Educational and Scientific Issues in Cartography and Geomatics Take Center Stage During Associate Professor Vyacheslav Bogdanets' Internship at the Polytechnic University of Toulouse

During his stay at the Higher School of Agricultural Sciences of the Polytechnic University of Toulouse (ENSAT-INP), he participated in a master's-level class alongside Professor of Geomatics David CHÉREN. Vyacheslav BOGDANETS began by introducing the distinctive features of Ukraine’s national education system and the training offered at the Faculty of Land Management of NUBiP. He presented the academic disciplines and practical training included in the curriculum and discussed the use of QGIS software, which is widely used by students at the Faculty of Land Management. Interestingly, this software is also familiar to local master's students specializing in Geomatics.

Associate Professor BOGDANETS showcased various tasks completed by students of the Department of Geodesy and Cartography as part of their studies. He also had the opportunity to meet and converse with NUBiP students currently studying at ENSAT-INP under the academic exchange program. One of the highlights was a presentation by local master's students of their research projects, conducted under the supervision of Professor Benoît Van Der REST.

Access to the cartographic archive in the university library proved to be an invaluable experience for a visiting Ukrainian cartographer. The collection is well-organized and includes physical-geographical, climatic, geological, hydrological, soil, and specialized agricultural maps of the entire country at various scales. The archive features both historical documents and contemporary research, including scientific monographs on agricultural land administration. It also illustrates strong ties with industry and showcases large-scale projects funded by national and European grant programs.

 

As part of the program, Professor Benoît Van Der REST, responsible for international activities, delivered a seminar for Erasmus+ interns from different countries, focusing on the structure of the French education system and the core areas of ENSAT-INP. In addition, Professor Bertrand POURROUX presented his research on assessing environmental risks related to natural disasters and emergencies.

 

A crucial component of academic institutions is their involvement in research and participation in grant-funded projects. This topic was thoroughly discussed during meetings with Professor David CHÉREN, who coordinates multiple collaborative initiatives with colleagues from the Polytechnic University of Toulouse and other French institutions. He brings extensive international experience to these efforts.

 

There are many commonalities between the activities of Ukrainian and French researchers. Their approaches to the use of cartography, geomatics, and remote sensing in the study of natural resources are remarkably aligned. This shared vision provides a strong foundation for the continued development of educational and scientific collaboration.