[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/ESRI08.jpg” caption=”McMaster is now an ESRI Development Centre for Universities.”]The School of Geography and Earth Sciences has a long history of teaching and research using the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) suite of products. McMaster was one of the first universities in Canada to sign an annual license agreement with the Institute, and was the first Canadian university to collaborate with a college to offer a certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Consequently, McMaster was a perfect fit for the designation of ESRI Development Centre for Universities (EDC).

The inclusion of McMaster as an EDC will further enhance and facilitate the use of GIS in education and research at McMaster. Currently, the School has over 14 undergraduate and graduate courses that make use of GIS as part of training and research. The School predominantly features geographical analysis software as part of its core curriculum.

Researchers within the School have developed an international reputation for developing innovative simulation systems. Several development models such as IMULATE, IMPACT-Hamilton and CLIMATE-C and various GIS and Spatial Analysis analytical extensions were developed based on MapObjects which is part of the ESRI development suite.

As an EDC, the University will have recognition and special status in the education of students in the advanced development of ESRI's GIS technology. Students will design and develop GIS applications using ESRI's ArcGIS desktop or server technology. The School's researchers will advance their expertise through participation in the annual ESRI Developer's summit and will offer student recognition through an annual achievement award.