The NSW Government has expressed confidence in the spatial science program at Charles Sturt University (CSU) through a $100 000 investment in student scholarships.

The NSW Department of Lands has offered four scholarships to first and second year CSU students studying the Bachelor of Science (Spatial Science).

Spatial science involves the collection, storage, handling and interpretation of map-based data including remote sensing of the earth’s surface through aerial photography or satellite imagery, geographic information systems (GIS) and cartography. 

 “CSU is one of the few universities in Australia educating students in the area of spatial science and addressing the growing demand for professional GIS officers to handle new technology to map everything from roads to crop and soil degradation,” said senior lecturer in soil science and remote spatial science Tony Dare-Edwards.

The students who secure a Departments of Lands scholarship will be paid $8 000 a year for the duration of the course as well as one year’s paid employment with the Department on  completion of their degree.

“The new scholarships represent a significant show of State Government support for the CSU undergraduate program and the quality of the degree as well as a secured position for the first year after graduating,” said Mr Dare-edwards.

The spatial science program is further enhanced by the recent appointment of three new academic staff with a considerable portfolio of industry and spatial teaching experience. They are Dr Remy Dehaan, Kate Sherren and Rodney Rumbachs.

In addition to lecturing in remote sensing, GIS, and spatial information, the trio bring to the University a wealth of research ranging from the remote sensing of the soil and vegetation indicators of salinity, to the evaluation of nitrogen in rice using ground and air borne sensors and the development of programs to assist with complex ecological management problems.