Cotton University, NECTAR Collaborate to Empower Geospatial Learning in Northeast

GUWAHATI: A 10-day training module on GIS and remote sensing, jointly organized by the Centre for Clouds and Climate Change Research (CCCCR), Cotton University, and the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR), Shillong, commenced on Tuesday at Dimoria (Autonomous) College. This Mobile Campus Course is designed to equip students, researchers, and professionals with practical expertise in GIS, remote sensing, digital image processing, and cartography.

The Vice-Chancellor of Cotton University, Prof. R.C. Deka, inaugurated the event, emphasizing the university's commitment to fostering research-driven education and technological skill development in the Northeast region. The Chief Guest, Director General (DG) of NECTAR, Dr. Arun Sharma, delivered an insightful keynote address, highlighting the crucial role of GIS and remote sensing in global and regional development. In his keynote address, the Director General of NECTAR provided a comprehensive overview of how GIS and remote sensing have transformed modern research, decision-making, and governance. He stated, "The world today is witnessing rapid advancements in geospatial technology. GIS and remote sensing are no longer confined to specialized fields but have become indispensable tools in multiple domains-including climate monitoring, disaster management, resource mapping, and urban planning. For regions like Northeast India, which face unique environmental and socio-economic challenges, the application of these technologies can be a game-changer. From improving agricultural productivity and biodiversity conservation to better disaster preparedness and infrastructure planning, GIS and remote sensing provide a data-driven approach to decision-making. Training programs like this are essential for ensuring that students, researchers, and professionals gain the necessary skills to contribute meaningfully to India's technological growth and environmental resilience."

He also emphasized that NECTAR is committed to expanding geospatial research and application programs in the Northeast region, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical implementation.

The Special Secretary to the Government of Assam and Director of Assam State Space Application Centre, P.L.N. Raju, was also present and shared his perspectives on the growing importance of geospatial technologies in governance, environmental management, and sustainable development. Speaking on the occasion, P.L.N. Raju provided an expert analysis of how space-based technologies and remote sensing applications are being integrated into policy frameworks for effective governance. He stated, ""We are at a stage where geospatial intelligence is no longer optional-it is essential for informed decision-making. At the Assam State Space Application Centre, we are working to integrate real-time geospatial data into disaster risk reduction, agriculture management, land-use planning, and water resource management."

On the sidelines of the programme the Director of the Centre for Clouds and Climate Change Research, Cotton University, Dr. Rahul Mahanta, emphasized the comprehensive nature of the training module and its potential to empower future professionals in geospatial sciences. He remarked, "This 10-day training module is designed to ensure that participants gain a strong conceptual foundation, technical skills, and hands-on experience in geospatial technologies. We have curated a syllabus that provides a progressive learning approach, starting with the fundamentals of GIS and remote sensing and advancing to digital image processing, photogrammetry, cartography, and GPS-based field data collection. With access to software tools like ArcGIS, Q-GIS, IGIS, ERDAS, and GRASS GIS, participants will develop industry-relevant skills that can be applied in research, urban planning, disaster management, and environmental monitoring. Our vision is to establish a sustainable network of GIS professionals who can address the environmental and developmental challenges of the Northeast," stated a press release.

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