Fostering Cooperation In Government : GIS Initiatives lead the wayby Abdalla Al-Kuwari and Alnoor Ladak, The Centre for GIS - State of Qatar
|
|
|
|
Abstract : |
One of the fundamental implementation objectives of GIS in the State of Qatar has been the fostering of a cooperative environment among the various government agencies implementing GIS. In practice, the implementation of GIS in Qatar is carried out by all participating government agencies using a standard approach under guidelines and standards set by The Centre for GIS.
Although this method has worked with tremendous success technically, the key distinguishing feature that makes Qatar's GIS implementation stand out among others worldwide, is the cooperation and willingness of various agencies to work together on a daily and practical basis for a common goal; that has made the program so successful. This virtue has been further enhanced by the sharing of ideas, innovations, techniques and applications. Leadership and management initiatives - particularly the multi-agency GIS Coordinators' Group and its role - have been the cornerstone of this approach.
The paper will discuss and illustrate how this process has been implemented from a management perspective between various agencies; and will highlight real-life experiences that have led to increasing efficiencies, productivity gains and in certain cases, even change the way work is done. The GISNet concept, and how it has enabled this cooperative spirit to thrive, by providing the backbone that permits the exchange of data and resources within the multi-agency environment will also be emphasized.
Abdallah Al-Kuwari - Profile :
Abdallah Al-Kuwari has graduated as an Electronic
Engineer specialized in (Digital) from The University of
Arizona. He was The Head of IT at the Ministry of Interior
from 1982-1989, where he contributed in many developments.
Then he became The Head of Planning at the Computer
Department at the same Ministry. During this period he was a
member of The GIS Technical Committee.
In 1992, he joined The Centre for GIS at The Ministry of
Municipal Affairs and Agriculture as The Head of GIS Support
Services. In 1996 he was appointed as The Assistant Head of
The CGIS.
He has attended many courses in System Analysis & Design
and GIS technology. He has represented the country in many
Conferences and International gatherings.
Alnoor Ladak - Profile :
Alnoor began his professional career in GIS with ESRI
Canada in 1989 after studying Computer Science at the
University of Waterloo. Over the five years at ESRI, he
focused on developing and designing GIS applications for
natural resource sectors. These mainly included land
resource information systems for various municipalities in
Ontario, government agencies, and companies in the forestry
industry. He also conducted training at ESRI's training
centre. In 1994, he moved on to become Manager of GIS at the
Town of Richmond Hill, a bustling municipality in Ontario,
where he established anew the GIS program for the
municipality.
In 1995, Alnoor came to Qatar as the GIS Coordinator for
Roads Division. Since then, major initiatives have been
launched in the division to establish GIS technology
beginning with Traffic and Highway Maintenance Sections.
Survey projects to capture all traffic junction equipment,
traffic signs and street name signs have also been
implemented. Significant research initiatives have been
undertaken - and resulted in processes - to automate road
centreline generation and geo-coding for Qatar's nationwide
road centreline coverage. He presented a paper on the said
research at ESRI's Annual User Conference in 1996. The
information management system - TRAMS - developed for
Traffic Section was also recognized with an award at the
conference.
|
|
|
| |
