National Task Force on Geospatial Education Presented to HRD Minister

The Union Minister for Human Resource Development Dr M M Pallam Raju was presented a report on "Geospatial Education" by Dr K Kasturirangan, Member Planning Commission who headed the National Task Force on ‘Evolving Geospatial Strategy' here today.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr M M Pallam Raju said that XII Five Year Plan has a vision of rapid, sustainable and more inclusive growth and to meet the ambitious targets enlisted in Plan document and beyond, harnessing and augmenting Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is the need of the hour.

Geospatial Technology assumes special importance as it facilitates planning, implementation, and monitoring of projects of national importance, the HRM added.

Realizing the significance of Geospatial Education, a National Task Force on ‘Evolving Education Strategy' was constituted by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) under the Chairmanship of Dr K Kasturirangan.

The Task force now has come up with its recommendations on overall issues with Geospatial Education in the country at School Level, University level, Training and outreach needs, need for high end research, and also the possibility of setting up of an institution for Geospatial education.

Dr. M M Pallam Raju expressed his happiness and congratulated Dr K Kasturirangan and National Task Force Members for their remarkable endeavours to bring the Report. He further said that this Report will lay strong foundation for Geospatial Education, which will distinguish India among the forefront of Nations.

Dr. K Kasturirangan highlighted the salient points of the Report.

He said that National Task Force has given a four-pronged recommendations on Geospatial Strategy which includes:

• School Geospatial Education Project (SGEP) led by the Department of School Education, MHRD;
• Geospatial University Networking Project (GUNP) led by the Department of Higher education, MHRD;
• Geospatial Training and Outreach Project (GTOP) led by Department of Science & Technology (DST);
• National Institute of Geospatial Knowledge, Engineering and Management (NGKEM) led by MHRD and DST.

He further mentioned that a high-level management council is also recommended with Minister, MHRD as Chair and Member (Science), Planning Commission as Co-chair, with various Secretaries as Members and experts as Members, for guiding and supervising the implementation of recommendations.

He also thanked the Union Minister for Human Resource Development for providing him and his team an opportunity to prepare a report on Geospatial Education which has immense potential to augment the growth of country.