Key Highlights

• Surveyor PETER G NDIRANGU‘s demonstration of #SLAM #LiDAR during the International #GISday celebration at Taita Taveta University (TTU) showcased LiDAR’s efficiency in reducing the labour intensity of tasks such as #stockpile volume estimation.

• A case study by TTU mining engineering students, Jared Etaba and Karen Ngari, demonstrated the accuracy of LiDAR, achieving minimal deviation of 0.28% from the more labour-intensive traditional methods using #truckload counts and implying predictability and higher gains by giving a more accurate quantitative estimate as a basis for compensation. The case study has featured prominently, earning the first prize at TTU during the youth innovation contest hosted under the programme “KIPPRA-TTU Mentorship for Universities and TVETs”. This novel project has also been featured at the Kenya Mining Investment Conference and Expo 2024 and the 2024 DAAD/CEMEREM Alumni Seminar held in Voi, Kenya.

• University-industry collaboration is evolving to be a two-way vector in which industry must now intentionally go into universities to actively participate in mentoring students before they graduate to enable them to acquire the level of skills readiness the industry expects of them upon graduation. Industries, as hotbeds of hi-tech practical solutions, must now start engaging actively with universities as a timely intervention to help shape the future of learners in a technologically advancing world.

• SLAM LiDAR’s broader applications extend to precise topographical mapping in aid of flood modelling, seismic studies, infrastructure planning, and environmental risk management.

Celebrating a Decade of GIS Day Excellence

International GIS Day has become an essential platform for fostering innovation and collaboration between academia and industry. On November 20, 2024, Taita Taveta University (TTU) marked its 10th annual GIS Day celebration—aptly christened the Decade of Delivery. This event has consistently showcased cutting-edge geospatial solutions, bringing together students, academics, industry practitioners, and government decision-makers to explore GIS-driven strategies for sustainable development.

The 9th GIS Day event at TTU was no exception, with the theme “GIS for Sustainable Futures in the Age of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence”. Among the highlights was an inspiring demonstration of the transformative power of LiDAR technology by Surveyor Peter Ndirangu of POLKEN, exemplifying the essence of university-industry collaboration and inspiring a dynamic duo of undergraduate students to take on an innovative practice-oriented project, applying LiDAR technology to enhance quantitative estimates of stockpiles fo the mining industry.

LiDAR: A Revolution in Precision Mapping

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) has become a game-changer of precision survey and mapping following its groundbreaking developments, sustained since its inception in the 1960s. Over the decades, this technology has advanced remarkably, enabling the generation of highly granular point clouds for 3D modelling. SLAM (Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping) LiDAR, a state-of-the-art application, further enhances this capability by enabling precise mapping in GNSS-denied and risky environments.

Peter Ndirangu, a Kenyan surveyor and leading practitioner in the geomatics space, demonstrated the versatility and efficiency of SLAM LiDAR during the GIS Day celebration. His showcase illustrated how this technology can streamline traditionally labour-intensive tasks such as stockpile volume estimation, underground mapping, and reverse engineering to recreate digital or physical models of existing objects, legacy infrastructure, or environments for which original designs, plans, or blueprints are missing, outdated, or inaccessible. This involves scanning the objects or environment to generate precise 3D models or maps that can then be analysed and used for various applications, including Building Information Modelling (BIM), urban planning, archaeology, and forestry, among others. With LiDAR, creating Digital Twins can never be easier!

Redefining University-Industry Collaboration

Ndirangu’s approach symbolises a paradigm shift in university-industry collaboration: instead of waiting for universities to send students to industry for internships, industry now actively engages with universities. This two-way vector was exemplified through his live demonstration at TTU, where he introduced students and faculty to SLAM LiDAR’s potential for real-world applications.

The impact of this engagement was immediate and inspiring. Mining engineering students Jared Etaba and Karen Ngari embarked on a practical case study in Kitengela, using SLAM LiDAR to quantify stockpile volumes and tonnage. Their findings, showing only a 0.28% deviation from traditional truckload counting methods, highlighted the efficiency, precision, and accuracy of LiDAR technology. This project demonstrated how modern geospatial tools can optimise operations, reduce costs, and enhance decision-making in the mining sector.

Transformative Applications for Sustainable Development

Beyond the mining industry, SLAM LiDAR offers transformative applications for addressing contemporary challenges. Its precision mapping capabilities are invaluable for:

• Flood risk modelling: Creating detailed topographical maps for improved drainage and risk mitigation.
• Seismic studies: Providing accurate terrain data on fault lines to inform disaster preparedness strategies.
• Utility and infrastructure planning: Enabling route surveys through vegetated and irregular terrains.
• Mining-induced water risks: Supporting geospatial proximity modelling to manage environmental impacts.

At TTU, GIS Day has consistently highlighted these broader implications, reinforcing the role of geospatial technologies in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Pioneering a Sustainable Future

As TTU celebrates its Decade of Delivery in hosted International GIS day events, events like GIS Day serve as a reminder of the vital role universities can play in driving innovation. By integrating cutting-edge solutions like SLAM LiDAR into academic curricula and research, institutions can equip students with the skills needed to tackle real-world challenges.

Peter Ndirangu’s lifelong commitment to advancing 3D solutions in geomatics—rooted in his postgraduate training in Poland—has set a powerful example for the next generation. His dedication to sharing knowledge through educational demos, combined with his practical expertise, underscores the transformative potential of university-industry collaboration.

A Call to Collaborate

The success of TTU’s GIS Day celebrations demonstrates that partnerships between academia and industry are key to unlocking innovation. To sustain this momentum, universities and industries must deepen their collaboration, leveraging events like GIS Day as a platform for mutual learning and growth.

As the 21st century ushers in the new Intelligence Revolution, technologies such as SLAM LiDAR will remain central to achieving efficiency, sustainability, and resilience in the mining and construction industry. By championing these technologies, universities are not only preparing their students for the future but also positioning themselves as leaders in shaping sustainable solutions for Kenya and beyond.