New Mexico State University’s bachelor’s degree program in geomatics has been accredited by the Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission of ABET, the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology.
ABET accreditation assures that programs meet standards to produce graduates ready to enter critical technical fields that are leading the way in innovation and emerging technologies, and anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public.
“Our program was developed with substantial direction and support from industry, state and national professional societies. Accreditation validates that our efforts were made in the right direction,” said College of Engineering Dean Lakshmi N. Reddi.
NMSU has the only four-year degree program in geomatics in New Mexico. Recently revamped, the geomatics program features studies of new technologies and flexible ways for degree completion, offering a pathway for students who graduate from two-year institutions. Geomatics uses advanced technologies such as satellites, drones and high-resolution scanners to define our world and determine boundaries.
NMSU’s program has gained national recognition receiving awards and funds for program support and scholarships amounting to about $500,000 over the past several years from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying Education, New Mexico Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors, Public Service Company of New Mexico, New Mexico Gas Company, New Mexico Professional Surveyors and others.
“The support we have been receiving has helped us build the new program, increase our educational resources, develop online course material, offer classes with more flexibility, and promote the profession,” said Professor Ahmed Elaksher, geomatics program coordinator. “Currently, there is significant interest in the new program as more than 45 students are now enrolled.”
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.
“Our geomatics graduates have 100 percent employment and earn very competitive salaries,” Reddi said. “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.”
Sought worldwide, ABET’s voluntary peer-review process is highly respected because it adds critical value to academic programs in the technical disciplines, where quality, precision and safety are of the utmost importance.
Developed by technical professionals from ABET’s member societies, ABET criteria focus on what students experience and learn. ABET accreditation reviews look at program curricula, faculty, facilities and institutional support and are conducted by teams of highly skilled professionals from industry, academia and government, with expertise in the ABET disciplines.
ABET is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization with ISO 9001:2015 certification. It currently accredits 4,307 programs at 846 colleges and universities in 41 countries and areas.
