Students enrolled in a new two-year diploma in Land Information Systems will have a state-of-the-art computer lab and the latest in computer software and technology to work with when they start classes in September, thanks to new provincial funding for information and communication technology training across Alberta.

     Olds College received $613,000 for the creation of their Land Information Systems program, the computer lab and needed software. An intake of 15 students is planned for September, with this number rising to 30 in 2001.

     The program, meant to complement existing programs and courses in Land Resource Management, Land Agent, Composting and Precision Farming, will include courses in state-of-the-art Geographic Information and Global Positioning Systems, Computer-aided Drafting and Design, Precision Farming and Land Administration Software technology. Students will receive theory and practice in information systems technology related to land evaluation, planning and management. The computer lab will provide these students with the latest computer software for data inputting, processing, analysis and application.

     "This is a unique program," says Dr. Bob Lockwood, vice-president of Academic Services at Olds College. "It builds on our excellence for training in environmental land management. It also fills a vacuum in the province's post-secondary system. Alberta's environment, agriculture, energy and utilities, forestry, surveying and regional and municipal land management sectors are looking for people with these skills and a recent survey of potential employers indicates our graduates will be extremely employable."

     Graduates from this program can transfer into the University of Lethbridge's two-year post diploma degree program in Geographic Information Systems, and can then continue in a Masters level program at the University of Calgary.

     For more information on the program, please contact Olds College at (403) 556-8281.