Shillong, May 15: The Two-week Training Workshop on “Geospatial Technology and Applications” (May 4–15, 2026), jointly organized by North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong and the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR), concluded today with a valedictory programme held at NEHU, Shillong.
The programme was conducted under the aegis of the School of Human and Environmental Sciences, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong.
The workshop aimed to bring together participants and experts to explore the role of geospatial technologies in advancing research, resource management, and sustainable development across the North-Eastern Region of India. A total of 50 participants from various departments of NEHU registered for the training programme.
The inaugural session commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Atul Kumar Singh, Coordinator and Assistant Professor, Department of Geology, NEHU, who underscored the significance of geospatial technologies in addressing contemporary environmental and developmental challenges.
Prof. Devesh Walia, Dean, School of Human and Environmental Sciences, NEHU, outlined the objectives of the workshop and emphasized the expanding role of GIS and remote sensing in scientific research, planning, and sustainable resource management.
Dr. Arun Kumar Sarma, Director General, NECTAR, in his address highlighted the importance of geospatial technologies in disaster management, natural resource assessment, and regional development. The inaugural programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms. S. Phalneihat.
The two-week training programme comprised a series of lectures and hands-on sessions conducted by experts from North-Eastern Hill University, (NEHU) Shillong and North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) including Prof. Devesh Walia, Dr. Rajendra Jena, Dr. Atul Kumar Singh, Dr. Shikhar Kumar, Dr. Meghali Baruah, and Ms. Roshni Rai along with the NECTAR team.
The sessions covered a wide range of topics such as GIS fundamentals, optical and microwave remote sensing, digital image processing, classification techniques, accuracy assessment, and cartography.
Practical sessions emphasized satellite image interpretation, georeferencing, supervised and unsupervised classification, and GIS-based map preparation and publication.
Lectures on the fundamentals of maps, including types, scale, and cartographic elements, along with cartographic principles and map publication standards, were delivered by subject experts.
Sessions on digital image processing techniques and remote sensing concepts, including navigation systems, were also conducted. Practical sessions facilitated by the expert team provided participants with hands-on training in GIS applications, map creation, and spatial data analysis.
During the second week, the focus shifted towards field-based geospatial applications, including GPS-based data collection, understanding of navigation systems such as NAVIC and GLONASS, and conversion of field data into GIS-compatible formats using GPS devices and open-source mobile applications.
These sessions highlighted the practical importance of geospatial technologies in real-time data acquisition, analysis, and informed decision-making.
The valedictory programme marked the successful completion of the training workshop and concluded with the distribution of certificates to the participants by Prof. Devesh Walia, Dean, School of Human and Environmental Sciences, NEHU.
The programme has significantly contributed towards enhancing technical competencies and fostering the effective application of geospatial technologies in research, planning, and sustainable development in the North-Eastern Region.
