Surveying and Geoinformatics

About Surveying and Geoinformatics Department

The Bachelor of Technology in Surveying and Geoinformatics (B.Tech Surveying and Geoinformatics) programme at the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences (FUTES), Iyin-Ekiti, commenced in the 2025/2026 academic session with six pioneering academic staff members in the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Design and Management.

The programme is designed to train professionals in the acquisition, analysis, management, and application of spatial data for various environmental, engineering, and developmental purposes. Surveying provides the spatial framework for mapping, design, engineering works, planning, resource exploitation, and land administration, while Geoinformatics integrates these processes through modern technologies such as geodesy, photogrammetry, remote sensing, cartography, computer science, and land information systems.

With the evolution of computer and space technologies, the traditional analogue methods of data acquisition and processing have given way to advanced digital techniques, transforming how geospatial data is collected, analyzed, and applied. Consequently, the discipline has expanded beyond traditional surveying to encompass a wider field referred to globally as Geoinformatics or Geomatics, reflecting its modern scientific and technological scope.

The philosophy of the programme is to provide students with both theoretical and practical training to produce competent, innovative, and self-reliant professionals who are well-grounded in modern Surveying and Geoinformatics techniques and entrepreneurial practices. The programme’s objectives are to equip students with a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, computer science, environmental management, law, and finance; to ensure a balanced blend of theoretical and practical competencies; to develop the ability to apply geospatial knowledge in solving environmental and developmental challenges; and to prepare students for advanced studies and specialization in the field.

Graduates of Surveying and Geoinformatics are expected to possess employability skills that enable them to plan, design, and execute geospatial projects, process and integrate data from various sources, and monitor environmental changes effectively. They should be capable of implementing geospatial policies, articulating the role of spatial data in socioeconomic development, communicating across diverse audiences using multiple languages, and managing entrepreneurial ventures in surveying and geospatial services. The curriculum also emphasizes 21st-century skills such as competence in modern hardware and software for geospatial applications, computational and analytical proficiency, data reliability assessment, effective communication, entrepreneurship, and mastery of internet-based tools for geospatial data management and dissemination.

The programme has several unique features that distinguish it from similar offerings elsewhere. It is environmentally focused rather than purely engineering-based, ensuring a holistic understanding of the interactions between spatial data and environmental systems. Both theoretical and practical components of each course are taught concurrently, and students undertake field camps beyond the campus to gain real-world project experience. Additionally, the programme introduces foreign language training to enhance graduates’ global competitiveness and integrates entrepreneurial activities that prepare students for self-employment and innovation in the geospatial industry. Through these features, the Surveying and Geoinformatics programme at FUTES aims to produce globally competitive graduates equipped to contribute effectively to sustainable development and technological advancement in Nigeria and beyond.