From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
The Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), Kaduna State Branch, has urged the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, to establish a Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics, to enhance the university’s academic programs and support national progress.
The request was made on Wednesday, during a courtesy visit by the NIS Kaduna Executive Council to the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor William Barnabas Qurix.
Representing the delegation, NIS Kaduna Chairman Surv. Maikano Samson, congratulated the university management on its impressive achievements in a short period and its recognition by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
He pointed out that surveying and geoinformatics are essential fields for physical development, emphasizing that every engineering project, housing scheme, road, dam, airport, and agricultural initiative starts with accurate survey data.
“With the rapid progress in geospatial technologies such as Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing, (GNSS), drone mapping, and spatial data analytics, there has never been a better time to introduce this program,” Samson stated.
He added that a Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics would complement existing programs like Civil Engineering, Architecture, Agriculture, Geography, Urban and Regional Planning, Environmental Science, Geology, and Computer Science.
The NIS Chair also committed to collaborating with the university through curriculum development, resource verification, mentorship, industrial training, joint research, and professional guidance.
He listed potential partnership areas, including community mapping, smart agriculture, land administration, environmental monitoring, disaster risk management, and climate change studies.
Additionally, NIS requested that registered surveyors be involved in all land-related and infrastructural projects at the university, and that both institutions work towards signing a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize their partnership.
In response, Vice-Chancellor Professor William Barnabas Qurix described the visit as a gesture of solidarity and welcomed the collaboration.
“For us as a university of Applied Sciences, surveying or geoinformatics is indeed a branch of Applied Sciences, and we are delighted that they have indicated interest in partnering with us. Our doors are open, and we are ready to partner with them,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted that surveyors could play a crucial role in the university’s growth, given the vast undeveloped land and the need for faculty buildings, hostels, and roads.
He further acknowledged the proposal to introduce a program in Surveying and Geoinformatics, describing it as a positive suggestion that will be considered at the appropriate time.
Both parties expressed hope that this visit marks the beginning of a fruitful relationship between the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, and the NIS Kaduna State Branch.
