Surveying EducationAn RMIT Update

Professor Nicholas Chrisman

Discipline Head (Geospatial Science)

RMIT University

RMIT University

• Global university of technology and design

• Strategic Directions:

Global

Urban

Connected

• Our programs must fit within this corporate framework and be:

Relevant

High quality

Financially viable

Specific nature of RMIT

• Has both TAFE and Higher Education segments

–Therefore, two parts to this presentation

TAFE Sector

RMIT University – School of Engineering TAFE

Building, Civil, Surveying and Spatial programs

• All these programs have a Surveying content to deliver

–Diploma of Building and Construction Year 1 & 2 (8 full time and 1 part time groups - 250+ students)

–Advanced Diploma of Engineering Design (Civil) Year 1 & 2 (8 full time and 3 part time groups - 300 students)

–Certificate 3 in Surveying and Spatial Information Services (2 groups - 40 students)

–Diploma of Surveying Year 1 – (2 groups - 64 students; UP 100% - 2013)

–Advanced Diploma of Spatial Information Services Year 2 – (1 group - 24 students 2013)

RMIT University©2011 ISV Regional Conference - Sale 5

RMIT University - Surveying pathways (2011 data)

RMIT University©2012 School of Engineering TAFE 6

95% VTAC orDIRECTAPPLICATION

5%

5%

90%

5% not completed5% exit to industry

50% exit to industry

50% articulate

85%

40% fromindustry firms

95%

2013: 20 articulated; 16 to surveying,

4 to geospatial sciences

RMIT University – School of Engineering TAFE

surveying staff

• Coordinator of Surveying Courses in Building, Civil, Surveying and Spatial

• Thierry Demathieu LS

• Staff to support programs

–Peter Dunbabin DipBuild

–Stephen Falzon LS

–William Ntuwah MSurvSc

–Trent Rhodes BApSc (Geomatics) Hons 1

–Mihir Soneji Beng

–Plus two more building technology teachers

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Surveying and Spatial Information ServicesMajor study areas

• CAD Drafting using AutoCAD

• Land Surveying computations usingExcel and HP scientific calculators

• Mapping using ArcGIS

• Global Positioning Systems (GPS)

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

• Data management using Liscad SEE

• Weekly field experience at Yarra Bend Park

• Cadastral and Engineering Surveying

• Building and property set out

Benefits to RMIT students

• 12 months educational license of Liscad v10 for home study

• 36 months educational license of AutoCAD and Autodesk Civil3D for home study

• 12 months educational license of ArcGIS for home study

RMIT University – Higher Education and TAFE facilities

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In the field

Yarra Bend Park

field station

(Pre 2004 - Studley Park)

In the office

Computer labs

Pathways and Articulation to RMIT University

Higher Education

• The Certificate III part time gives some credit of the Diploma full time.

• Completion of the Diploma of Surveying will give entry to the Advanced Diploma.

• The Bachelor of Applied Science (Surveying) at RMIT University gives credit of up to 1.5 years to Advanced Diploma students with excellent Graded Point Average (GPA). TAFE students generally take three years in Higher Education to complete the Bachelor program.

• The Bachelor Degree will give the opportunity to enter a training agreement to become a Licensed Surveyor and start practicing dealing with land boundaries.

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Looking for an

assistant?

Willing to join in for a

day?

Ring Thierry on

9925 8359

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Higher Education Sector

Outline

RMIT University© Surveying & Academia

Geospatial Science Staff Profile

• One of two disciplines in the School of Mathematical and Geospatial Sciences

– 15 Academic staff/ 1 technical officer

• about 14 research staff

Connected

• William Cartwright Immediate Past President ICA, Chair, Joint Boards of Spatial Societies, UN Panel on Global Spatial Systems

• David Silcock – Surveyors Registration Board Victoria

• Gita Pupedis - Geographic Place Names Committee, Destination Spatial

• Simon Jones, Mark Shortis, Chris Bellman

– ISPRS Congress Committee 2012

• Simon Jones - Co-Chair IGARSS, IEEE International Geoscience and

Remote Sensing Symposium, Melbourne 2013

• Chris Bellman VSC, SSSI Vic Regional Committee, Spatial Education Advisory Committee (SEAC), Surveying Taskforce

• David Mitchell FIG Commission 7, VCAT Planning Panels

• Nick Chrisman – President Global Geospatial Network, organised Global Geospatial Conference 2012, etc.

University Environment

Features and Facilities

• Programs retain a strong emphasis on practical component

• Survey camps in Years 2 & 3

– 2013, 3rd Year camp continues at Rubicon,

–2nd Year Camp will move to Yarra Bend

• Dedicated field station at Yarra Bend Park

–Lease under negotiation with Parks Victoria…

• Multiple computer laboratories

• Variety of software systems available

Equipment grants

• Over the last 4 years

–Trimble CX Laser Scanner

–2 x Trimble VX Robotic Total Stations

–11 Leica Flexline Total Stations

• 2012

–Sokkia Gyro Theodolite (total station)

Accreditation

• Surveyors Registration Board of Victoria

–Reviewed our program in 2011

–Granted accreditation for another 5 years

• Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

–Reviewed our program for the first time in 2011

–Granted accreditation; renewed 2012

–Annual review cycle

• Connected and Global

Key Research Areas

• GNSS/GPS

• Remote Sensing for Resource Management

• Applications of GIS

• Close Range Photogrammetry

• Cartography and Geovisualisation

• Climate change impact and adaptation

• Community response and resilience to disasters

• Land Administration

• Two research centres in the Discipline:

– Satellite Positioning for Atmosphere, Climate & Environment (SPACE) Research Centre

– Professor Kefei Zhang

– Centre for Remote Sensing and GIS

– Professor Simon Jones

GNSS/GPS Research

22-Nov-2010 Kefei Zhang (RMIT University) 22

SPACE Research Centre(satellite positioning, navigation and tracking)

• GPS atmospheric modeling for

– precise positioning

– space weather studies

– Weather forecasting, climate change/monitoring, climatic hazards

– Environment both space and earth

• Smart mobility & object tracking�Miniaturised, high precision, GPS monitoring

systems�Breakthrough in sport coaching & training �Indoor positioning/tracking�Robotic control in difficult environments�Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

• Space and debris tracking �POD, in-space service, �debris surveillance & collision warning�SLR, SKA, VLBI

SKA

GNSS/surveying/geodesy

theory and algorithms

22-Nov-2010 Kefei Zhang (RMIT University) 23

From http://geodaf.mt.asi.it

The research investigates space-borne and ground-based radio occultation techniques,

atmospheric sounding technologies and their fusion.

This research is dedicated to developing superior national capabilities in anticipating,

analysing and investigating critical meteorological threats to Australia.

Positive impacts for weather broadcasting model (NWP) and climate monitoring have

been demonstrated

From: http://www. gfz-potsdam.de

Satellite-Based RO for Atmospheric Sounding in the Australian Region

Remote Sensing Research

Components measured within a forest NVC assessment

tree canopy cover / health

patch size & connectivity

(neighbourhood & core area)

large old trees and canopy health

understorey life forms diversity

and cover recruitment of woody species

Logs / CWD

organic litterlack of weeds

Remote Sensing for Natural Resource Management

Habitat surveys

Native vegetation condition assessment

Ground based hyperspectral validation790 nm (NIR)

670 nm (red)

Crop stress / climate change assessment

Continuous waveform LiDAR &

IR-imager

Calibration

Thermal

Forest Structure assessments…

LIDAR

Sensor network

Laser Scanning/Heritage Documentation Research

Laser Scanning –United Arab Emirates

• David Silcock,

• Colin Arrowsmith,

• Lucas Holden

• + students

Student Recruitment

Student Enrolment (2013)

• Undergraduate

–Surveying 208 students

–Geospatial Science 63 students

• Postgraduate (coursework)

–Graduate diploma 10 students

–Masters 23 students

• Research (HDR)

–Masters 7 students

–PhD 26 students

• We also deliver service teaching to other Schools in the fields of Surveying,

GIS, Remote Sensing, Geography and Environmental Sustainability

Commencing Students

RMIT University©

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Surveying 24 26 28 42 36 48.5 69

Geospatial Science

18 16 27 23 21 20.5 38

Carto 11 16 12

Total 53 58 67 65 57 69 107

Surveying and Academia

• These figures measure student load (our funding base)

• 2013 includes 20 articulating from TAFE into Year 2

• Most first year classes in 2013 have over 80 students

RMIT University

Complicating factor Not enough Rachel’s

• 9 female students (2 surveying) in a first year class of 80 (up from last year)

• School visits appear to work, but at a long delay

• Targeted scholarships were a solution back in the 90s

• We need other means …

RMIT University

Complicating Factor 2?Generational change

Demographers say:

• Gen Y

– Socially connected/influenced by friends

– Like things to be fun!

– Not “try-hards”

– Want life enhancing experiences

RMIT University

Complicating Factor 3?Generational change

Demographers say:

• Gen Z

– The first true A.D. generation

–The “click” generation

– Perpetually connected

– “Acquired attention deficit disorder”

Influencing Factors

Major influences on student choice

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1995 1996 2000 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Careers Teachers

Relatives/friends

Members of Profession

VTAC Guide

RMIT sources

RMIT University

Surveying Taskforce

• From 1st year questionnaire (2012):

– 53% had seen “a life without limits” website

– 25% had watched the DVD

– 10% had seen the Taskforce at career events

– 50% of commencing students in Surveying had done work experience in the industry

Summary

• RMIT has a strong base for producing technicians and professionals for the future

• Student numbers solid (but small by university standards)

• “Surveying” now a very strong brand (Taskforce?)

• Trending upwards on many measures (including student satisfaction)

• Support from industry is really appreciated and crucial to the success of our programs

• Always opportunities for greater engagement with industry, particularly in research and project activity

RMIT University© Surveying & Academia

And that’s Surveying @ RMIT

Thank you!

nicholas.chrisman@rmit.edu.au