OSGeo signs Memorandum of Understanding with CGS Nottingham


 * Nottingham, UK ,September 22, 2010

The Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo) and the Centre for Geospatial Science (CGS), University of Nottingham have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of an Open Source Geospatial Lab (OSGL) and to develop collaboration opportunities for academia, industry and government organisations in open source GIS software and data in the UK.

Professor Mike Jackson, Director of the Centre of Geospatial Science, said "The MOU between OSGeo and the Centre for Geospatial Science at the University of Nottingham is an indication of the close collaboration between the two organisations which has already underpinned two very successful Conferences on open source research in the geospatial domain. CGS is funding two research internships to help progress joint research activities and welcomes both offers of funding for further internee sponsorships and approaches from potential visiting scientists who may wish to spend a period of time based at the Centre in Nottingham to work on open source geospatial research."

Arnulf Christl, President of OSGeo, said, "The Foundation has successfully achieved it's first primary goal: To support Free and Open Source Software projects in the geospatial realm. One of the other two pillars of the foundation is supporting education which is much harder for a developer driven organization to achieve on it's own. Therefore this Memorandum of Understanding with CGS is a great success from OSGeo's point of view and will mark the start of an ongoing strong partnership with academia. In the long run this will enhance education and research in the Open Source geospatial realm in a broader context as other institutes recognize the opportunity and join forces."

Tyler Mitchell, Executive Director of OSGeo said "Engaging academia at several levels is crucial to meeting our common long term missions of advancing open source geospatial technology. OSGeo's relationship with CGS serves as a proactive template for how other institutions can also engage with OSGeo at a more formal level.  This will open up additional exciting opportunities that we haven't even thought of yet."

The MOU provides for the establishment of a research laboratory for supporting development of open-source geospatial software technologies, training and expertise. It also provides provision of internship opportunities for high quality students. An Advisory Board/Steering Committee coordinated by the OSGeo Board and CGS, is to be setup and will be comprised of key members of OSGeo, OSGeo:UK, eminent academics, industry leaders, etc. to give strategic input and direction for Open Source Geospatial Lab and its open source activities.

Internships
The first phase of internships are now released at http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/cgs/news/internships.aspx

Communication
http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/uk