Open Source Geospatial Knowledge Partner

A joint initiative of the IIT Bombay FOSSEE GIS/Geospatial project (under the aegis of the National Mission on Education through ICT (NMEICT), Ministry of Education, Government of India), The Rural Data Research and Analysis Lab & Partner Institutions

The recognition is conferred upon the Interdisciplinary Department of Remote Sensing & GIS Applications at Aligarh Muslim University for its contributions to the Open Source Geospatial community. The dawn of geospatial technology and its applications in Earth Sciences at the Aligarh Muslim University dates back to the establishment of the Remote Sensing Applications Center for Resource Evaluation and Geoengineering in 1984, under the directorship of Late Prof. Iqbaluddin. The centre began the MPhil Program in 1987 and the PhD Program in 1990. Nine MPhil and seven PhD degrees were awarded to students in remote sensing. During the session 2014–15, the center was converted into an independent department of study within the Faculty of Science – the Interdisciplinary Department of Remote Sensing and GIS Applications. The department offers a postgraduate program, MSc in Remote Sensing & GIS Applications, with an intake of 20 students. And a doctoral program, PhD in Remote Sensing & GIS Applications, with variable intake. The department has emerged as a nationally and internationally recognised centre for education, research, and capacity building in geospatial sciences. At the international level, the department has achieved a significant milestone by becoming a member of the United Nations–Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) Academic Network, reflecting its global academic standing and alignment with international geospatial governance and sustainable development goals. The department has also been honoured with membership of the United Nations University (UNU) ProsperNet, strengthening its engagement in global sustainability education, research, and policy-oriented initiatives. The department has consistently contributed to high-quality research and human resource development, with scholars actively engaged in cutting-edge areas such as remote sensing, earth observation, geographical information systems, spatial analysis, water resource and climate studies, natural resource management, environmental monitoring, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable development. Every year, doctoral and postgraduate students from the department progress to doctoral and postdoctoral programmes at prestigious institutions and to professional positions at the national and international levels. At the national level, the department has contributed significantly through postgraduate and doctoral training, interdisciplinary research, academic publications, and participation in national conferences, workshops, and training programmes. The department maintains strong academic linkages with national research organisations, universities, and government agencies engaged in geospatial studies. Equipped with a state-of-the-art geospatial analysis laboratory, modern classrooms, and a dedicated seminar library, the department provides an advanced academic and research ecosystem. It regularly organises expert lectures, seminars, workshops, and outreach activities (including IIRS–ISRO Outreach) to promote geospatial awareness and skill development among students and researchers. Through its academic excellence, research output, international affiliations, and national contributions, the department continues to strengthen AMU's position as a leading institution in geospatial technology and applications, contributing meaningfully to science, policy, and sustainable development at both national and global levels. The students from this prestigious institution have competed and emerged as Champions, Winners, and notable participants in the National Level competitions like IIT Bombay FOSSEE Geospatial Mapathon since 2020, and have successfully made their spot in the coveted IIT Bombay FOSSEE Internship and Summer Fellowship, and the National Geospatial Internship, etc, all of which are organized by the FOSSEE GIS project, IIT Bombay under the aegis of the National Mission on Education through ICT (NMEICT), Ministry of Education, Government of India. Aligarh Muslim University won the 'Best University Award', and Prof. Haris Hasan Khan, Associate Professor & Chairperson of the Department of Remote Sensing and GIS Applications, won the National Geospatial Faculty Fellow (National) Award, which was given by Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay, during the National Geospatial Awards (Edition 01) ceremony organized as part of the Open Source GIS Day celebrations on 15 September 2024 (India's National Engineers Day; Birth anniversary of Sir M. Visveswaraya). Its enduring contributions stand as a testament to its unwavering commitment to advancing geospatial knowledge for the benefit of society and future generations. The IIT Bombay FOSSEE GIS (NMEICT) project team, the Rural Data Research and Analysis (RuDRA) Lab, and partner institutions warmly cherish their association with the Department of Remote Sensing and GIS Applications at Aligarh Muslim University, and wish them with a commitment to support the University and its departments with all project benefits that are evolved from time to time for the betterment of the teaching fraternity and student community present at large.