��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge earns more than $1.3 million in TECTERRA support of geomatics students and programs

trevor.kenney — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 15:11:38 +0000

Geomatics students at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge are the key benefactors of a substantial investment from TECTERRA today, as the Canadian non-profit supporter of geomatics technology innovation has invested $5.2 million in a Legacy Program for Alberta-based universities.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), and Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) are recipients of this program. The Legacy Program offers financial aid for geomatics undergraduates, helps geomatics graduates commercialize technologies within their institution, attracts aspiring geomatics enthusiasts, offers co-op and internship opportunities for job placement, and invests in advanced technology to enhance geomatics education.

The TECTERRA gift will support geomatics students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Here, a student collects data in the field.

What it means for ULethbridge is more than $1.3 million from TECTERRA to fund various undergraduate and graduate awards for students engaged in geomatics-related fields along with other supports to grow capacity in this important area of study. ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Board of Governors is also matching a portion of the funds as part of its commitment to student scholarships and bursaries.

“Providing financial support for our future leaders breaks down financial barriers that prevent students from being able to commit to their education full-time,” says Dr. Craig Coburn, professor and Chair of the Department of Geography and Environment. “With this strong financial support at the undergraduate and graduate level, unique programs, such as our undergraduate major in Remote Sensing, will continue to grow by attracting great students. Additionally, the graduate funding contribution is also important as it will allow students to pursue geospatial science and contribute to Alberta's vibrant geospatial community.”

The chosen post-secondaries will be recipients of financial support and expert guidance from TECTERRA, enabling them to actualize their industry-leading geomatics programs. This collaboration will have a substantial impact on moulding the future of the geomatics sector in Alberta and beyond.

“TECTERRA is excited to embark on this new journey of collaboration with Alberta’s universities,” says Monty Carter, Board Chair at TECTERRA. “Our aim is to fuel the geomatics industry’s growth by nurturing the talents of young minds, fostering innovation, and bridging academia with industry. Together, we’ll shape a bright future for geospatial technology in Alberta and Canada.”

Geomatics is a branch of science that deals with the collection, analysis and interpretation of data relating to the Earth’s surface. Geomatics-related fields include remote sensing, image analysis, cartography, resource management, GIS (geographic information system) analysis and consulting, among many others. TECTERRA, established in 2010, is a non-profit organization assisting geomatics technology companies and educators across Alberta. After more than a decade of successful collaboration with technology companies to expedite innovation, TECTERRA is now directing its focus toward academia to foster the next generation of geospatial experts and entrepreneurs.

“For the last decade, TECTERRA has supported growth and promoted innovation and commercialization across Canada’s geospatial technology sectors,” says Dr. Chris Hopkinson, a researcher in the Department of Geography & Environment and the Advanced Resolution Terradynamics Monitoring System Laboratory (ARTeMiS). “It’s great to see these Legacy Program investments to Alberta’s post-secondary institutions, where funds will support and reward innovations by emerging geospatial scholars, leaders and entrepreneurs.”

Hopkinson group part of documentary work on avalanche slope

trevor.kenney — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 18:03:19 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s ARTeMiS (advanced-resolution terradynamic monitoring system) Lab will be featured as part of a science documentary recently filmed by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and the Public Broadcasting System (PBS).

Zhouxin Xi, Dr. Chris Hopkinson, Thomas Porter and Celeste Barnes were on site for four days at Fortress Mountain.

Dr. Chris Hopkinson, Chair in Terrestrial Ecosystem Remote Sensing and a member of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Department of Geography, was contacted by the BBC/PBS production to join a group of international scientists as they examined an avalanche slope on Fortress Mountain in Kananaskis Country. Hopkinson, an expert in LiDAR (light detection and ranging), agreed to take part if he could also include some of his students in the work.

“Zhouxin Xi, Celeste Barnes and Thomas Porter all joined me and did an excellent job representing the U of L in a very professional manner,” says Hopkinson.

The project was a collaboration of four international scientists led by Dr. Jim McElwaine of Durham ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in the UK.

“Over a period of four days, we collected a lot of 3D data over the avalanche slope and were able to estimate avalanche volumes before the avalanche was triggered,” says Hopkinson. “McElwaine modelled the avalanche behaviour using slope morphology and snow density data. He used our initial laser scan to assist in training the model, and then we scanned again after the avalanche to estimate the volume of snow in the avalanche to partially validate the model.”

The film crew shooting a segment with members of the U of L contingent.

Barnes, a PhD student working on mountain snowpack visualization and modeling using LiDAR, Xi, a PhD student working on terrestrial laser scanner algorithm development, and Porter, an undergraduate student and research associate supporting various mountain water and ecosystem research projects, were all interviewed by the BBC/PBS film crew. In addition, Porter employed a drone throughout the exercise and it’s expected some of his footage will be used in the film.

The documentary is currently in post-production and is expected to be released in the fall of 2018.

“Working on what felt like a military filming and interview schedule was both exhausting and exhilarating for all concerned. The mix of professors and students working side-by-side on a shared and high-tech time-sensitive research goal with cameras rolling was the most intensely educational experience I could imagine,” says Hopkinson. “The U of L laser scanning effort could not have succeeded without the hard work and dedication shown by Celeste, Zhouxin and Thomas. I am fortunate and proud to have been a member of such a talented team.”

UNews - ARTeMiS

��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge earns more than $1.3 million in TECTERRA support of geomatics students and programs

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