In order to provide a real contribution to national building and organizational management, Faculty of Geography Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) together with National Coordinator for Survey and Mapping Agency (BAKOSURTANAL) and the International Cartographic Association (ICA) held workshop and seminar with two major themes Atlas as Expressions and Carriers of Space-Related Identity and The Strategic Role of Maps in Development. The events took place from 20 to 21 October 2010.
The workshop presented speakers such as Prof. Peter Jordan and Prof. F. Ormeling (ICA), Drs. Suharto Widjojo, M.A. (The Center for Atlas of Bakosurtanal) and Drs. Noorhadi Raharjo, MS, PM (Faculty of Geography UGM). In addition, this event also presented speakers from the Driya Manunggal Foundation, Drs. Setyo Adi Nugroho, M.Pd. who spoke about creating maps for the blind people (tactile map/tactual map).
Meanwhile, the international seminar entitled "The Strategic Role of Maps in Development" invited keynote speaker from the Ministry of Energy and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (EMR) represented by Head of Geological Agency.
Dr. Lutfi Muta'ali, M.T., Vice Dean for Student Affairs and Alumni in Faculty of Geography UGM mentioned that the implementation of these activities is expected that the public can understand more and comprehend the importance of the Atlas as a reference that provides spatial information about the location and condition of the region. Besides, it is also expected that the players in the field of geography know the needs and benefits as well as the development of maps, especially atlas in terms of artistic technique of presentation to be more informative, interesting and easy to use and is easily understood by the public, even for the blind people.
Lutfi mentioned that art and technique of mapping have evolved along with understanding and needs of the community about spatial information. Technical and artistic presentation of spatial information in the form of map or atlas are growing and changing from time to time. The need for map/atlas is no longer limited only in military, research or development planning, but also various aspects of life, ranging from transportation, culture, tourism to community service and others.
"Through this workshop and seminar, participants at least can get an idea of what and to whom map/atlas is needed and how the map should be created from a variety of examples of maps/ atlases which are displayed from various views. Geography teachers can gain insight as teaching materials for their students and the students can also get an overview of research that can be done particularly in the field of cartography," he expected.