Graduate geography students at Faculty of Geography, Universitas Gadjah Mada, hosted a national seminar themed the Role of Geography in Resource Management in Indonesia in the Technology Era on Saturday (18/11) at Faculty of Geography UGM. Keynote speakers of the seminar include Ir. M. Arief Syafi’i, M.Eng.Sc. (Deputy Head of Geospatial Information of Geospatial Information Agency), Dr. Suprajaka, M.T. (Head of Standardisation of Geospatial Information Agency), Dr. Luthfi Muta’ali, S.Si., M.S.P. (spatial development expert), and Andreas Senjaya (Co-Founder & CEO of iGrow).
Arief Syafi’i explained geospatial information was the object of interest from different sectors. As high as 65% government activities use spatial element as the main identifier while as much as 90% of government activities have spatial element.
“Geospatial information allows the user to know that each object is in one place and each activity or event happens in one place,” said Arief.
Arief explained geospatial element of an information is used as core identifier to integrate information. The implication of the information can produce analysis that is sharper and more comprehensive.
“Implication of all data and information can be integrated to resolve problems more comprehensively, faster and better,” Arief said.
Arief further highlighted the use of geospatial technology. Geospatial technology is a technology that relates to collection of data on location, such as Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), Remote Sensing, and Geography Information System. Geospatial technology has many benefits including to collect and process data faster and accurately.
Meanwhile, Suprajaka highlighted the increase in human resource competence that is based on geographic information system. Suprajaka explained there were many things to be done to enhancing national geography information infrastructure.
“These include regulatory policy, institutional, technology, human resource (acceleration of certification for Geospatial Information profession), and geospatial information standard,” he said.