An anniversary is naturally an occasion for celebration and 70 years is a respectable age in anyone’s book. But what are we actually celebrating? Simply a date on a calendar or is there more?
Snooping through the ITC archives, we have selected some highlights that chart the history of the Institute since its foundation. Many of these will stir up memories in our alumni, partners and associates ‒ who together form ITC’s extensive, and extending, global network ‒ and enable them to identify their own niche in the scheme of things. But as we walk along the milestones marking our path, one thing is clear: the foresight and energy that characterised the early years of the Institute is still very much with us today.
So, yes, we do have a great deal to celebrate as we consider our journey so far, but equally important we can celebrate the fact that thanks to the sound foundations laid and consolidated over the past 70 years we are able to face the future with optimism and confidence. History is still being written!.
ITC is the coordinator of a new joint Master of Science programme in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation for Environmental Modelling and Management (GEM)
Prof Dr Ir Tom Veldkamp
Final design ITC building approved
ITC starts a new Centre of Expertise in Big Geodata Science
The data set of ITC Alumna Irene Garcia-Martí was the 100,000th data set deposited in DANS EASY
Maarten van Aalst appointed to Princess Margriet Research Chair as full professor for ‘Spatial resilience for Disasters Risk Reduction’.
The fifth time in a row that the ITC master programme receives quality seal Top rated programme.
KenGen, Kenya’s leading electric power generation company, and ITC have agreed on a three year collaboration in the field of geothermal energy.
GEOCAP is an international collaboration between Indonesian and Dutch entities with the goal to develop intimately linked geothermal programmes for education and training, research and subsurface databases.
Scientific collaboration between the SERVIR program and ITC will help more people in developing countries harness the power of Earth observations and geospatial technologies to solve problems, improve lives and prepare for the future.
The NVAO has granted the accreditation for ITC’s new master's programme Spatial Engineering.
Fourth successive recognition for ITC's master programme
President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe appointed ITC alumnus Professor Amon Murwira as Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Development.
In the new edition of the ARWU Shanghai Ranking in the field of Remote Sensing, ITC was ranked sixth. In the field of Geography, ITC was ranked position 51-75.
Spatial Engineering: designing a sustainable future
Prof. dr. Gerard van der Steenhoven, Director General of the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), The Netherlands
Celebrating 50 years of joint education with the Indian Institute for Remote Sensing (IIRS)
Third recognition “Top rated programme” in a row
Geodata for Agriculture and Water (G4AW): Satellites and technology to combat hunger in developing countries
Daniel E. Irwin, Director of SERVIR (NASA)
The Agriculture Stress Index System (ASIS) project for Global Agriculture Drought Monitoring has been awarded the Geospatial World Excellence Award 2016
Second ‘top rated programme’ designation in a row for ITC
ITC starts two capacity development projects in Africa to strengthen education and training capacity in developing countries
ITC has joined a consortium that has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to carry out the 1.5 mio Euro GlobWetland Africa Project.
A sneak preview on the selected functionality of ILWIS 4
ITC celebrates 65th Dies Natalis with ITC alumni meet Enschede
Hon Dr Wilbur Ottichilo, Member of Parliament Emuhaya Constituency, Kenya
The academic Master of Science degree programme of Geo-information Science and Earth Observation has received a renewed accreditation by NVAO
ITC’s MSc Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation can proudly bear the 'Top-class programme' quality seal for a year.
Dr Adewale Akingbade
ITC has attained four spots in the Elsevier top 100 of most-downloaded papers in the field of Physical Sciences in the Netherlands.
ITC will receive three million Euros for the MESA project to focus on poverty reduction and sustainable development in 48 countries south of the Sahara desert in Africa.
President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, appointed UT alumna Siti Nurbaya Bakar as Minister of Environment and Forestry.
Minister Lilian Ploumen opened the Academic Programme on 1 October, and praised the role ITC plays worldwide.
Twenty six excellent students will begin with the 'ITC Excellence scholarship programme'. The students will, in addition to their normal curriculum, be challenged to expand their research skills.
Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet visits ITC together with a delegation from the Red Cross.
Dr Jane Bemigisha, CEO ESIPPS international
ITC received a research grant of $7.5 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for the STARS project to help the world’s poorest people.
The data processing of this image has been done by the Stereo Pair from DTM function of ITC’s ILWIS program Version 3.4
ITC and College of Hydraulic & Environmental Engineering (China Three Gorges University, CHEE-CTGU) sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU)
GEOCAP will develop intimately linked programmes for education and training, research and databases.
President of FIG, Mr. Teo CheeHai, visited several key organizations, of which ITC, working on Land Administration in the Netherlands.
The delegation from ‘Land Information New Zealand’ (LINZ) visited ITC for discussions on modern issues in land mapping.
10 years of existence of the GIMA MSc was celebrated at the ITC
Barbara J Ryan, Director Group on Earth observations (GEO) Switzerland)
A consortium of thirteen organisations and institutes has been granted an award of 997.541 Euro for a project on Earth Observation for Economic Empowerment (EOPOWER).
Department of Natural Resources' involvement in GEOSS
The Ethiopian Ambassador, His Excellency, Dr. Kassu Yilala visits ITC
ITC Alumnus Dr Tsehaie Woldai, Founder & First President of AARSE and ITC staf member
ITC Library donated educational textbooks to the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti in Nigeria
Dr Jennifer Dungan, NASA Ames Research Centre USA
The International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) selected Professor Martien Molenaar as ISPRS Fellow. (Photo: Gerard Kuster)
ITC’s 200th PhD Student, Dr Yijian Zeng (China) graduates Cum Laude
ITC Alumnus Professor Abdel Kadir Bin Taib from Malaysia
Joint MSc Degree Course Land Administration in Vietnam successfully launched
Dr Robert Gilmore Pontius Jr, Professor of Geography, Clark University Worcester USA
Dr. Mufeed Turkei, the cultural attaché of the republic of Iraq
A student chapter (ISCI) of the International Association for Mathematical Geosciences (IAMG) was founded by a group of enthusiastic students and staff members at ITC
ITC library has set up a book and journal donation program for all its partners
H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn from Thailand paid a working visit to ITC
The overall quantity and quality of research conducted at ITC has risen over the past three years
Lusaka agreement approves wildlife enforcement monitoring system
Prof Michael F. Goodchild, University of California
ITC alumnus Mr. Carlos Salman Gonzalez, Director General of ‘Sistemas de Información Geográfica, México
To promote the use of free near real-time environmental and Earth Observation data
The Honorable Dato Sri Douglas Uggah Embas, Minister of National Resources and Environment of Malaysia
ITC coordinates all TIGER Capacity Building Facility activities and maintains direct contact with the project institutions.
Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, University of Twente (ITC)
ITC Mace is handed to Executive Board UT
Formalization of the graduate association of ITC
Faculty ITC, Hanoi University of Mining and Geology (HUMG) and Hanoi University of Science (HUS) sign MoU’s
Professor Reiner Rummel, Institute for Astronomical and Physical Geodesy, Technical University of Munich
Dr Gilberto Câmara, Director General National institute for Space Research (INPE) Brazil
The University of Twente and ITC signed the official agreement for integration
Prof Salomon Kroonenberg , Delft University of Technology
Dr José Achache, Director of the GEO secretariat
First graduation ceremony of the joint ITC-IIRS course
Dr. C. Augustinus, Chief, Land and Tenure Section, Global Division, UN-HABITAT, Nairobi
,
Kenya
ITC appointed Associated Institution of the United National University (UNU)
First graduates of the joint ITC-Wuhan University MSc course
MSc programme Geo-information Science and Earth Observation for Environmental Modelling and Management (GEM)
Dr. J. Dangermond, President of the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI)
Geographical Information Management and Applications (GIMA)
A system for maintaining and strengthening relations between alumni
ITC Alumnus Dr Jide Kufoniyi gives ITC a mace made in Nigeria
Start of the Geodata Processing and Spatial Information minor for the Bachelor course at the University of Twente
HRH Prince Willem Alexander of the Netherlands
International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC)
University of Twente becomes Legal 'Custodian' of ITC
Implementation of Decentralised Educational Programmes
Move of thedepartments of Mineral Exploration and Exploration Geophysics from Delft to Enschede
Two textbooks on GIS and remote sensing
ITC News launched, a publication to be sent to all alumni and organisations affiliated with ITC
Visit of HRH Princess Margriet to mark the joint venture initiated between ITC and PCI
“Space: An Integral Part of Sustainable Development”
In May the 18th Annual Symposium of EARSEL was held at ITC.
First meeting of the founding members of the Association of Geographic Information Laboratories for Europe (AGILE) at ITC
Change in organisation of educational activities: all courses, except the diploma course, to start in September each year
ISSS - ITC conference on geo-information for sustainable land management : Enschede, ITC, 17-21 August 1997
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand (1996)
Opening of new ITC premises in Enschede by HRH PrincessMaha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand
Inauguration of Centre for Aerospace Survey and GIS Applications for Sustainable Natural Resources Development (CLAS)
Prof.Dr.Ing. G. Konecny, Insitut für Photogrammetrie und Ingenieursvermessungen, Hannover, Germany
SAIL is the umbrella organisation representing the five institutes for international education (IHE, ISS, MSM, IHS and ITC) and Wageningen Agricultural University
Dr. J.M.M. Ritzen, Minister for Education and Science
International Symposium Operationalization of Remote Sensing was held at ITC
Dr. A. Ramachandran, Under-Secretary General HABITAT
Visit of Minister Pronk of Development Cooperation
Dr. L.J. Brinkhorst, Director General of the Environment, Nuclear Safety and Civil Protection of the European Commission
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand follows a short course
Laying of the foundation stone for the Education Centre for Urban/Regional Surveying, Planning and Management (ECURSPAM) in Wuhan, China
By 1986 the ITC had invented a scheme wereby ITC PhD students were enrolled pro forma as a graduate student at one of the official universities and formally granted the degree by a resident full professor.
ISPRS Technical Commission VII Symposium held at ITC
Drs. W.J. Deetman, Minister for Education and Science, and Drs. P. Bukman, Minister for Development Cooperation
International Institute for Aerospace Survey and Earth Sciences (ITC)
Start six year programme of cooperation and support between ITC and Instituto Geografic Agustin Codazzi (IGAC, formerly CIAF)
Agreement with Chinese Academy of Science
Dr. E.G. Hallsworth, University of Sussex, UK
The era of Geographical Information Systems
Visit of Minister Schoo of Development Cooperation
Prof. Yash Pal, Secretary General UN Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
Prof.Dr.Ir. A.J. van der Weele, Rector ITC
Start of the course Application of Remote Sensing Techniques, dealing with new techniques in the use of satellite images
First International Social Evening: a journey around the world, with traditional dances and musical performances by ITC students
First courses at the School for Photogrammetric and Cartographic Operators, Bandung, Indonesia
Drs. J.P. Pronk, Minister for Development Cooperation
First course at the Regional Center for Training in Aerial Survey (RECTAS), Ile Ife, Nigeria
Prof.Dr. J. Tinbergen, President United Nations Development Planning Committee (winner of the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences 1969)
Partical moval of the institute from Delft to Enschede. Inauguration of ITC’s newpremisis by HRH Prince Claus of the Netherlands
Dr. A.J. Piekaar, Former Director General Ministry of Education and Science
Introduction of the ITC stereo trainer
First course at the Centro Inter-Americano de fotointerpretacion (CIAF) Colombia
International Institute for Aerial Survey and Earth Sciences (ITC)
The position of ITC as a private foundation for scientific education is officially recognised in the Dutch education system.
Following the agreement between Indian and Dutch governments regarding technical assistance, the first course is held at the Indian Photointerpretation Institute (IPI) in Dehra Dun, India
ITC-UNESCO Centre for Integrated Surveys
Professor Schermerhorn establishes the ITC Foundation Fund, encouraging scientific research in photogrammetry in general and at ITC in particular.
First edition of the International Bibliography of Photogrammetry Correspondents published at ITC
ITC was allowed to hand out Bachelor of Science degrees or Master of Science degrees to graduates as of 1958.
"But even more important is that here people from completely different origins, race, color and religion, are learning to interact in unity, and to work and reside together." - Pandhit Jawahar Lal Nehru, 1957 -
On November 1956, His Royal Highness Prince Bernard of the Netherlands officially opened the new building. The new building not only housed the Centre's training facilities but also contained student accommodation.
The first long term project,supported by the United Nations, started with the National Cartographic Centre (NCC) of Iran.
ITC participated in the founding of the OEEPE (currently Euro SDR)based at the institute.
Postgraduate or Technician Diplomas were given to those who graduated.
First courses of the ITC started in in 1951 and the – small informal – organisation used office space in the building of the Geodesy Department of the Techinical University of Delft.
1951 First certificate issued to Mr. L.J. Miranda-Ruiz from Venezuela
Sculptor Charles Hammes designed the so-called Kronkel for the Institute’s premises. This became the ITC logo and is recognised throughout the world.
The ITC came into existence by passing the charter of foundation on 11th July 1950. By that time there was no building for the new organization. It housed in a part of Geodesy building to the Technical University in Delft. Founder of the ITC – Prof.dr.ir.h.c. Willem Schermerhorn – was professor at the TU Delft and lived in the professor apartment at the Geodesy building.
Professor Schermerhorn is appointed dean of the International Training centre for Aerial Survey.
Prof.Dr.Ir. Willem Schermerhorn visits the UN Headquarters in Lake Success to advise on the use of cartography for UN purposes.