Euro-Arab Geomatics opens office in Beirut

Surveying faculty soon at LCU

An office for the newly formed Euro-Arab Union of Geomatics (UEAG) has opened in Beirut. The UEAG, established in 2012, includes more than 14 countries in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East so far. Geomatics is the science of collecting and processing geographic data. It includes the tools and techniques used in land surveying, remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), global navigation satellite systems (GPS), and other related forms of earth mapping.

Sarkis Fadous, Head of the Arab Union of Geomatics (AUOG), and Head of the Order of Surveyors in Lebanon (OGTL), said: “Beirut was chosen as the office headquarters because this location allows the UEAG to be the link between countries.”

The office will be collecting geographic and land mapping statistics and data. Fadous said: “Establishing the office in Beirut would help attract more professionals to the country to exchange data and experience, which would further encourage foreign investments and scientific evolution in the local market.”

The AUOG, also based in Beirut, signed a cooperation protocol with the UEAG in May. The protocol states the need for technical and scientific cooperation between academics and professionals in the Arab world, and the exchange of expertise between the two unions. The protocol also states the need to combine efforts in order to develop the survey and geomatics professions in the Arab world.

Fadous said the Order of Surveyors is planning to launch a surveying faculty: “We have applied for a license to establish a surveying faculty at the Lebanese Canadian University (LCU) and will receive the approval soon.”