Conference-goers To The North American Surveying And Mapping Educators Conference Organize Formally

Wilkes-Barre, PA. -- July 20, 2010.  – Dr. Charles Ghilani, Professor of Engineering at Pennsylvania State University-Wilkes-Barre, and newly elected President of the Surveying and Geomatics Educators Society (SaGES), announced the formation of this society, which holds biennial conferences on surveying and geomatics education topics and conducts business that promotes effective teaching and learning of surveying, mapping, geomatics, and other spatially-related education.

Dr. Ghilani said, “Once we get rolling, we hope to be a leading organization for the promotion of best teaching and learning practices in geomatics education. We will work on developing an educational environment that meets the needs of industry and government and cooperates with other professional societies at every level, including international, to support geomatics education.”

The North American Surveying and Mapping Educators conferences have been held since the 1930s. The society developed from business meetings held at the conclusion of the last two conferences in Big Rapids, Mich. (2007) and Johnson City, Tenn. (2009), where the consensus was to create a formal organization to sustain interest and activities on issues related to geomatics education.

At the July 2009 meeting, by-laws were adopted which were ratified by vote of the 2007 and 2009 attendees.  Nominations for officers and voting were conducted in time for officers and board members to take office on January 1, 2010. The elected board members are Tom Seybert, Bill Hazelton, Jim Crossfield and Bob Burtch. Officers elected in addition to Ghilani include Steve Johnson, President-elect, Joe Paiva, Secretary, and Rich Vannozzi, Treasurer.

“We’re still organizing, and would like to invite all who are engaged in full-time or part-time teaching of geomatics subjects as well as those with a strong interest in geomatics education to join us.” said Ghilani.

The XXIII conference on surveying and geomatics education is scheduled to be held June 8 – 11, 2011 at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez.

About SaGES
SaGES is intended to be a forum that creates opportunities for academia, industry, and government to collaborate, exchange ideas, promote common causes, and develop ways to improve geomatics teaching and learning. For more information visit the temporary website at http://surveying.wb.psu.edu/sages. Information about the society including bylaws may be found here. Interested parties may contact Joe Paiva to be placed on the membership roster.