ITC and GIN Forge Strategic Partnership to Strengthen the Geo-Sector

Dedicated to strengthening the geo-professional community in the Netherlands and beyond, fostering innovation, collaboration, and growth

As of September 2024, the Faculty Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) of the University of Twente has become a strategic partner of Geo-Information Netherlands (GIN). This collaboration aims to strengthen the geo-sector while fostering knowledge sharing and development both nationally and internationally.

Why This Partnership?

This partnership builds on shared goals to professionalise the geo-sector and promote knowledge exchange.

For ITC, the collaboration provides a stronger connection to the Dutch professional field through:

• Graduate Projects & Internships: Opportunities for ITC master’s students at Dutch organisations.
• Industry Engagement: Involvement of Dutch professionals in ITC’s programme advisory committees.
• Research and Consultancy: Increased participation in Dutch geo-projects.
• Geo-Themed Events: Active contributions to events within the Netherlands.

For GIN, the partnership supports international ambitions, such as:

• Publishing an annual English-language edition of Geo-Info.
• Strengthening the GIN International Working Group.

GIN also continues to enhance educational alignment across the Dutch geo-sector, spanning vocational to academic levels.

What’s Next?

This partnership enables new opportunities for joint activities, including:

• Organising events to foster community engagement.
• Developing training and lifelong learning initiatives, such as ITC’s Geoversity platform.

ITC is also making strides to:

• Increase the accessibility of its master’s programmes for Dutch and European students.
• Launch an academic bachelor’s programme in geo-information and earth observation.

A Shared Vision for the Future

Through this partnership, GIN and ITC are dedicated to strengthening the geo-professional community in the Netherlands and beyond, fostering innovation, collaboration, and growth.

About GIN

Geo-Information Netherlands (GIN) represents Dutch geo-information professionals across government, industry, and academia. Its mission is to enhance collaboration within the sector and advance the expertise of geo-professionals.

About ITC

The ITC Faculty at the University of Twente specialises in academic education, research, and technology development in earth observation and geo-information. Historically focused on capacity building in the Global South, ITC has, since its integration into the University of Twente in 2010, expanded its impact within Dutch academic education and research while maintaining its international orientation.