Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have emerged as invaluable technologies for ecosystem analysis, evaluation and monitoring. Remote sensing which involves the use of satellite imagery continues to be an integral part of projects dealing with mineral and petroleum exploration, pollution detection, weather prediction, commercial fishing, rangeland monitoring, crop forecasting, urban development and management studies and many more. The spectrum of remote sensing technology, however, is broad and invariably requires careful tailoring of response to the problem. A major challenge to users of remote sensing is how to match the appropriate technology to the problem at hand. GIS entails database analysis, description, explanation, pattern prediction and processes at geographic scales. The need to establish a Remote Sensing Centre within the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) was recognized more than one and half decades ago when on the 25 December 1988 H.E. the Vice-Chancellor issued Administrative Order No.741 which established a Remote Sensing Committee in the University and defined its duties and responsibilities. A Director for the Center was appointed in August 2002. The 7th World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Center of Excellence (CoE), Muscat, was inaugurated at SQU in February 2006. The Center is coordinated by PACA and the SQU Remote Sensing and GIS Research Center. The RSGISRC at Sultan Qaboos University supports teaching and research activities within the university, and also acts as a national resource, providing strategic service, consultancy and training, and promoting international collaboration in the field. The center provides the needed expertise in the development of diverse image processing and computer vision techniques, satellite remote sensing and GIS for mapping analysis and development.

Vision Become a center of excellence in Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) in the sultanate, the region, and across the Globe and develop partnership with industry and government Mission Provide interdisciplinary leadership in remote sensing and GIS through formal teaching, instructions, outreach programs, mutual research, and consulting. RSGIS Center aims to enhance the utilization of spaced-based technologies and solutions for natural applications as well as for disaster management and emergency response in the Sultanate and the region. Supervise the coordination of activities and research projects related to Remote sensing (RS), Aerial Photography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) within the SQU and between the University, ministries, industry, and institutions in/outside the Sultanate. Organize training courses, workshops, lectures, and conferences related to Remote Sensing and GIS at national and international levels.

1- Develop and teach undergraduate and postgraduate remote sensing and GIS courses.

2- Enhance the awareness and improve the use of geospatial information systems within the University, Ministries, and private industry.

3- Promote interdisciplinary research and projects using remote sensing and GIS. Seek and execute remote sensing and GIS projects from national and international funding agencies.

4- Organize thematic short courses in remote sensing and GIS for the Ministries and private organizations.

5- Organize seminars, symposia, workshops, and conferences on remote sensing and GIS.

6- Facilitate interaction between Ministries and private companies and eventually form national user and interest groups in remote sensing and GIS.

The Remote Sensing and GIS Center is equipped with a state-of-the-art remote sensing and GIS facilities.

1- Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Drone)

2- ENVI, ERDAS IMAGINE and PCI Geomatica, for image processing terrain analysis, radar analysis, digital photogrammetry, data visualization and image analysis.

3- ARC/INFO and ArcGIS, for GIS analysis.

4- Other complimentary equipment includes a digitizer, color scanners and color printers. 

5- Analytical Spectral Device Inc. (ASD) FieldSpec Pro spectroradiometer (3-2.5 µm) for spectral analyses in remote sensing, minerals and soils, vegetation, marine and water, and more.

6- Two Global Positioning Systems GPS, TRIMBLE.

7-GIS Data: Oman topographic maps, roads network, drainage system, other environmental maps.

8- Satellite imagery: WorldView, Sentinel, Radar, Landsat TM, SPOT, ASTER, IRS, IKONOS, QuickBird, etc.

9- One server, two workstations, and 40 Pentium 4s for teaching, short courses, training and research.

The Center has several strong research links with several local and international organizations:

1- IEEE - Geoscience & Remote Sensing International Society

2- Center for Environmental Studies, SQU, Oman

3- Civil & Architectural Engineering Department, SQU, Oman

4- Center For Remote Sensing, Boston University, USA

5- Canadian Center for Remote Sensing, Canada

6- Directorate General of Civil Aviation & Meteorology, Oman

7- Earthquake Monitoring Center, SQU, Oman

8- Earth Science Department, SQU, Oman

9- Erdas, USA Geography Department, SQU, Oman

10- Petroleum Development Oman Co., Oman

11- PCI Geomatics, Canada Environmental Systems Research Institute ESRI, USA

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in conjunction with the world's producers of operational meteorological satellites have established Centers of Excellence (CoE) worldwide for maximum utilization of satellite data for environmental applications, research and strong and continuous training programs. Operational meteorological research and development environmental satellites provide essential data for meteorology, climatology including global change, hydrology, oceanography, and other applications to World Meteorological Organization (WMO) members worldwide. A wide variety of environmental applications are growing steadily due to the introduction of new satellites equipped with new systems. Several varieties of environmental information are available from the Global Observation System and members are encouraged to strive for full exploitation of the program. In order to accommodate the rapidly increasing sophisticated and diverse users, updated and improved methods must be developed. Maximum utilization of satellite data for environmental applications entails research and a strong and continuous training component. Meeting the demands of this challenge is possible through the combined effort of the WMO and the world's producers of operational meteorological satellites through the Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites (CGMS) in the formation of the Virtual Laboratory for Training in Satellite Meteorology (VL).

The VL is a network system of meteorological satellite operators and 12 Centers of Excellence (CoE) at WMO Regional Meteorological Training Centers in Niamey, Niger; Muscat, Oman; Nairobi, Kenya; Pretoria, South Africa; Moscow, Russia; Beijing, China; Nanjing, China; Melbourne, Australia; Cordoba, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cachoeira, Paulista, Brazil; Bridgetown, Barbados; and San Jose, Costa Rica. The satellite operators are NESDIS (USA), EUMETSAT (Europe), CMA (China), JMA (Japan), CONAE (Argentina) and INPE (Brazil). The 7th World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Center of Excellence (CoE), Muscat, was inaugurated at SQU in February 2006. The Center is coordinated by the Directorate General of Meteorology and Air Navigation (Civil Aviation Affairs) and the SQU Remote Sensing and GIS Center. The CoE’s activities are well supported by European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT). Some 150 weather forecasters and environmental scientists from the Arab and southwest Asian countries have been trained since the establishment of the CoE in Oman. Other complimentary equipment includes a digitizer, a color scanner and color printers. Among some of the CoE activities is a yearly two weeks workshop on EUMETSAT Satellite Applications sponsored by EUMETSAT.

Coordinator:  +968-2414-2529