Jan. 18: The department of geology, Cotton College, the only institute offering courses on GIS (geographical information system) and GPS (global positioning system) in the region, is introducing two more courses: digital image processing and principle of remote sensing and its applications in natural resource management from the next academic year.

Course co-ordinator Santanu Sarma said the department is also upgrading its certificate course on Concept of GIS and GPS. The duration of the course will be increased and the new course will incorporate more practical lessons. At present the course is of three weeks? duration.

The course was started in 2001 and till date 70 candidates (students and professionals) have taken the course. Twelve project officers of disaster management cells from various districts across the state have also been trained at the department.

The programme focuses on the proper management of natural resource information, GIS application, data input of GIS, geographic co-ordinate system, and GIS observation of the region.

Funded by the Union department of science and technology (DST), the Cotton College department is the only institute to impart training on these subjects to professionals and government officials.

?As is the case with many cutting-edge technologies, most people have little or no knowledge of the GIS and its impact on a person?s daily routine. Yet, hundreds of thousands of people nowadays use the technology, knowingly or unknowingly, and it touches the lives of millions,? said Parag Jyoti Dutta, joint co-ordinator of the course.

Associated with research sponsored by the department of science and technology (DST), and University Grants Commission, the department has the resources and the infrastructure to undertake various training and project-based activities in the fields of remote sensing, GIS and GPS.

Established in 1959, the department of geology, Cotton College started as a small under graduate department. It attained postgraduate status in 1986. The department has produced geo-scientists, who associated with several academic and industrial organisations of national and international repute.