Last week it took place at University of Jaén (UJA) the III Conference “Geomatics: Profession of the future”organized by the Higher Polytechnic School of Jaén (EPSJ), with the aim of promoting this modern discipline, noted as one of the most promising for the future and least known among young people. This day was chaired by the rector of the University of Jaén, Juan Gomezaccompanied by the vice-rector of Students, Mª Luisa del Moraland the director of the EPSJ, Francisco Javier Gallego.
Among the scheduled activities, a drone was delivered to the winner of the “Geomatics Contest” developed during the past “UJA Meetings”, Javier Eliche Garcíastudent at IES “Las Fuentezuelas” in Jaén.
For his part, the director of the Department of Cartographic, Geodetic and Photogrammetry Engineering, Antonio M. Ruiz armorers, presented the new “4D Augmented Reality Geomatic Simulator” (SIGRA 4D) in a portable version, a device capable of recreating terrain models from a sandbox. Ruiz Armenteros stated that the objective of this device is to support the training of students of the Degree in Geomatic and Topographic Engineering, since it combines disciplines such as Cartography, Topography, Photogrammetry, Computer Science, Mathematics, etc. He also highlighted that this new portable version aims to bring Geomatics closer to high school students, since being portable makes it possible to organize workshops in the educational centers themselves.
The central event of the day was the round table “Degree in Geomatic and Topographic Engineering: a commitment to the future”, in which three EPSJ graduates, well placed in leading companies in the sector, participated: Oscar Franco (Georbital), Juan Pedro Cano (4D GeoServices) and Rafael Hernandez (Ofiteat), together with Andres Diezdean of the Illustrious Official College of Geomatic and Topographical Engineering, and Mª Isabel Ramos, deputy director of the EPSJ, who acted as moderator. The participants highlighted the new approach given to this degree, which derives from the previous Technical Engineering in Topography, with the incorporation of modern technologies developed around geolocation and the virtual recreation of reality with the massive use of ICT. Likewise, they highlighted the enormous potential of this degree, which has specific competencies recognized at the European level, as stated in the ESCO (European Classification of Skills/Competences and Qualifications and Occupations), which considers Geomatics professionals as urban planners, cartographers , surveyors, land surveyors, among others.
The importance of the Geomatics and Topography Engineer was also highlighted in work related to geographic information systems, digital modeling of buildings and facilities, or the cadastre, where a professional with this profile is essential both in updating work and in geopositioning, sizing and management in the plot information system. All the professionals present at the table agreed on the multidisciplinarity of Geomatic and Topographic Engineering, as well as its transversal nature, which, together with its close relationship with information and communication technologies, makes these professionals very versatile and have a wide variety of professional opportunities. The three members of the board who graduated from the UJA agreed to recognize the good teaching received in their years as students at the EPSJ, as well as the closeness and support received from their teaching staff, who they consider to be very qualified and knowledgeable about the different subjects. They concluded by encouraging the high school students present in the room to consider the Degree in Geomatics and Topographic Engineering as an option when choosing university studies, if they want to bet on a promising future.
