country’s development that the Government of Sri Lanka has launched an initiative to necessitate a National Spatial Data Infrastructure for the nation.
“GIS Solutions’ vision is to help our nation reap the full benefits of GIS technology, to take Sri Lanka to the next level. GIS Solutions sees its mission as “Enhancing Life through Geo Information technology”.
GIS Solutions is a 100% Sri Lankan company that has led this specialized Technology market and expanded the technology penetration, from ArcGIS being just a mapping tool to a fully-fledged decision support, monitoring and collaboration tool and propagated its use. GIS Solutions is a member of the Just In Time Group (JIT) - a veteran in the ICT Systems and Integrated Solutions sector in Sri Lanka, with over 24 years of experience.
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