TECTERRA's Legacy Program for Academic Institutions

The Department of Geomatics Engineering in the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary is both honoured and grateful to be a part of TECTERRA's new academic program, set to commence in Fall 2023 (see the announcement). This initiative aims to further advance the development of the geomatics sector in both Alberta and Canada.

Thanks to the substantial donation from TECTERRA, the Department of Geomatics Engineering, in collaboration with the Schulich School of Engineering and with backing from industry partners, is set to embark on a five-year strategy. This plan will initiate four key projects aimed at enriching our programs, equipping the upcoming wave of Geomatics Changemakers, and propelling the Geomatics sector forward in Calgary, Alberta, and beyond.

• Project 1: Embedding Tech Entrepreneurship into Geomatics Engineering Curriculum
• Project 2: Enhancing Active Learning
• Project 3: Preparing Graduates for the Workforce and Attracting Students 
• Project 4: Expanding Pathways to Geomatics Engineering

More details about these projects are provided in the next paragraphs:

Project 1: Embedding Tech Entrepreneurship into Geomatics Engineering

The Schulich School of Engineering has recently developed a Certificate in Engineering Entrepreneurship. Tier 1 of the certificate program is currently embedded into all undergraduate engineering students first year curriculum and deals with innovation and core concepts of Engineering Entrepreneurship. The remainder of the certificate program is currently available as an extracurricular option to engineering students.  With TECTERRA's support, an Entrepreneurship Tech Specialist will soon join our team and the department of Geomatics Engineering will be the first in the School to integrate Tiers 2 and 3 of the certificate program into the major curriculum.

Project 2: Enhancing Active Learning

Teaching and learning at the Schulich School of Engineering has recently adapted to modern pedagogical approaches, shifting from lecture-based learning to what is commonly referred to as Active Learning.  With TECTERRA's funding, an Active Learning Technician will join our department soon to support the development, maintenance, and delivery of Active Learning material, which will allow for integration of lectures, labs, and tutorials,  and focus more on project-based learning.

Project 3: Preparing Graduates for the Workforce and Attracting Students

At the Schulich School of Engineering, we want all our students to graduate with work experience. To position Geomatics Engineering at the forefront of Work-Integrated-Learning (WIL), with TECTERRA's funding we will be able to offer 15 Startup and Innovation Summer Student Awards annually to allow Geomatics Engineering students to complete summer work-terms with Geomatics start-up companies or to work on applied industry related problems under the supervision of faculty members in the Department of Geomatics Engineering.

Project 4: Expanding Pathways to Geomatics Engineering

The Department of Geomatics has recently launched a pathway program to allow students from polytechnic schools, such as SAIT and NAIT to smoothly transition to the Bachelor of Sciences Major (BSc) in Geomatics Engineering. With TECTERRA's support the department will be able to develop blended learning material (and offer entrance scholarships) to allow incoming students to complete necessary pre-requisites for a smooth transition into the Geomatics Engineering program, from polytechnic schools and Universities across Canada.

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TECTERRA is a non-profit focused on community-level initiatives which grow geospatial thinking, develop skills, and lead to the creation of innovative technology.