**1. Introduction**

Geomatics is the new discipline that integrates the tasks of gathering, storing, processing, modeling, analyzing, and delivering spatially referenced data or location information [1]. The spatial technologies represent the core of geomatics and help determine the location and identifying the bathymetry of water bodies. The broad application of geomatics technologies in marine and oceanography applications has allowed geomatics to integrate all the elements of spatial sciences and remote sensing along with measurements in a unique discipline

© 2016 The Author(s). Licensee InTech. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2018 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

known as hydrography. Hydrography is defined as the science of mapping and charting the depths of water, whether it is seas, lakes, rivers, or oceans. There are many supporting fields to hydrography including coastal zone management, nautical charting, the safety of navigation, ocean mapping, marine resource exploration, maritime boundary delimitation, protection of the marine environment, marine science, and naval activities of defense. The importance that hydrography gained in the recent years is because of the collective efforts ongoing and the justified need for more additional work on further exploring and exploiting natural resources available in marine environments. The IHO estimates that at least 50% of the world's coastal waters are unsurveyed. The polar regions, the South West Pacific, West Africa and the Caribbean are about 10% surveyed. Moreover, in those areas where studies do exist, many are so old or of such a quality that they cannot support the modern requirements. A direct influence on measurements and observations related to climate and climate change makes hydrography a key enabler to the sustainable development of the seas and the best management and governance of the ocean sustainability and resources.

Until about 20 years ago, the traditional components of geomatics, namely: photogrammetry, cartography, remote sensing, and surveying were all independent, and each had its distinct identity [2]. However, geomatics development is directly attributed to the advances in computer science [3]. To this end, there is a debate about whether geomatics is an evolution of the traditional surveying engineering or natural development in the field of earth science. Regardless of the origin of geomatics, the fundamental fact is that it is not possible for a single person, i.e., surveyor or computer scientist to provide a complete solution at the required knowledge depth necessary [2]. Geomatics provides collaborative solutions have a broad range of applications [4], which makes it a unique discipline. Applications such as spatial database design and management, environmental engineering and climate change modeling, oceanography, forestry, geology, geophysics, civil engineering, and biology have made geomatics as a hub for subspecialties of high professional and economic interest [5, 6]. **Figure 1** show the interdisciplinary science of Marine Geomatics.

The approach investigated the need and challenges faced to supply the job market with highly trained professionals that are internationally certified to carry out their job, regardless of their regional boundaries. This study discusses issues related to challenges and opportunities for geomatics education and showcases the development of the new hydrographic surveying program at KAU, in the heart of a large metropolitan port city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The study highlights particular issues as a model for geomatics education in similar

Lessons Learned from the Establishments of the First Hydrographic Surveying Program…

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.82527

47

In the following sections, the paper sets the foundation for justifying the need for hydrographic surveying program, examines students' performance and satisfaction through survey analysis, and explores current challenges through subject matter experts (SMEs) interviews. It outlines the development of the curricula and introduces the challenges faced by the program and the opportunities that await the new curriculum as it relates to KAU. The last section of the paper draws conclusions within the context of challenges and opportunities associated

The significance of approach-based engineering education research has been documented by many researchers, including [7]. Several interdisciplinary subdomain research methods have received substantial attention in education research due to their emergence to form multidisciplinary approach. Case and Light and Cousin [8, 9] indicated that attribution of understanding and implementation of tools as procedures of inquiry in engineering research methods is to the way of their application as tools and context interpreted. The framework formed by the

with the development and evaluation of new specialized geomatics programs.

parts of the world.

**Figure 1.** Marine geomatics as interdisciplinary science.

**2. Literature review**

**2.1. Geomatics education**

instruments and methods is known as "methodology."

The objectives of this chapter address the challenges and highlight the opportunities that arise from developing marine geomatics program in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as an international model of collaboration for similar international efforts. The study was planned to achieve three primary goals, specifically:


Lessons Learned from the Establishments of the First Hydrographic Surveying Program… http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.82527 47

**Figure 1.** Marine geomatics as interdisciplinary science.

known as hydrography. Hydrography is defined as the science of mapping and charting the depths of water, whether it is seas, lakes, rivers, or oceans. There are many supporting fields to hydrography including coastal zone management, nautical charting, the safety of navigation, ocean mapping, marine resource exploration, maritime boundary delimitation, protection of the marine environment, marine science, and naval activities of defense. The importance that hydrography gained in the recent years is because of the collective efforts ongoing and the justified need for more additional work on further exploring and exploiting natural resources available in marine environments. The IHO estimates that at least 50% of the world's coastal waters are unsurveyed. The polar regions, the South West Pacific, West Africa and the Caribbean are about 10% surveyed. Moreover, in those areas where studies do exist, many are so old or of such a quality that they cannot support the modern requirements. A direct influence on measurements and observations related to climate and climate change makes hydrography a key enabler to the sustainable development of the seas and the best

Until about 20 years ago, the traditional components of geomatics, namely: photogrammetry, cartography, remote sensing, and surveying were all independent, and each had its distinct identity [2]. However, geomatics development is directly attributed to the advances in computer science [3]. To this end, there is a debate about whether geomatics is an evolution of the traditional surveying engineering or natural development in the field of earth science. Regardless of the origin of geomatics, the fundamental fact is that it is not possible for a single person, i.e., surveyor or computer scientist to provide a complete solution at the required knowledge depth necessary [2]. Geomatics provides collaborative solutions have a broad range of applications [4], which makes it a unique discipline. Applications such as spatial database design and management, environmental engineering and climate change modeling, oceanography, forestry, geology, geophysics, civil engineering, and biology have made geomatics as a hub for subspecialties of high professional and economic interest [5, 6]. **Figure 1** show the interdisciplinary science of Marine Geomatics.

The objectives of this chapter address the challenges and highlight the opportunities that arise from developing marine geomatics program in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as an international model of collaboration for similar international efforts. The study was planned

**1.** The utilization of maritime resources is critical to ensuring the economic well-being of many economies. For the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, the region requires increasing academician awareness with challenges and opportunities as a result of developing a new marine geomatics program with regional specifics of geographic and socio-

**2.** For local development to occur, it is important to invest in the local establishment of "approach-based engineering education," despite the high costs and other challenges, such as meeting multiple stakeholders' requirements in skill-based education. Such development requires an increased level of the knowledge of the role of the local and international stakeholders' contribution to the development of a new marine geomatics program.

**3.** Evaluation of the program outcomes and accomplishments in 10 years since its inception is necessary to ensure the establishment of the involved knowledge and its generational

cultural constraints, as well as with international impact and contribution.

management and governance of the ocean sustainability and resources.

to achieve three primary goals, specifically:

46 Trends in Geomatics - An Earth Science Perspective

transmission.

The approach investigated the need and challenges faced to supply the job market with highly trained professionals that are internationally certified to carry out their job, regardless of their regional boundaries. This study discusses issues related to challenges and opportunities for geomatics education and showcases the development of the new hydrographic surveying program at KAU, in the heart of a large metropolitan port city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The study highlights particular issues as a model for geomatics education in similar parts of the world.

In the following sections, the paper sets the foundation for justifying the need for hydrographic surveying program, examines students' performance and satisfaction through survey analysis, and explores current challenges through subject matter experts (SMEs) interviews. It outlines the development of the curricula and introduces the challenges faced by the program and the opportunities that await the new curriculum as it relates to KAU. The last section of the paper draws conclusions within the context of challenges and opportunities associated with the development and evaluation of new specialized geomatics programs.
