FACTS ANDFIGURES 2008 ITC: gateway to international knowledge exchange focusing on capacity building and institutional development
Introduction Geo-information management, worldwide and innovative The International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation was established in 1950 and is usually referred to as ITC because of its original name, the International Training Centre for Aerial Survey. Based in Enschede, in the east of the Netherlands, it is the largest institute of international higher education in the country. Knowledge field Geo-information science and earth observation consists of a combination of tools and methods for the collection, storage and processing of geospatial data, and for the dissemination and use of these data and of services based on these data. ITC provides tools that can support the processes of planning and decision making for sustainable development and the alleviation of poverty in emerging economies. By means of post - graduate education, research and project services, ITC s activities contribute to capacity building and institutional development in emerging countries and countries that are economically and/or technologically less advanced. Organisation The Institute is managed by a Directorate headed by a rector and a director for external affairs. Three bureaus manage the core processes of education, research and project services, which are executed by staff of the six scientific departments covering ITC s knowledge field. As of 1 January 2010, ITC will be a faculty (with special status) of the University of Twente (UT). The merger will be implemented in a way that preserves the distinctive character and mission of ITC. Key figures 1968 students, 1574 newly registered 511 degrees/diplomas/certificates awarded 9 degree courses, 7 diploma courses, 16 short courses, 4 refresher courses, 15 joint education courses, 9 distance education courses, 49 tailor-made courses 114 registrants for the Graduate programme 32 advisory projects 240 staff fte, which includes 18 professors Scientific departments Department of Earth Observation Science Department of Geo-information Processing Department of Urban and Regional Planning and Geo-information Management Department of Natural Resources Department of Water Resources Department of Earth Systems Analysis ITC s contribution to the UNU mission ITC is an associated institution of the United Nations University (UNU). The cooperation between ITC and the United Nations University is directed at developing and carrying out joint programmes on Capacity Building in Disaster Management and on Land Administration, and at disseminating knowledge on these and directly related issues. The programme activities are accommodated in two schools: School for Disaster Geo-Information Management School for Land Administration Studies UN Our Hope for Humankind FACTS AND FIGURES 2008 FACTS AND FIGURES 2008 FACTS AND FIGURES 2008 FACTS AND FIGU
research Multidisciplinary and problem oriented Interlinked research themes The Institute carries out research within the framework of a coherent research programme that addresses specific problem fields in geo-information science and earth observation. In order to ensure that new knowledge and innovation in space and resource management and in the provision of geospatial data lead to societal benefits, the programme is formulated as a number of interlinked research themes. In 2008 a new research theme was introduced: Governance and integrated spatial assessment. Research themes Biodiversity in fragmenting landscapes Carbon cycle and climate change Disaster management Earth systems science Food security and environmental sustainability Governance and integrated spatial assessment Informed multilevel governance of urban regions Land administration for informed governance Managing water scarcity Spatial data infrastructure technology Spatio-temporal data integration and visualisation Stochastic methods for image mining and data quality Sustainable urban-regional dynamics Topographic mapping Water cycle and climate Number of academic publications Type of publication 2007 2008 Peer-reviewed articles in ISI journals 67 76 Other refereed journal articles 17 18 Chapters in books 28 46 Books - 1 PhD theses 12 7 Total 124 148 Graduate programme Within the context of each theme, research is carried out by a group led by one of ITC s professors. Each group typically comprises several expert staff members and a number of graduate students carrying out research for a PhD degree within the framework of the ITC Graduate programme. The total number of registrants in the Graduate programme at the end of 2008 was 114. In 2008, seven doctoral candidates successfully defended a doctoral thesis. Joint research agreements The Institute strives to carry out research in conjunction with partners who contribute complementary scientific expertise and/or are confronted with scientific problems that fall within the context of the mission of the Institute. To this end, the Institute pursues and has entered into a range of research agreements with partners. The resulting agreements range from general principles such as memoranda of understanding and framework agreements (22) to partnership agreements supporting specified PhD students (34). Joint research agreements have already been implemented in Argentina, Bolivia, China, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Nigeria, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania and the UK. In 2008 the Institute implemented new agreements in Brazil, Ethiopia, India, the Netherlands and South Africa. ES 2008 FACTS AND FIGURES 2008 FACTS AND FIGURES 2008
education A multicultural environment Our courses Over the years, ITC has developed a wide selection of courses in its degree, diploma and certificate programmes in geo-information science and earth observation. These courses are offered in the Netherlands, online and abroad by ITC itself or by ITC in collaboration with reputable qualified education organisations (joint courses). Programmes in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation Degree programmes in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation Master of Science (MSc) degree programme Master degree programme Diploma programmes in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation Postgraduate diploma programme (PGD) Undergraduate diploma programme Certificate programmes Certificate course programme and individual modules Distance education programme Refresher programme Graduate programme ITC s degree programmes are legally recognised in the Netherlands and are accredited by the Netherlands Flemish Accreditation Organisation. Eight courses are offered in the degree and diploma programmes in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation: Applied Earth Sciences (MSc, PGD) Environmental Modelling and Management (MSc) Geoinformatics (MSc, Master, PGD, Undergraduate diploma) Governance and Spatial Information Management (MSc) Land Administration (MSc, PGD) Natural Resources Management (MSc, Master, PGD) Urban Planning and Management (MSc, PGD) Water Resources and Environmental Management (MSc, PGD) (MSc = 18 months; Master = 12 months; PGD = 9 months; Diploma = 9 months) Education partnerships To address the increasing demand for flexibility in education, ITC has entered into partnerships with reputable organisations and universities in different countries. Current partnerships have been expanded and intensified within the Netherlands, within Europe (Sweden, the UK and Poland) and within other continents. Part or all of a course accredited by ITC is conducted by these organisations. In this way the ITC education programme contributes to human resources development within production organisations and education and academic institutes. Outside Europe, joint programmes have already been implemented in Bolivia, China (Wuhan, Xian), Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, and Tanzania. In 2008 a new course started in Ghana. Education partnerships Joint research agreements (December 2008) FACTS AND FIGURES 2008 FACTS AND FIGUR
Education at ITC One of the world s foremost education and research establishments in the field of geo-information science and earth observation Dedicated scientific staff with a diverse range of expertise A unique programme structure Flexible modular education programmes to meet your individual training needs A personal approach State-of-the-art facilities Close links with Dutch universities in the field of MSc and PhD research Enschede, modern comfortable accommodation in a friendly atmosphere Our students Since its foundation, more than 19,000 students from over 170 countries have completed ITC courses. The origins and backgrounds of ITC course participants have a significant influence on the education processes. The majority of these participants are professionals in their respective fields, with prior academic training and (usually) professional experience. Student statistics Students newly registered 2005 2006 2007 2008 Degree/diploma programme 207 232 220 250 Degree/diploma joint education 113 171 168 180 Short courses/modules/other at ITC 222 179 198 185 Distance education 11 71 137 90 Contract education at ITC 125 59 168 123 Contract education on site/refresher courses 923 652 834 746 Data on student numbers 2005 2006 2007 2008 Number of students 1778 1563 2116 1968 Academically acceptable applications 2354 3261 4171 3507 ITC degrees/diplomas/certificates awarded 627 555 421 511 Registrants for the Graduate programme 50 66 96 114 Financing 2005 2006 2007 2008 NFP fellowships 147 187 167 168 DGIS project fellowships 73 5 9 2 Multilateral and national organisations 3 36 13 72 Students financed from other sources* 362 1140 1536 1332 *This includes students financed by their own government, university or employer or by ITC ITC has built up an extensive network of international contacts, in which former students take a prominent position. ITC assigns great importance to updating the knowledge and skills of its alumni and therefore regularly organises refresher courses and special short training programmes both in the Netherlands and abroad. ITC also supports its former students by providing access to library services, the ITC newsletter, an e-mail address, digital communities and other facilities. In 2008, together with a range of partners and financed by NUFFIC, ITC organised four refresher courses in Colombia, Mongolia, Pakistan and Uganda. To stimulate and maintain contacts between alumni, ITC assists in establishing ITC alumni associations and organises alumni gatherings in various countries/regions. In 2008 gatherings were organised in Canada, China, Ghana, India, Iran, Mexico, Mongolia, Namibia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey and USA. S 2008 FACTS AND FIGURES 2008 FACTS AND FIGURES 2008 FACTS AND FIGURES 2008
project services Integral component of the core mission of ITC Project services are an important activity of ITC and consist of four components: Institutional development Advisory services Contract research Contract education Number of of projects per component 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 2006 2007 2008 Institutional development Contract research Advisory services Contract education 6 5 Turnover Turnover projects projects per per year year 5,861 x 1,000 4 3 2 1 0 4,214 4,363 2006 2007 2008 Turnover ITC s project services are geared to solving problems of developing countries and emerging economies. A second aim is the generation of income to help ITC in accomplishing its mission to support development. Project services are carried out in relation to all of ITC s research themes (see section on research) and their main focus is capacity building and the development and application of new technology. To accommodate the rapidly changing demand for capacity building and institutional strengthening, ITC offers a flexible package of training and project services tailored to the needs of its clientele in terms of content, duration and location. ITC s main clients are development cooperation agencies, multilateral organisations, international financing institutions, national and local governments, NGOs and private companies. FACTS AND FIGURES 2008 FACTS AND FIGURES 2008 FACTS AND FIGURES 2008 FACTS AND
staff Dedicated staff with a diverse range of expertise Staff ITC employs 268 staff members (240 fte), representing 25 nationalities. Twenty percent of the staff members have a nationality other than Dutch. Fte Fte distribution distribution Fte in scientific departments Fte in scientific departments 14 32% 24% 24 22 20 21% 3% 20% 22 26 Education Research Project services Process support General support Earth Observation Science Geo-information Processing Urban and Regional Planning and Geo-information Management Natural Resources Water Resources Earth Systems Analysis financial Affairs Getting down to brass tacks A positive result of e 1,078,000 was foreseen in the 2008 budget. This result was to be reserved for maintaining an adequate level of student housing. In the event, the definitive 2008 result was e 1,707,000, because the budgets for housing, research and the ITC Capacity Building Programme were underspent. Financial overview 2007 and 2008 (x e 1,000) 2007 2008 Income: Basic subsidy 22,861 23,551 Tuition fees 1,761 2,065 Turnover projects 4,363 5,861 Miscellaneous 2,016 1,760 Total income 31,001 33,237 Expenditure: Salaries, social security 17,250 17,296 Depreciation 1,914 2,069 Other costs 10,764 12,165 Total expenses 29,927 31,530 Operational result 1,074 1,707 GURES 2008 FACTS AND FIGURES 2008 FACTS AND FIGURES 2008 FACTS AND FIGURES 2008
Facts and Figures 2008 offers a selection of data for the year concerned. For more information: International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) Hengelosestraat 99 Postbus 6 7500 AA Enschede The Netherlands Tel: +31 (0) 53 487 44 44 Fax: +31 (0) 53 487 44 00 E-mail: pr@itc.nl Internet: www.itc.nl INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR GEO-INFORMATION SCIENCE AND EARTH OBSERVATION Pictures: Gerard Kuster