Mariano Marcos
State University

AIT expert engages MMSU marine bio and envi sci students in RSGIS forum

By Jedd Bryant Boado
 

Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) Program Director Ranadheer Mandadi facilitated a lecture-forum on the basics of remote sensing and geographical information systems (RSGIS) for marine biology and environmental science students and faculty at the MMSU National Bionergy Research and Innovation Center (NBERIC) on February 13.
 

Aimed to integrate RSGIS into farming and fishing practices, the event titled “Seminar on the Application of RSGIS for Coastal Resource and Environmental Management” was attended by a total of 88 students. Representing MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr., Vice President for Administration and Finance Fides Bernardo Bitanga encouraged participants to conduct more impactful research in these areas. 
 

In his talk, Dr. Mandadi shared examples of RSGIS, which include passive sensors like Landsat for satellite imagery, and active sensors like Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), for mapping of both natural and manmade objects. These technologies allow for efficient monitoring of agricultural and fishing outputs.
 

“We can map forests and oceans that experience the effects of climate change and pollution through LiDAR and remote sensing and observe their changes,” Dr. Mandadi said.
 

Meanwhile, Dr. Arlene Gonzales, Project Leader of MMSU’s Mangrove Project, is hopeful that the technology can improve MMSU’s program on “Green Engineering for Sustainable Mangrove Management for Resilient Coastal Communities” by providing information about these locations to ensure the growth and conservation of mangroves.
 

As the head of the Sustainability and Futures Thinking unit, Dr. Gonzales added, “With the help of RSGIS features, we are optimistic that our Green Engineering program can help solve existing problems in our coastal municipalities, like the lack of sediments that mangroves can anchor to survive.”
 

At the end of the lecture, an open forum was held for students to share their thoughts about the technology and its application to their respective fields. Dr. Mandadi also urged the students to look at the problems of Ilocos Norte and use the technology to address them.
 

The RSGIS seminar is an annual research and extension activity between AIT and MMSU. This is also the third time that Dr. Mandadi was asked to be the speaker at the said forum.