Strategic Industry Partnership With Leica Geosystems Will Boost OSU Surveying Initiative
25 March 2009
(Norcross, GA March 20, 2009). – The School of Civil and Construction Engineering at Oregon State University (OSU) is forming a partnership with Leica Geosystems to help address the need for more geospatial surveying professionals and embrace the trend towards “Geomatics,” as this age-old profession evolves in an era of sophisticated 3-D data flow, remote sensing, and other new technologies. OSU has signed a memorandum of understanding with David Evans and Associates (DEA), Inc., and Leica Geosystems, Inc.
Through this three-way partnership, Leica Geosystems will make available state-of-the-art geomatic equipment and software for use by OSU students on an ongoing basis. Industry experts from David Evans and Associates will work closely with OSU students and faculty in training and laboratory studies. Increased geomatics research efforts, course expansion, and new faculty are also anticipated as a result of this industry and education initiative.
The latest technology from Leica Geosystems to capture geospatial data, such as 3-D laser scanners, is now routinely used to allow a geomatic surveyor to accomplish as much in a day as used to be done in several weeks. Much of this is done in an office as well as the field using advanced design and processing software, 3-D mapping, and geographic information systems. This makes surveying more cost efficient, accurate and with fewer time delays.
“Understanding land surveying and data capture has been, and will always be, an integral part of being a civil engineer or construction manager,” said Scott Ashford, professor and head of the School of Civil and Construction Engineering, a major educational program at OSU with about 1,000 students.
“We believe that industry and manufacturers should share in the social responsibility to help educational institutions stay on top of new technologies, changing work flow methodology, and new techniques in capturing 3-D geospatial data,” said Ken Mooyman, President of Leica Geosystems, Inc. “We recently endorsed this unique concept at the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping, and are proud to be part of this strategic partnership.”
“I agree with Ken, this is part of our social responsibility to the industry. It takes significant planning, time, and ongoing commitment from all parties to make it successful. DEA is a leader in the Civil Engineering industry and we need to help set the education bar at higher levels to continue hiring graduates that understand the latest in Geomatic Sciences,” says Jim Griffis, Senior Vice President of David Evans and Associates, Inc.
About the OSU College of Engineering
The OSU College of Engineering is among the nation¹s largest and most productive engineering programs. In the past six years, the College has more than doubled its research expenditures to $27.5 million by emphasizing highly collaborative research that solves global problems, spins out new companies, and produces opportunity for students through hands-on learning.
About David Evans and Associates
Since its founding in 1976 in Portland, Ore., DEA has become a recognized leader for progressive and sustainable design and management solutions for complex transportation, land development, energy, and water resources projects nationwide. The firm has more than 20 offices in seven states and employs more than 900 people firm wide. Its staff includes professional engineers, surveyors, planners, landscape architects, and natural resources scientists.
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Leica Geosystems – when it has to be right
With close to 200 years of pioneering solutions to measure the world, Leica Geosystems products and services are trusted by professionals worldwide to help them capture, analyze, and present spatial information. Leica Geosystems is best known for its broad array of products that capture accurately, model quickly, analyze easily, and visualize and present spatial information.
Those who use Leica Geosystems products every day trust them for their dependability, the value they deliver, and the superior customer support. Based in Heerbrugg, Switzerland, Leica Geosystems is a global company with tens of thousands of customers supported by more than 3’500 employees in 28 countries and hundreds of partners located in more than 120 countries around the world. Leica Geosystems is part of the Hexagon Group, Sweden.
For additional info please contact:
Robby Dudley
Leica Geosystems, Inc.
Norcross, Georgia, USA
Office Phone: 0117703269550
Robby.Dudley@leica-geosystems.com
www.leica-geosystems.us
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