TECTERRA honoured for contributions toward student support and experiential learning at Schulich School of Engineering

It’s being hailed as a transformative partnership that has helped numerous University of Calgary geomatics engineering students over the years.

From scholarships and bursaries to real-world insights and work-integrated learning opportunities, the Schulich School of Engineering is thankful for the opportunities provided by TECTERRA.

Interim Dean Anders Nygren says the students, faculty and staff in the Department of Geomatics Engineering are the key beneficiaries of $1.5 million in funding for programs and supports.

“We selected initiatives carefully to align with TECTERRA’s aspirations to develop highly qualified individuals in the field of geomatics and geospatial technology,” he says. “They want to help grow the geomatics industry through entrepreneurship and commercialization of innovative technologies and connect the new geomatics workforce with the existing industry to accelerate job creation.”

The Schulich School recently invited TECTERRA officials to a special recognition lunch to honour their contributions and generosity by the naming of a new boardroom in the Department of Geomatics Engineering.

TECTERRA is a Canadian organization that supports the growth of the geospatial technology sector, providing funding, resources, and networking opportunities to innovative companies in mapping, remote sensing, and location-based services.

Taking the program beyond the books

Nygren says the Schulich School truly values how TECTERRA’s generosity has impacted students.

The funding has gone towards making sure geomatics engineering is at the forefront of the hands-on experiential learning movement.

“We have been able to embed tech entrepreneurship content directly into course content,” Nygren says. “We’ve also been able to integrate learner-focused delivery in lectures, labs and tutorials to an extent that we wouldn’t have been able to without this support.”

Department head Dr. Emmanuel Stefanakis, PhD, says the school has also started offering startup and innovation student awards, which allow students to complete summer work terms with geomatics startup companies or to work on industry-related problems while at UCalgary.

“Students are exposed to what the companies are doing and they get to know about the different geomatics engineering projects,” he says. “This is a great opportunity for us to create new initiatives and help our graduates excel in their careers.”

Engineering an impact on geomatics

The TECTERRA Geomatics Bursary was created in 2022 to support third- and fourth-year students in geomatics engineering.

A year later, the TECTERRA Geomatics Scholarships were launched to help incoming students during their first year of studies.

Valued at $10,000 each, the awards have been pivotal for students as they continue their respective engineering journeys.

“The program’s strong emphasis on student involvement, supported by initiatives from the Geomatics Engineering Students’ Society and our dedicated professors, has allowed me to engage in networking events, career fairs, and research projects,” says scholarship recipient Alieen Mulaw. “These experiences have now only broadened my knowledge, but also connected me with industry professionals and peers, which has been invaluable in shaping my career path.”

It’s a point of pride for TECTERRA board chair Monty Carter, BA’79, who says it’s inspiring to see what undergraduate and graduate students are able to accomplish.

“There’s a lot of really great work being done and we’re thrilled to be a part of that,” he says. “Our intention is to continue to provide funds and continue to invest in young and brilliant minds that are doing this very innovative work.”

Carter says the new boardroom, which is located in E-block of the Engineering Complex, stands as a testament to TECTERRA’s enduring legacy and the lasting impact they aim to make in the geomatics industry.