Esri India, the leading provider of geographic information system (GIS) solutions, has partnered with the Centre for Knowledge Sovereignty (CKS), a public policy think tank, to launch a free geospatial training program for students across the country. The program, called Master Mentors Geo-Enabling Indian Scholars (MMGEIS), aims to make India a global hub for geospatial technology by introducing geospatial thinking to students from eighth grade to undergraduates.
MMGEIS program to train 100K students annually
The MMGEIS program is designed to spread geospatial awareness and skills among students and to encourage them to pursue geospatial research and innovation. The program will also foster a strong intellectual property (IP) framework to enable more patents from India in the field of geospatial technology.
The program will train up to 100,000 students annually over the next five years, starting from June 2024. The pilot phase of the program, covering 1,000 students, will commence in January 2024. The program will be delivered through online and offline modes, using readings, quizzes, video courses, and interactive activities.
The program will also provide mentorship and guidance to the students from leading scientists and innovators in the geospatial domain, such as A S Kiran Kumar, former chairman of ISRO, Dr K J Ramesh, former director general of meteorology, IMD, Lt Gen Girish Kumar, former surveyor general of India, Vinit Goenka, secretary of CKS, and Agendra Kumar, managing director of Esri India.
MMGEIS program to boost India’s geospatial potential
The MMGEIS program is aligned with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes experiential learning and applying information to real-world situations. The program will help students develop spatial thinking, which is the ability to analyze and interpret spatial data and patterns. This will enable them to create innovative solutions and products using geospatial technology, which has applications in various sectors, such as agriculture, urban planning, disaster management, health, and education.
The program will also help India tap into its geospatial potential, which is estimated to be worth $14 billion by 2025, according to a report by NITI Aayog. The program will contribute to India’s goal of becoming a global geospatial innovation hub, enhancing its position on the innovation index, stimulating IP creation, and driving economic growth and social progress.
MMGEIS program receives support from industry and government
The MMGEIS program has received support and appreciation from various stakeholders in the industry and the government. The program was launched at a roundtable discussion in Delhi, attended by representatives from ISRO, IMD, Survey of India, NITI Aayog, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Science and Technology.
The program has also been endorsed by the Association of Geospatial Industries (AGI), which is the apex body of the geospatial industry in India. The AGI has expressed its willingness to collaborate with the MMGEIS program and to provide internship and placement opportunities to the students.
The program has also been praised by the students who have enrolled in the pilot phase. The students have expressed their excitement and curiosity about learning geospatial technology and its applications. The students have also appreciated the quality and accessibility of the program content and the mentorship from the experts.
