19 September 2011

International GIScience Workshop organized by the Department and the Centre for Geoinformatics - University of Salzburg


The Department of Geography - University of the Philippines Diliman hosted a Geographic Information Science (GIScience) workshop in collaboration with the Centre for Geoinformatics (Z_GIS) - University of Salzburg last 15-19 August 2011. Entitled "SPATIALreason: Integrating Spatial Reasoning in Interdisciplinary Research and Education", the workshop emphasized the importance of "spatial reasoning" while employing geographical information system (GIS) tools. These tools can be used in various spatial analysis for natural resource management, environmental conservation, education, research, spatial planning & decision making, sustainable development, etc.

The workshop also served as a venue for the transfer of GIS know-how and networking among faculty and graduate students from the Southeast Asian region.  Participants came from Indonesia (2), Malaysia (1), Philippines (5), Thailand (6), and Vietnam (2).  Dr. Shahnawaz of Z_GIS conducted the workshop in coordination with Mr. Emmanuel Garcia and Prof. Ma. Simeona Martinez of the Department.

This is the first of the two international GIS workshops scheduled to be hosted by the Department.  The next workshop will be held on November 4-8, 2011. Both workshops are part of the international academic cooperation between the Centre for Geoinformatics (Z_GIS) - University of Salzburg, Austria and the Department of Geography - University of the Philippines Diliman.