Faculty History
History
The Faculty of Geomatics is one of the eight faculties of the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka and was established in 2004. It is the successor of the Department of Surveying Sciences, which introduced the BSc (Surveying Sciences) Degree Programme in 1997. This marked the first time in the history of the university system in Sri Lanka that such a degree programme was introduced, fulfilling a much-felt need of the country. The Degree Programme is a four-year course leading to a special degree. The first batch of students was admitted to the degree programme in 1997 and graduated in 2002.
The Faculty, along with its predecessor, the Department of Surveying Sciences, boasts a history of over 15 years, with approximately 900 students graduating since 2002.
Present Situation
Currently, the faculty consists of two departments:
The two departments jointly conduct the first five semesters of the degree programme as a foundation course, and within the next three semesters, they offer five areas of specialization:
- Surveying and Geodesy
- Land Management
- Hydrographic Surveying
- Remote Sensing
- Geographic Information Systems
The Degree Programs
The four-year degree programme covers principles of Surveying Sciences, Geodesy, Adjustment Theory, Cartography, Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing, GIS, Cadastre, Hydrographic Surveying as well as Mathematics, Physics, Computer Applications, Economics, Management, Environmental Science, and more. The course is designed with a strong emphasis on enhancing English proficiency.
The Objectives
The objective of the programme is to produce graduates with academic qualifications and technical expertise to practice Earth and Space measurement sciences. The degree includes an industrial training component to enhance practical skills for assembling and assessing land and geographic-related information. This information is used for planning and implementation, ensuring efficient management of land, sea, and structures.
The courses are designed not only to produce qualified professional surveyors for the public and private sectors but also to provide personnel capable of handling all land-related aspects, including Land Development, Land Settlement, Land Reclamation, Irrigation, Hydrography, Urban Planning, Forestry, Environment, and Cadastre establishment. Emphasis is placed on practical work using modern equipment, computers, and the latest software, integrating the most advanced technologies in the field of Surveying Sciences.
Job Opportunities
Graduates of Surveying Sciences are in high demand, with job opportunities in the government sector, private sector, and abroad. The faculty proudly reports an almost 100% employment rate among its past graduates.
Since 2017, the Faculty of Geomatics has also offered the Master of Science in Surveying Sciences, which is recognized at SQLF Exit Level 10.