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This is the first issue of GeoTech Quarterly (GQ), which has
been launched by the GeoTech Group to serve the profession of
geomatics engineering and users dealing with geoinformation. The
main objective of GQ is to address issues related to this
profession from practical points of view supported by a very
solid theoretical background.
I would like to summarize the history of our
long journey. My geomatics mission started at a very early age,
when I entered a vocational high school in surveying and
cadastre, followed by university studies in geodetic sciences.
My graduate studies at Ohio State University and academic life
in the USA, Germany and Turkey have helped me to have a broad
vision in the profession, and take |
advantage of the tremendous advancements in geomatics
engineering. I consider this part of my life as Phase-1.
Phase-2 of my professional life started with my assignment to the United
Nations. During this assignment, I had the opportunity to
combine my theoretical background with the practice of geomatics
engineering. It was an enhancing experience working in such a
reputable international organization and monitoring numerous
significant projects executed by international companies.
During this time, the profession witnessed tremendous advancements, and geoinformation entered everybody’s life.
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I was fortunate to have first-hand information and experience rapid changes and applications. I was able to witness success and failure stories and thus make very rational assessments, especially in projects undertaken in developing countries.
During this time I personally made the following crucial
observations:
- Georeferenced,
accurate, up-to-date and well-structured geodata is the key for
geoinformation projects.
- Another
significant factor in geoinformation projects is qualified,
skilled and experienced staff in geomatics engineering.
- Probably
the most important factor in geoinformation projects is to have
consultancy services from companies qualified and staffed in the
compilation and establishment of all type of geodatabases and
GIS/LIS/PIS applications.
My background, observations, as outlined above, and experiences
led me to
Phase-3
of my life. Co-founders of the Group, and I decided to provide
consultancy services in geomatics engineering covering all major activities of
the profession: geodesy/GPS/CORS, surveying and mapping, remote
sensing/satellite mapping, photogrammetry/orthophoto, cartography, and
Geographic Information Systems (GIS). So, together with a very competent and
skillful staff, we established Geo Tech Consulting (GTC) in 1997 based in
Turkey. GTC of Turkey was followed by the establishment of GTC–Saudi Arabia,
GTC–Libya and American Geomatics Consulting (AGC)—USA. All of these companies
operate under the umbrella of the GeoTech Group. The Group has a partnership in
Bormen-GeoTech Co—Turkey, and close cooperation with Spatial Information
System—Saudi Arabia. Later, navigation/vehicle tracking and planning were also
added to our services. Now, the GeoTech Group is in the unique position in the
Middle East of covering all aspects of geoinformation activities and providing a
comprehensive solution.Presently, we are proud to have over 100 technical
staff specialized in geomatics engineering, 6 of them with Ph.D.
degrees. We are a family, working day and night for the success
of the Group and for leadership in the profession. The Group has
successfully completed numerous projects, such as the
establishment of a nationwide geodatabase for Saudi Telecom; the
establishment of a nationwide Planning Information System (PIS)
for MOMRA; and the establishment of a nationwide CORS and new
Geodetic Network for MOMRA, etc.
In summary, it is possible that the GeoTech Group may not be the best GIS
technology consultant in the Middle East, but we do not know of anyone better.
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keren@ags-group.com
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After completing his Ph.D. study and post-doctoral work in the USA, K.
joined the Middle East Technical University (Ankara) in 1980 and worked there as
a Professor in Geodetic Science until 1985. In 1985 and 1987, he carried out
research in Germany as a Humboldt Fellow. He joined the United Nations as a
Geodetic Expert in 1986 and served until 1994. K. Eren founded Geo Tech
Consulting (GTC) in 1997, offering services in geomatics engineering and
planning. Now, GTC is working under the umbrella of the GeoTech Group with
offices in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the USA and Libya, and K. Eren is the
owner/acting CEO of the Group.
The Group has over 100 technical staff, and has executed numerous projects in
the fields of geomatics engineering, including mapping, data conversion and
integration, image processing, GIS/GPS applications, vehicle tracking and so on.
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