1. GeoSpatial Technology: The role of the University Dr. Oualid (Walid) Ben Ali Founder and Director of the GIS center H.o.D of the MIS Department University of Sharjah UAE

2. Introduction Maps are everywhere.

3. GeoSpatial Driven economy: Personal experience Real time Patrol car allocation: Save time, money, and lives Early fog notification system using GeoSpatial technology and mobile technology Sustainable development: Save the environment and the planet Etc.

4. GeoSpatial Driven economy We save time We save money We save lives We save the whole planet GeoSpayial in everything GeoSpatial technology is a REVOLUTION A competitive advantage before is becoming a necessity now.

5. Hurdles on the road Lack of awareness Lack of capacity Lack of trained staff Lack of cooperation Etc.

6. Current situation Community Community entities

7. Current situation Community Community entities GeoSpatial need

8. Current situation Community University Community entities GeoSpatial need Training Recruitment Nothing

9. What we have done? In order to tackle the hurdles : – Lack of awareness – Lack of capacity

10. What we have done? In order to tackle the hurdles : – Lack of awareness – Lack of capacity

11. The starting point The University, or even before

12. GeoSpatial technology Awareness Free lectures about GIS and GeoSpatial technology Injection of GIS and GeoSpatial study cases in the courses’ content

13. Seminar sessions and invited guests in the GIS Field Experts talking about GeoSpatial technology

14. Establishing a GIS Center at the University The GIS center of the University of Sharjah Website and online marketing

15. Attending GIS events Attending GeoSpatial events and making contacts

16. What we have done? In order to tackle the hurdles : – Lack of awareness – Lack of capacity

17. Free tools and trainings Free GIS tools Free training sessions: Basic concepts about GeoSpatial technology

18. The development of a website and a GeoSpatial portal A one-shop stop portal about GeoSpatial Technology

20. Organizing GeoSpatial Job fair and Career day

21. The role of the University : University-Community relationship Community University Community entities GeoSpatial need

22. Organizing a GeoSpatial events Organizing GeoSpatial events such as workshops, symposiums, workshops, conferences, etc.

23. Recruitment and placement Arrange the recruitment between the University and the GeoSpatial Community

24. Contacting the GeoSpatial community We are working on the creation of a GeoBook (like facebook) which collect and put in contact hundred of experts in GeoSpatial Technology: Online forums and conferences about GeoSpatial Technology

25. University-Community relationship Community University Community entities GeoSpatial need

26. Another role of the Academia The research, in order to tackle the future challenges of the GeoSpatial Technology

27. Another role of the Academia

28. Conclusion It start from the University, or even before

29. Thank you Contact: – Dr. Oualid (Walid) Ben Ali: Head of the Management Information Systems (MIS) Department, University of Sharjah – Founder and Director of the GIS Center of the University of Sharjah – Email: Oali@sharjah.ac.aeOali@sharjah.ac.ae – Email: ali.walid@gmail.comali.walid@gmail.com – Website: www.walidali.netwww.walidali.net