Mission Statement

With the motto: "We provide the data, you make the difference", the mission of The Centre for GIS is:

To coordinate a systematic implementation of GIS in Qatar, which simplifies data transfer between all agencies, minimizes data redundancy, and ensures suitably trained personnel are available to operate and manage the various components of the system.

It does this by developing national standards, specifications and procedures for the orderly collection, storage and retrieval of GIS data; by encouraging inter-agency cooperation; by providing a high speed fibre optic network (GISnet), accurate spatial reference bases, technical support and advice; by developing special products; by hosting training programs, seminars and conferences; and by publishing periodicals.

In carrying out this mission, The Centre for GIS provides support and services in the following areas:

• As the official mapping agency for the State of Qatar, The Centre maintains and provides on-line access to Qatar's Digital Topographic Database. This comprehensive database comprises of highly accurate, topologically structured, Topographic Vector Maps; high resolution Orthoimagery and high precision Digital Elevation Model.

  

  A physiographic map of Dukhan showing terrain elevation classified by color zones. Green shades for the low, brown shades for the medium and grey shades for the high zones.Red lines indicate sharp discontinuity of slope.
  

  

  
  A 3-D earth model of the same area with an overlay of the corresponding ortho image, depicting a bird's eye view of Dukhan.
  

  

  
  The same earth model of Dukhan draped with a topographic map extracted from Qatar GIS topographic database.
  

• By convening and chairing GIS Coordinators Group meetings on a regular basis, with representatives from every agency, The Centre encourages cooperation, sharing and coordination of GIS activities and ensures adherence to and compatibility of all GIS standards.
  
  
• The Centre maintains the high speed fibre optic network called GISnet, linking all of Qatar's GIS databases and ensures it is secure and operational at all times.
  
  
• As the official geodetic agency for the State of Qatar, The Centre maintains precise horizontal and vertical geodetic networks and maintains an active GPS Base Station, which tracks GPS satellites 24 hours a day. The Centre makes these GPS signals available on-line to users and computes and broadcasts differential corrections.
  
  
• The Centre also supports and assists government agencies in setting up their GIS units, and training their personnel in data automation procedures and in the development and use of database specifications, standards and GIS applications.
  
  
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  Developing products of value to a variety of GIS and GPS users is an important part of The Centre's work. Already several such products have been created which are widely used by Government agencies and the public alike. For example, Electronic Place Finder, AMaPS, MapExpress, InstaMap, Instaview, SPIDER, GEONAB, the National Archive of Geographic Names of Qatar, and the Centre's active GPS base station.

   

• The Centre also provides technical information and support to the National GIS Steering Committee of Qatar, develops and maintains relationships with international GIS organizations and participates in international cooperative agreements.
  
  

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