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Professor RMKGSPB Koswatte

Professor

Geomatics

Email : sam@geo.sab.ac.lk

    Qualifications

  • PhD (USQ Australia - Spatial Sciences), MPhil (PDN - Earth Sciences), BSc (SUSL - Surveying Sciences)

    Profile

  • I am a Professor in GIS attached to the department of Remote Sensing and GIS, Faculty of Geomatics. Highly skilled in undergraduate and graduate teaching and conducting research in the field of Geomatics. Over fourteen years of experience both in academic and technical aspects. Expertise in the areas of Geospatial semantics, Crowdsourcing, Spatial Data Infrastructures, Land surveying, Survey computations, GIS, Web and Mobile GIS,  and Automated Surveying Systems. 

    Membership of Professional Bodies/Associations

    • International Geospatial Society (IGS), member since 2013
    • Geo-Informatics Society of Sri Lanka (GISSL), member since 2008
    • Surveyors Board Queensland, Graduate Surveyor, 2014-2018

    Research Interests

  • Crowdsourced (CSD) data quality, Geospatial Data Science and GeoAI, Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI)

    Recent Publications

    • Koswatte, S., McDougall, K., Liu, X. (2022). Crowd-Assisted Flood Disaster Management. In: Singh, V.P., Yadav, S., Yadav, K.K., Corzo Perez, G.A., Muñoz-Arriola, F., Yadava, R.N. (eds) Application of Remote Sensing and GIS in Natural Resources and Built Infrastructure Management. Water Science and Technology Library, vol 105. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-14096-9_3
    • RWDM Kumara and S Koswatte (2021), Risk and Spatial Pattern Analysis of CKDu in Sri Lanka: A Case Study in Monaragala District, ICSUSL 2021, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
    • ITP Jayaratne and S Koswatte (2021), An Automatic Method for Archaeological Site Detection Using Drone Imagery,  ICSUSL 2021, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
    • Kaushalye, N.A.V.O. and Koswatte, S., 2021. Crowdsourced Data Relevance Analysis for Crowd-assisted Flood Disaster Management. Journal of Geospatial Surveying, 1(1), pp.16–22.
    • Gunatilake, S. K., Dissanayake, H. M. K. P.,  Udeshani, W. A. C., Koswatte, S.,  Rathnayake, K. T.,  Gunatilake, S. V. and  Fernando, R. (2020) Quality of surface and ground waters for domestic and irrigation purposes in CKD/CKDu prevalent areas in Moneragala District, Sri Lanka, Ceylon Journal of Science, 49(1), p. 81-91.
    • McDougall, K and Koswatte, S (2018), The future of authoritative geospatial data in the big data world – trends, opportunities and challenges,  Workshop and Annual Meeting on SPATIAL INFORMATION IN THE ERA OF DATA SCIENCE: CHALLENGES AND PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS, FIG Commission 3, 3-6 December, Napoli, Italy.
    • Koswatte, S., McDougall, K. and Liu, X., (2018). Relevance assessment of crowdsourced data (CSD) using semantics and geographic information retrieval (GIR) techniques. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 7(7), p.256.
    • Saman Koswatte, Kevin, McDougall and Xiaoye Liu, 2017, Quality assessment of VGI and CSD using semantics and Geographical Information Retrieval techniques, Workshop and Annual Meeting, Volunteered Geographic Information: Emerging Applications in Public Science and Citizen Participation, 27-30 November 2017, Lisbon, Portugal.
    • Saman Koswatte, Kevin, McDougall and Xiaoye Liu, 2017, VGI and crowdsourced data credibility analysis using spam email detection techniques’, International Journal of Digital Earth, pp 1-13.
    • Saman Koswatte, Kevin, McDougall and Xiaoye Liu, 2016, Semantic Location Extraction from Crowdsourced Data, ISPRS-International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, pp 543-547.
    • Saman Koswatte, Kevin McDougall and Xiaoye Liu (2015) SDI and Crowdsourced Spatial Information Management Automation for Disaster Management, Survey Review, Volume 47, Issue 344 (September 2015), pp. 307-315
    • Saman Koswatte, Kevin McDougall and Xiaoye Liu (2014) SDI and Crowdsourced Spatial Information Management Automation for Disaster Management, FIG Commission 3 Workshop – 2014 November, Bologna, Italy
    • Saman Koswatte, Kevin McDougall and Xiaoye Liu (2014) Ontology driven VGI filtering to empower next generation SDIs for disaster management, Research at Locate 14 Conference – 2014 April, Canberra, Australia
    • Saman Koswatte, Jagath Gunatilake and Gamini Wijayaratne (2012) Geo Information Powered Sri Lanka: Today’s GI Challenges for better Future, International Symposium 2012 – Technology International Research Symposium (TIRS), Pioneer Institute of Business and Technology (PIBT) – Sri Lanka and School of Computing and Mathematics (CMC) University of Greenwich - United Kingdom

    Consultancies

    •  GIS Consultant - “InforBoomi: VGIS-based Informed Decision Making for Strengthened Local Land Governance”, AHEAD Research, Innovation and Commercialization Grants (RIC Grants) funded by World Bank, University Grant Commission – Sri Lanka, Ministry of City Planning, Water Supply and Higher Education
    • GIS Developer - "Dry Season Irrigation for Marginal and Tennent Farmers", ACIAR Project, National Centre for Engineering Agriculture (NCEA) - University of Southern Queensland, Australia

    Undergraduate Supervision

  • Ongoing Research

    • GIS and Machine Learning-based expressway accident modelling
    • Rooftop Agriculture in Urban setting: A GIS-based approach
    • Flood Travel Time Analysis Using Machine Learning Techniques
    • Spatiotemporal Groundwater Status Modelling using Deep Learning Techniques
    • A Comparative Analysis Of Deep Learning Techniques Used For Landslide Forecasting
    • Accuracy assessment of SLCORS and GAGAN SBAS services
    • Integrated water vapor (IWV) modelling using GNSS

    Completed research

    2021

    • Urban Traffic Modelling using Deep Learning: A case study at Jaffna city
    • GIS and RS based Deforestation mapping
    • Automated object detection of Drone Imagery using deep learning techniques for Archeological site detection
    • Urban noise modelling using 3D GIS: A case study at Ratnapura city
    • Safe Corridor identification for Drone-based package Delivery

    2019

    • Crowdsourced Data Quality Assessment Using Natural Language based Relevance Assessment   
    • Accuracy analysis between Handheld GPS and Assisted GPS (A-GPS) enabled Mobile Phones
    • Rainfall trends and Landslide vulnerability: A case study at Badulla District
    • GIS-assisted Flood Mapping in Galle District, Sri Lanka  

    2018

    • Crowdsourced Flood Inundation Mapping and Damage Assessment

    Postgraduate Supervision

  • Ongoing MSc Research projects

    • Real-time flood forecasting: A case study at Ratnapura City
    • GIS-based Municipal Solid Waste Management in Ratnapura City
    • Real-time Flood prediction through Dynamic water yield estimation: A Case study at Ratnapura District, Sri Lanka

    Completed MSc Research projects

    2019

    • Risk and Spatial Pattern Analysis of CKDu in Sri Lanka: A Case Study in Anuradhapura District
    • Land value assessment of Urban Nature Reserves in Sri Lanka

     

    Participation in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programmes/Extension Courses/Short Courses/Visiting Lectures

  • Visiting Lectures

    • August 2020 – December 2020: Visiting Lecturer, BSc in Tourism Management, Faculty of Management Studies, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
    • December 2017 – April 2018: Visiting Lecturer, MSc Surveying Sciences Programme 2017 Intake, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
    • December 2017 – April 2018: Visiting Lecturer, Department of Natural Resources, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
    • January 2012 – December 2012: Visiting Lecturer, Department of Natural Resources, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Conducting lectures on Basic Principles of Land Surveying course to the Undergraduate students.
    • January 2012 – December 2012: Visiting Lecturer, Department of Computing and Information Systems, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Conducting lectures on Introduction to Geographic Information Systems course to the Undergraduate students
    • November 2011-February 2012: Visiting Lecturer, External Degree Programmes and Extension Services Unit (EDPESU), Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Conducting lectures on Auto CAD for the Certificate Course for IT Professionals
    • July 2011 – May 2013: Visiting Lecturer, Department of Transport and Logistics Management, Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, Conducting lectures on GIS/GPS/RS& Geomatics Applications in Transport & Logistics course to Undergraduates
    • January 2009– May 2009: Visiting Lecturer, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, Conducting lectures and laboratory sessions on Fundamentals of GIS and Remote Sensing for Level 4 - Undergraduate students
    • January 2009 – April 2009: Visiting Lecturer, Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, Conducting lectures and laboratory sessions on Fundamentals of GIS and Remote Sensing for Level 3 - Undergraduate students
    • January 2008 – September 2009: Visiting Demonstrator, Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, Assisting postgraduate students in the laboratory sessions of MSc. Program in GIS and Remote Sensing under the board of study in Earth Sciences
    • November 2007 – July 2009: Visiting Demonstrator, Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, Assisting postgraduate students in the laboratory sessions of MSc. Program in Disaster Management under the board of study in Earth Sciences
    • January 2007 - April 2008: Visiting Lecturer, External Degree Programmes and Extension Services Unit (EDPESU), Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Conducting lectures on Auto CAD for the Certificate Course for IT Professionals

    Short Courses

    • March 2009 – October 2009: Resource Person, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Advanced Short Courses on GIS and Applications, Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
    • January 2009 – December 2009: Resource Person, 14th to 24th Short Courses on GIS and Applications, Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

    Editor-in-Chief of Journals/Editorial Board Member/Program Chair/Reviewer

  • Reviewer

    • IJGI: ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, MDPI
    • JEMA: Journal of Environmental Management, Elsevier

    Scientific and Literary Communications

    • Pre-conference workshop on "Spatial Data Analysis Using Opensource Tools" at Sixth International Conference on Information Technology Research (ICITR 2021) organized by the Faculty of Information Technology Research Unit (ITRU), University of Moratuwa, 01.12.2021
    • Invited lecture, Web GIS and Web Mapping, Pre-Conference Workshop, 10th International Research Conference, General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University, Sri Lanka, 2nd August 2017
    • Invited lecture, Introduction to Technology for Mapping, Annual Filed Visit, IT Officers, Sri Lanka Navy, 22nd September 2012, Sabaragamuwa University, Sri Lanka
    • Invited talk, Mobile GIS Applications, GIS/ Remote sensing and GPS workshop for Engineers of Telecom Sri Lanka, 14th March 2012, Colombo, Sri Lanka
    • Invited lecture Remote Sensing Applications on Hydrographic Surveying, Workshop on Basic Hydrographic Surveying, 19th September to 11th October 2011, NARA, Colombo, Sri Lanka
    • Invited lecture, Introduction to Remote Sensing and GIS, Annual Filed Visit, IT Officers, Sri Lanka Navy,13th August, 2011, Sabaragamuwa University, Sri Lanka

    Positions Held/Hold or service Rendering/Rendering (University Level/National Level/International Level)

  • Current

    International

    • Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Health Engineering and Science, University of Southern Queensland, Australia

    National/University Level

    • Member, University Senate, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
    • Coordinator, Curriculum Development and Revision, Faculty of Geomatics, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
    • Member, Strategic Management and Planning, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
    • Member, Strategic Management and Planning, Center for Quality Assurance, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

    Past

    International

    • 2014 - 2017: Member, Industry Advisory Committee, School of Civil Engineering and Surveying, Faculty of Health Engineering and Science, University of Southern Queensland, Australia
    • 2015, 2016: Treasurer, Sri Lankan Cultural Club, University of Southern Queensland, Australia
    • 2014: President, Sri Lankan Cultural Club, University of Southern Queensland, Australia

    National/University Level

    • 2019 - 2022: Head, Department of Remote Sensing and GIS, Faculty of Geomatics, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
    • 2020 - 2021: Member, University Council, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
    • 2012 – 2013: Coordinator, Industrial Training Unit (ITU) – Faculty of Geomatics, Sabaragamuawa University of Sri Lanka
    • 2011 – 2012: Member, Extension and Public Awareness Unit, Centre for Research and Knowledge Dissemination (CRKD), Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
    • 2011 – 2012: Faculty Coordinator, Deyata Kirula National Development Exhibition-Sri Lanka, Faculty of Geomatics, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
    • 2011 – 2012: Faculty Coordinator, Newsletter development committee, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
    • 2011 – 2012: Student Counselor, Sabaragamuawa University of Sri Lanka
    • 2006 – 2007: Student Counselor, Sabaragamuawa University of Sri Lanka