Drones potential use in geomatics highlighted

Manama, Dec. 11 (BNA): The Department of Geomatics at the College of Graduate Studies, Arabian Gulf University (AGU) has organised an outreach seminar on the prospects and possibilities of using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, drones, in the field of geomatics. The aim of that seminar attended by six governmental agencies was to inform the participants on the efforts and potentials of the Department and the University in this field, as well as to review the most important opportunities and innovative solutions provided by this technology along the most important obstacles and hindrances that must be overcome to make the best use of it. External speakers from Bentley Systems were invited to provide examples of practical use of drones’ imagery for 3D reality modelling in various applications. Dr. Ali El Battay, assistant professor of remote sensing and geoinformatics, in charge of the capacities building initiative in the field of Drones for Geomatics, said that "the Kingdom of Bahrain has all the elements that will enable it to lead in this field". He pointed out that "the establishment of a national programme in this direction and in line with the Kingdom's strategic plan is within reach and totally feasible in the foreseeable future". He added that "In contrast to the establishment of a national programme of Earth observation satellites for peaceful purposes, the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and their adaptation to civilian applications is affordable in terms of cost and human capacity. Such programme will be able to provide most of the needs of various government agencies of imagery of high spectral, temporal and spatial resolutions. In fact, Bahrain has the potential to become a global leader in the use of drones in geomatics." Dr. Sabah Al-Junaid, head of the Geoinformatics Department, said that "this seminar was an affirmation of the interest of the President of the Arab Gulf University, Dr. Khalid Al-Ohaly, in line with the vision, mission and strategy of the university in adopting and encouraging innovation in the GCC countries. The department of the Geoinformatics is open to cooperation, as an academic body, with all interested parties in order to open the door to adopting a national vision for Drones for Geomatics in the Kingdom of Bahrain."