The ISPRS Student Consortium (SC) was established in 2004 at the ISPRS Congress in Istanbul, mainly to give youth a platform for developing their own activities, scientific and social, and become better represented and integrated within the Society. Since, the ISPRS SC has developed very positively, a shining example for other Societies in Geomatics.

During the last ISPRS Congress in Beijing in July 2008 the SC ran its own scientific and social programme, called Youth Forum, and its own exhibition stand. The consortium made contact with both students and established professionals, distributed its own PR material, and established its own organisational structure and Statutes, which were approved by the ISPRS Council.

The SC is governed by a Board, which is elected by the young for the young. To ensure continuity and advice, ISPRS Council has since 2004 had a dedicated Working Group (WG) which works with the SC. I am happy to be currently chairing this. I have also acted as Council/SC liaison for the term 2004-2008. The SC, aided by ISPRS Council, ISPRS Foundation and other sponsors, initiates various events such as Summer Schools, Workshops and Tutorials, with an eye to organising activities in poorer countries and regions where students lack adequate financial resources to participate in scientific events.

The Student Consortium website (See 1) provides a portal and useful information for the young, while additional information on jobs, educational and other opportunities is distributed via email to consortium members; currently more than 130 from about forty countries. Educational material from, for example, Summer Schools, is available at the aforementioned or ISPRS website (See 2).

The SC publishes its own quarterly newsletter, also accessed via the website. PR material such as posters and brochures is ready or being prepared. The SC is also participating in international student events such as the International Geodetic Student Meetings (IGSM) and other geomatics-related student gatherings, and organises activities during events held by ISPRS Regional Members, like the Asian Association for Remote Sensing and Selper in Latin America. Additional activities are planned for the period leading up to the next ISPRS Congress in Melbourne in 2012.

If you are a student or young professional interested in the goals of the SC, please visit the website, get in contact and become an active member.