http://www.csulb.edu/colleges/cla/departments/geography/nsf-reu/

Geography and Archaeology undergraduates, as well as others interested in the study of landscapes, may be interested in our summer 2013 field program on geospatial research and mapping (GRAM) that will take place at both California State University Long Beach and at the famous* Kualoa Ranch in the picturesque Ka’a’awa valley on the north shore of O’ahu.

This field research program is a joint effort between faculty in the Department of Geography and Anthropology at CSULB and is focused on the use of cutting edge geospatial techniques (e.g., satellite and aerial imagery, the use of UAVs, geographic information systems, spectral analyses, topography generation, landscape analyses, and near surface remote sensing).   The research being undertaken by GRAM includes the study of prehistoric landscapes as well as contemporary resources and environments.

Our website (http://www.csulb.edu/colleges/cla/departments/geography/nsf-reu/) describes the overall program and include the research of last year’s students, the application form and additional program information. This is the second year of our 3 year project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under their Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program.

This year’s GRAM project will take place June 2 to June 30 and include training in Long Beach and on Oahu. The NSF-REU program provides funding for student to cover travel, housing, tuition costs as well as a small stipend. Applications are competitive and open to undergraduates across the country.

Note that students must be enrolled as undergraduates in order to meet the requirements of the REU program — graduated seniors are not eligible per NSF rules.

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* The site of the field work is famously known as the location of the filming for Lost, Jurassic Park, among other TV shows and films.

The Societal Impacts Committee of the GSDI Association will provide a free training opportunity for up to three candidates from Africa or Latin America to attend the ICLPST (International Center for Land Policy Studies and Training) training Seminar on Geographical Information Systems and Land Management in Taipei. The training seminar will begin on March 20, 2013 and conclude on April 02, 2013.

Chinese Taipei is the sponsor of the training program that entrusts ICLPST to carry out the project. Each candidate must satisfy the following guidelines:

(a) Candidates must be an individual member of the International Geospatial Society (IGS) or must be affiliated with an organization that is a member of the GSDI Association.

(b) Candidates must be proficient in both spoken and written English in order to be able to follow lectures and instructions conducted in English. Nominees with basic computer skills will be considered more suitable for this course.

(c) Candidates must be persons who are presently working as an administrator, planner or project analyst in areas such as land use and management, urban planning, land surveying, spatial data infrastructure, geographic information systems, etc.

(d) Candidates must be under the age of 55 and must be medically certified as fit for study and travel abroad. Please see the referenced Medical Report form for the required physical check-up. Those who are taking medication for chronic diseases have to prepare sufficient medication for the duration of the stay in Chinese Taipei.

All participants should have valid passports and visas (they shall apply for a visa valid for at least a one month stay) for entry into Chinese Taipei. Please note that each participant will receive a round-trip, economy-class air ticket for travel between his/her country’s capital city and Taipei by the most direct route, and will be provided with board and lodging expenses during the training seminar. The participant is fully responsible to pay for any and all other incidental expenses in connection with the travel such as visa fees, airport taxes, en-route hotel accommodations, etc.

To better facilitate discussions among the participants and with the lecturers, we require that every participant prepare a country paper about developments in their home country to be presented in class. The topic should be relevant to the theme of the course (see the curriculum). Each country-based presentation is limited to 20 minutes. A computer and projector will be provided by the Center (ICLPST) for the presentation. However, outside the presentation, participants are expected to bring and use their own laptop computers during the training seminar.

If you are interested in the training seminar, please fill in the application form and medical report form (only after selected) found at http://ngis.moi.gov.tw/lan_en/Content.aspx?MenuID=95&SubjectID=466, and send it to Mr. Jeremy Shen, vice chair of the Societal Impacts Committee of the GSDI Association at jeremyshen0120@hotmail.com or moi0795@moi.gov.tw before January 31, 2013. Every application submitted will be reviewed by GSDI Association’s Societal Impacts Committee and the President of the International Geospatial Society. Selections should occur within 7 to 10 days.