Geoinformatics encompasses a collection of special techniques, technologies, and tools for the acquisition, processing, management, analysis, and presentation of geospatial data. Geoinformatics is based on a range of synergetic activities including geospatial modeling, geospatial analysis, geospatial databases, geospatial technologies, information systems, systems design, spatial cognition, human-computer interaction, mobile computing, wired and wireless network technologies. Since the introduction of Geoinformation technology in Bangladesh during the late 80s in the form of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS), the professional community has grown significantly.
Geoinformatics is now included in curriculum of all the major public and private universities of the country. About 300 students graduate from different universities with theoretical and practical knowledge of Geoinformatics. The disciplines involved in Geoinformatics represent a wide spectrum spanning both the Natural and Social Sciences. The involved disciplines include Geography, Geology, Planning (Urban & Regional Planning, Rural Planning, Physical Planning), other Natural Sciences, Engineering, Telecommunications Technology and Computing Sciences. A large pool of Bangladeshi Geoinformatics professionals are now engaged in various government departments, private companies and NGOs in the country and abroad. These professionals work in sectors like, Exploration and Mining, Water Resources Management, Agriculture, Coastal Resources, Forest Resources, Local Government, Urban & Regional Planning etc.
The large Geoinformatics community, till date, has existed in a diffused manner without a common platform to interact. The professional issues and other difficulties faced by the group have yet to be collectively handled in a relevant forum. There have been several attempts in the past to form such platform, but these were discontinued. The newly formed “Bangladesh Society of Geoinformatics” has been registered with the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies as a Professional Society under “The Society Registration Act, XXI of 1860” on August 20, 2006. The initiators of the Society expect that all professional issues can now be adequately handled with all out support from the community.