The National Geospatial Academy, in cooperation with the University of Melbourne, today launched its first specialized training program titled 'Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).'

This is part of a series of advanced training programs implemented in partnership with one of the world's leading universities specialized in geospatial fields.

Showcasing the latest applications and technologies

The program saw the attendance of more than 337 participants representing over 50 government, private and academic entities, along with specialists from several countries, including Iraq, Oman, the UAE and Australia.

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Through its partnership with the University of Melbourne, the Academy aims to develop national capabilities, cultivate specialized competencies, and localize international knowledge and expertise in the fields of global navigation systems and geodesy, in addition to showcasing the latest applications and technologies related to positioning and building reference frames for coordinates, thereby enhancing performance quality in national geospatial projects.

Global Navigation Satellite Systems

The program, presented by international expert and University of Melbourne faculty member Dr. Amir Khodabandeh, covered several scientific topics, including the role of geodesy in building reference frames for coordinates, positioning mechanisms and accuracy levels, and applications of GNSS in smart infrastructure, as well as transportation, surveying, emergency management, and environmental monitoring. It also reviewed the latest global practices and experiences in employing these technologies to support sustainable development and digital transformation. The program represents the first in a series of advanced training programs organized by the National Geospatial Academy in partnership with the University of Melbourne during 2026.

Earth Observation Data

Topics include advanced remote sensing and cloud-based Earth observation data analytics, large-scale reality capture and 3D scene reconstruction using Gaussian Splatting, and GeoAI modeling for predicting urban heat islands and flash floods. It also covers geospatial agents based on large language models (LLMs) and the Model Context Protocol (MCP), in addition to the design, integration and governance of spatial digital twins.

These programs are part of the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information's efforts to regulate, advance and supervise the geospatial sector in the Kingdom, develop national capabilities, and enhance institutional integration, in partnership with specialized universities and institutes locally and internationally.