Revamped NMSU engineering geomatics/surveying gains growing support
The New Mexico State University Geomatics/Surveying Engineering program has received more than $151,000 of funding support over the past several years; $63,333 for this year alone. The support came from the New Mexico Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors and the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying.
NMSU has the only four-year degree program geomatics/surveying engineering in New Mexico. Recently revamped, the geomatics program features studies of new technologies and flexible ways for degree completion. Since the introduction of the revamped program, enrollment has nearly doubled and is continuing to grow. Geomatics uses advanced technologies such as satellites, drones and high-resolution scanners to define our world and determine boundaries.
The New Mexico Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors worked with the legislature “to create a scholarship program to enhance recruitment and retention of New Mexico Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors, increase career and educational opportunities, and improve interaction with the engineering and surveying professions with higher education institutions.” The surveying engineering/geomatics program will receive $30,000 from the board this year; it received $53,000 this past year.
The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying Education awarded NMSU surveying/geomatics $15,000 for programs “that have a broad and robust curriculum and best reflect NCEES’ mission to advance licensure for surveyors in order to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of the public.” The award jury considered criteria such as student outcomes and involvement; outreach and recruitment; and the promotion of licensure. NMSU is among seven schools receiving NCEES awards.
NCEES awarded the NMSU geomatics/surveying engineering program a $25,000 grand prize in 2019 and a $10,000 award in 2017.
“This recognition is particularly meaningful, indicating that the recent redesign of the geomatic curriculum program has been very successful,” said College of Engineering Dean Lakshmi N. Reddi. “The program was developed with substantial direction and support from industry, state and national professional societies. This recognition validates that our efforts were made in the right direction.”
“Our surveying engineering/geomatics graduates have 100 percent employment and earn very competitive salaries,” said Reddi. “This is a field that is in high demand. With more surveyors retiring nationwide and the rapid advances in this field, the demand for well-educated and skilled surveyors is booming.”
Graduates of the program meet the educational requirements for registration as a professional land surveyor in the state of New Mexico. They will be qualified to work in the geospatial industry for private surveying, construction and engineering firms, government highway departments, land commissions, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and many others.
For more information about the NMSU geomatics/surveying engineering degree program, visit https://et.nmsu.edu/geomatics-surveying/
