The University of Sharjah is introducing a new graduate program for the current academic year, which is the Master of Science in Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing program. The program was recently approved by the Ministry of Education, and it is an interdisciplinary academic program that is jointly offered at the University by its colleges of sciences, engineering, and Computing and Informatics, and the Research Institute for Science and Engineering as well as the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology.

His Excellency Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, Chancellor of the University, emphasized that despite the great demand for the specialization of GIS and remote sensing in the country and the GCC countries, there is a scarcity in programs that meet the requirements of the labor market for graduates specializing in these fields. Therefore, the University of Sharjah, he added, is proposing this program, indicating that it will meet the needs of many sectors such as the sector of monitoring and environmental protection, transportation, water, crisis management and natural hazards, the industrial and oil sectors, archaeological exploration, as well as research sites in industrial and government laboratories, urban planning, and the production of maps for uses of land and natural resources.

The University Chancellor explained that sustainable development, land use planning, and environmental monitoring depend to a large extent on the availability and reliability of geospatial data such as digital maps and earth surveys, and the study of natural earth resources by analyzing and distinguishing patterns of satellite images and aerial photos. The program is offered as interdisciplinary with the aim of creating a teaching and research environment centered on geospatial sciences, and providing knowledge and experience on a global level for interdisciplinary academic research by engaging students in planning, management, analysis, design, and problem solving related to current and emerging geospatial issues that directly serve the needs of our societies. This is using interdisciplinary research such as: engineering, computing, environmental and earth sciences, sustainable development, as well as information, data, and management techniques.

The Chancellor added that the program will provide an opportunity for students wishing to complete their graduate studies with bachelor's degrees in the fields of science, civil and environmental engineering, survey and geomatics engineering, geology, geography, planning, and information technology. The program will also help graduate highly skilled cadres capable of entering one of the fastest growing sub-sectors in the fields of: Geosciences, Engineering and Information Technology Industry.