Esri partners with SLU to further research in geospatial technology

American-based geospatial information company, Esri announces its new official partnership with Saint Louis University (SLU) to further its research and innovation in geospatial technology as the latter strengthens its geospatial programming offering.

This partnership announcement comes as the university launches its new Geospatial Institute. This institute with support from Esri will bring together faculty and students from various disciplines to support and accelerate research, training, and innovation in geospatial science and technology.

We’re thrilled to be apart of this partnership and can’t wait to see what the future brings! @SLU_Official @NGA_GEOINT @Esri #GeoSLU https://t.co/1Tjuy4hykP

— GeoSLU (@geo_slu) February 12, 2020

The institute will facilitate research into GIS technology to explore ways it can provide insight into areas affecting the world today. It aims to tackle issues such as climate change, food and clean water security, economic stability and inequity, and public health.

The new institute will provide students with hands-on opportunities in a variety of research areas to fill the demand for new geospatial researchers and analysts in the area.

The partners also will collaborate with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), the nation’s primary resource for geospatial intelligence for the defense and intelligence communities.

Esri and NGA have a long-standing 30-year relationship in developing the scope and application of geospatial intelligence. SLU and the NGA had previously signed an agreement to share technical capabilities and research efforts to drive innovation in the geospatial field.

SLU has been at the center of the nation’s geospatial enterprise since the Corps of Discovery returned to St. Louis with maps of the Louisiana Territory in 1806.

President of SLU, Fred P. Pestello said that the university is thrilled with this partnership. Pestello adds “With SLU’s Geospatial Institute, we are excited to team our expertise with Esri’s experience to create security solutions for critical customers like NGA and to mitigate global challenges in a way that promotes human flourishing.”

Esri founder and president, Jack Dangermond will participate at Geo-Resolution 2020, a geospatial collaboration event hosted by SLU and NGA.

This conference will bring together government, academic, and industry leaders growing the geospatial ecosystem in the greater St. Louis region. Geo-Resolution represents the latest efforts from SLU and the broader St. Louis community to build geospatial capacity and to strengthen old and new collaborations across the nation.

Dangermond, commenting on this partnership said, “This partnership opens up exciting opportunities for collaboration and discovery between Saint Louis University, the NGA, and Esri.”

He added that SLU and the NGA are already coordinating research work to find solutions for areas of common concern such as public safety, health care, and emergency response.

Esri is looking forward to joining their efforts and contributing the latest geospatial tools to find answers to some of the most compelling problems facing the world today.