Extensive promotions starting from the grassroots level are needed to attract youths to venture into the geomatics field, which is part of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme.

Association of Authorised Land Surveyors of Malaysia (PEJUTA) deputy president Ezam Ariffin said this is due to a low awareness and understanding of the field despite it being a value-added profession that contributes to the nation’s development.

“Land surveying is viewed as not lucrative or unglamorous. So we must promote it extensively starting from the school level to cultivate an early interest in the field.

“Geomatics is not just limited to measuring borders, property boundaries, and engineering only. It is a far wider discipline that covers remote sensing, cartography, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), geodesic, utility mapping, photogrammetry and hydrography,” he said.

He was speaking at a press conference after launching the 2023 Geomatics Open Day and exhibition at Politeknik Ungku Omar (PUO) here today, which involved the participation of over 300 PUO and school students.

He said the role of geomatics cuts across multiple disciplines and is a very challenging field with great career potential.

“This field has great potential in terms of job opportunities and any individual who masters it can go far and succeed in their career

Meanwhile, PUO director Dr Shamsuri Abdullah said the Open Day, being held for the first time, provided the students an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of geomatics, particularly in the aspects of surveying, analysis, management, and spatial data display of the earth and built environment.

“This programme is a good initiative for the PUO alumni, who are in the field, to share their knowledge and experience with the participants from the polytechnic and schools,” he said.

He said 15 exhibitors from government departments and agencies, the private sector, and individuals also took part in the event.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency