Being Lebanon’s first fully operational academic center devoted to advancing Geographic Information System technologies in Lebanon, the GIS Center at UOB continues to adopt the latest surveying technologies to build more intelligent, comprehensive, and useful maps. The latest venture in this respect is working with GeoSpatialMinds SAL using advanced aerial surveying technologies to build 3D maps of high accuracy.

This advanced technology in aerial surveying is state of the art and will be exclusively available to the GIS Center in order to enhance the extraction of field data hence opening the door towards a constellation of research activities and projects to enhance the services we provide to our students and the local community.

GeoSpatialMinds SAL, chaired by Mr. Abdallah Bsaibes, is a market leader in geospatial technologies with a constellation of partners in various regions of the world. Mr. Bsaibes collaboration with the GIS Center stems from his belief that the advancement of geospatial technologies lies through the tight collaboration between the private sector and academia.

On Tuesday, December 3 2019 GeoSpatialMinds SAL visited the GIS Center at the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Balamand and carried a 3D mapping of the campus and surroundings using the eBee X professional drone with the senseFly S.O.D.A 3 D photogrammetry camera.

UOB President Dr. Elias Warrak, Vice President for Internationalization and Engagement and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Prof. Rami Abboud, GIS Center Director Dr. Amal Iaaly and other senior staff at the faculty were present at the greenfield where they were introduced to the drone technology and witnessed its launch.

Prof. Abboud assured that this is a prelude to future collaboration that will place the GIS Center at the University of Balamand as leading center at the forefront of producing and advancing intelligent 3D GIS maps that will be of great service to local communities and initiatives in Lebanon and the region.