Admission Notice for refresher course in “Digital Cartography”

The Department of Geography, GC University Lahore is organizing a refresher course in “Digital Cartography” (GIS, Remote Sensing) from 18-04-2012 to 23-04-2012 and course conducted by foreign skilled faculty. The refresher course is market driven program and will be a milestone for the promotion of recent tools (GPS, Total Station, etc.) in the subjects.

Analysis shows that 70-80 percent of all activities in our society are carried out on the basis of geographical information. A well-developed infrastructure for geodata is necessary to use modern geographical information technology in the most efficient way.

Application forms are available from the offices of the Chairperson, Department of Geography and the Registrar GC University, Lahore. Last date for the submission of the form is 16-04-2012.

(Revised:09-04-2012)

REFRESHER COURSE IN DIGITAL CARTOGRAPHY

Outline

1.            Introduction: Need and prospects

2.            Digital cartography and GIS

3.            Automated Cartography ( GUI )

4.            Developing Themes ( INPUT )

5.            Legend Editor

6.            Projections ( Conversion and Geo-referencing )

7.            Working with Tables

8.            Magic of satellite Data

9.            Creating Maps

10.         Area Cartogram

11.         Development of Choropleth, Isoline and Dot density Maps

12.         Working with Charts

13.         Presentation Quality Maps ( from Classroom to Conference )

Last date for the submission of Application Form: 16-04-2012.

(Revised:09-04-2012)

DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT SOCIETY ESTABLISHED

The Department of Geography GC University Lahore has established Disaster Risk Management Society by following the direction of Prof. (Meritorious) Dr. Muhammad Khaleeq-Ur-Rahman; Izaz-I-Kamal in the consequence of two days workshop on Disaster Risk Management. The goals of the newly established society include the layout plan, training for pre-disaster preparedness, during disaster response and post- disaster action, education at under graduate and graduate levels, awareness through lectures, seminars, conferences with print as well as electronic media’s involvement, capacity development programs, emergency response system, establishment of early warning system, disaster risk management planning, mainstreaming disaster risk reduction into development and coordination with NDMA, NIDM, PDMA and UNDP and community and local level programming.

(05-04-2012)

WORKSHOP ON DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT HELD AT GC UNIVERSITY LAHORE

A two days workshop on Disaster Risk Management was organized at the University under the aegis of the Department of Geography, NDMA, PDMA and UNDRM. Prof. (Meritorious) Dr. Muhammad Khaleeq-Ur-Rahman; Izaz-I-Kaml, Vice Chancellor, GC University Lahore was the Chief Guest at the workshop in the closing ceremony. Addressing to the audience, he expressed that Pakistan is prone to flooding and earthquakes and these disasters are impending in future too, so to cope with critical situations in an adequate and positive way, the plans of NDMA, NIDM and PDMA should be shared and consequently the youth should be equipped with capacity building skills.

The participants of the workshop with

Prof. (Meritorious) Dr. Muhammad Khaleeq-Ur-Rahman; Vice Chancellor GC University Lahore

Prof. Khaleeq said it’s a matter of great concern for us that we are gathered here for a training workshop to become aware and consequently prepare ourselves in order to mitigate the risk of disaster or any natural as well as human induced calamity.

Prof. Ali Iqtadar Mirza; Chairperson, the Department of Geography briefly introduced the courses being taught at the University including Disaster Management with GIS and Remote Sensing applications. He did pay thanks to NDMA, NIDM Government of Punjab, PDMA, and UNDP for giving opportunity to move forward and work collaboratively in National Capacity Development Programmes.

(05-04-2012)

GCU GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT ORGANIZING TWO-DAY TRAINING WORKSHOP ON DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT

GCU Lahore Geography Department is organizing a workshop on Disaster Risk Management in collaboration with One United Nations Disaster Risk Management Joint Program (One UN DRM JP) and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) ON 18^th and 19^th of January, 2012 in Fazl-e-Hussain Reading Room GC University Lahore. The workshop includes lectures and discussions on the causes, risk reduction, mitigation and preparedness for disaster. It also aims to impart training and develop necessary skills among participants that how to reduce socio-economic vulnerabilities to disaster, as well as dealing with environmental, and other hazards that trigger them.

(12-01-2012)

GCU & UVAS hold workshop on application GIS, GPS technologies in Public Health Significance

The GC University Lahore Department of Geography and University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore (UVAS) in collaboration with the Penn State University, USA have conducted a five-day training workshop on “the Application of GIS and GPS Technologies in Public Health Significance”. Participants from all over Pakistan including Balocohistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa participated in the training course which was spread over fifteen technical sessions.

The participants of five-day training workshop on “Application of GIS and GPS technologies in Public Health Significance” pose for a photo with Prof. Dr. Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman Vice Chancellor GCU Lahore

The participants called on GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. (Meritorious) Dr. Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman; Izaz-e-Kamal at the closing of the workshop which was aimed at equipping the participants in geographical data collection and mapping through latest technologies. Talking to the participants, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman said international seminars, workshops and conference provide a platform to students, teachers and scholars to exchange views, ideas and research and such interactions are beneficial for the development of science in Pakistan.

(08-12-2011)

GCU GEOGRAPHY CHAIRPERSON ATTENDED TRAINING COURSE ON GIS AND GPS IN USA

Mr. Ali Iqtadar Mirza; Chairperson, Department of Geography, GC University Lahore did attend a workshop on “Geo-Spatial Mapping and Data Analyses” that was held at Penn State University, USA. He successfully met the training requirements of the workshop. It is worth mentioning here that the Department of Geography, GC University Lahore is also working in a project with the collaboration of Penn State University, USA. In that Project both the countries are jointly sharing their skills and knowledge in the areas of academic and research.

(02-12-2011)

GCU GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT ORGANIZED TRAINING COURSE ON GIS AND GPS TECHNOLOGIES

The Department of Geography, GC University, Lahore and the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, (UVAS) Lahore in collaboration with the Penn state University, USA conducted a training course on GIS and GPS technologies. Participants from all over Pakistan participated in the training course and developed proficiencies. A number of sessions were conducted to flourish skills among participants related to respective field.

(02-12-2011)

GCU LAHORE to strengthen Lahore Met Office database: The Vice Chancellor and DG PMC signs MoU

The GC University Lahore Geography Department will strengthen the database of the Regional Metrological Center Lahore (Met Office) by using the Remote Sensing Technology (RST) and Geographic Information System (GIS). GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ikram-ul-Haq (SI) and Regional Metrological Center Director Mahr Shaibzada Khan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at a graceful ceremony held at the GCU Syndicate Committee Room. Pakistan Metrological Center Director General Arif Mahmood, GCU Dean of Arts and Social Sciences Prof. Dr. Khalid Pervaiz, GCU Registrar Prof. Anjum Nisar, Chairman Geography Department Prof. Ali Iqtadar Mirza, GCU Director Academic Planning and External Links Ms. Fauzia Shaheen and other university faculty members and Met office officials were also present on the occasion.

The Lahore Met Office has also pledged to provide research projects to the B.Sc (Hons) Geography students besides creating internship and job opportunities for them on priority basis in the Lahore Met Office. Both the parties would also jointly hold seminars, training workshops, conferences and lectures for the professional development of students and met officials. The Met Office has also agreed to share information and data with the GCU students for their research projects.

Speaking on the occasion, GCU VC Prof. Dr. Ikram-ul-Haq (SI) said that the GCU Geography Department is very well aware of the challenges and concerns of the globalize world and faculty members have designed special courses to train its students in survey tools, GIS Remote Sensing technologies and their application urban planning, disaster management, water resource management, land use planning and management. He said that the GCU Geography Department is also working as co-investigator with Penn State University, USA in foreign-funded projects. He said that the department is equipped with Total Station, GIS laboratories, GPS, Automatic Level etc.

Pakistan Metrological Center Director General Arif Mahmood said that the met office would further strengthen its ties with the GC University Lahore and would also sign agreements with its other departments for more research and development projects. He also expressed his confidence in the original research and troubleshooting capabilities of faculty at GC University Lahore.

(27-06-2011)

GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT GCU SIGNS MoU to develop PHATA database

The GC University Lahore Geography Department students will digitise manual maps and develop a database for the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency, Punjab (PHATA) by applying modern techniques of the Digital Cartography. GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Khalid Aftab and PHATA Director General Rashid Manzoor signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard. The senior officials of both sides were present also on the occasion. Chairperson Geography Deartment Ali Iqtidar Mirza and Director Academic Planning and External Links Ms Fauzia Shaheen highlighted about the MoU. The GCU will organise workshops for the officials and experts of PHATA to train them about the latest tools and technologies of Geographic Information System (GIS), Remote Sensing, Global Positioning System (GPS), Total Station and Automatic level. However, the PHATA will provide internship opportunities and research projects to the students of GCU Geography Department. The GCU and PHATA has also showed resolve to coordinate and cooperate with each other for joint planning and development ventures and exchange of research material and other relevant information. The university and planning agency will also collaborate to hold conferences and seminars on water resource management, disaster management and land use planning. 

Addressing the MoU signing ceremony, Vice Chancellor GCU Prof. Khalid Aftab laid a stress on interdisciplinary research, saying the challenges and problems of urban development are so diverse and complicated that experts of one discipline cannot address them. “There is dire need to bring together engineers, geographers, economists and experts of different disciplines on one platform to solve the issues,” he said. The Vice Chancellor revealed that the university is also planning to establish Urban Development Study Centre where experts of various disciplines would work on urban planning and resources management. He also laid stress on true implementation of projects planned by the experts without any political pressure. He said that public welfare should be preferred on self interests.

Rashid Manzoor Director General PHATA said that the mushroom and haphazard growth is the biggest challenge of the 21 century which cannot be addressed without the cooperation of the experts. He vowed that the university students would be provided all-out support for their research projects. He hoped that the formal link between GCU and PHATA would prove vital to boost result oriented research.

(28-06-2010)

observatory tour OF Khanas pur to know Socio-Economic and Landforms

TOP

The Geography Department conducted a socio-economic and landforms three days study tour to Khanas Pur and Nathia Gali along with 50 students. The chairperson and faculty members were accompanied with the students.

A group photo taken during long trip to Khanas Pur

The purpose of the tour was solely to provide students sound basis of understanding geography by contacting with physical environment.

(24-06-2010)

THE GEOGRAPHY STUDENTS CONDUCTS Survey OF RAJGARH AREA OF LAHORE

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The Department of Geography conducted a land use survey of Rajgarh area of Lahore on 7^th May 2010 along with B.Sc (Hons) final year students and faculty members. The purpose of the survey was to collect primary land use data. The students were divided into three main groups each having a team leader in order to accelerate the data collection process.

The students also conducted another survey to know socio-economic situation of Rajgarh area on 20^th May, 2010. The purpose of the survey was to collect basic house-hold data (socio-economic). The final year students were provided special questionnaires related to social activities and they conducted about 350 interviews in same area within a short spam of three hours.

(24-06-2010)

THE GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT AND EPD JOINTLY ORGANIZES Air Pollution Survey OF KATCHERY SQUARE LAHORE

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High volume sampler was installed along with the GC University, Lahore periphery which was set to ignition about 24 hours to capture suspended dust particles in the air. The Students were demonstrated over the underpinnings of HVS’s handling by the EPD staff.

(24-06-2010)

GCU GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT STUDENTS Visits to the Environment Protection Department

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A study tour of BSc (Hons) final year students to visit to Environment Protection Department was organized on 30^th of April, 2010. The sole purpose of the visit was to provide sound platform to the students to understand corporate level interactions and to let them enable to acquire maximum knowledge pertaining to their research topics. The students were demonstrated Air Quality Lab, Water Quality Lab and GIS Lab. The students were also debriefed in latest mobile laboratory recently added into the main juncture of EPD.

(24-06-2010)

GPS Survey of Khewra Salt Mines and Kalar Kahar Coal Mines

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A one day long GPS survey of Kalar Kahar and Khewra Salt Ranges was conducted on 27^th March, 2010. The Students were taken to Khewra salt mine to observe rock salt mining process and related physical features.

The students marked most important landmarks of the same area using GPS receivers and published them on satellite images later in lab work.

(24-06-2010)