Quddus Busari honored for advancing geospatial solutions in environmental monitoring
The European Association of Aerial Surveying Industries (EAASI) is proud to announce Quddus Busari as the winner of its inaugural Outstanding Thesis Award "Spatial Business Bridge." His Master's thesis, "Building and Validating AI Machine Learning Algorithms for Tree Structure Characterisation from High-Resolution Aerial Images and LiDAR Data," presented at the University of Leicester, UK, exemplifies the award's mission to bridge technical innovation with practical business applications.
Busari's research, conducted in collaboration with Bluesky International Limited, addresses a crucial industry need by developing advanced AI algorithms to enhance the National Tree Map (NTM) product. The thesis demonstrates innovation in combining aerial surveying technology with artificial intelligence to improve tree species identification and classification.
Mr. Busari will have the opportunity to present his thesis at the EAASI Partner Summit 2024 in Athens, Greece, and discuss the topic with the leaders of the European Aerial Surveying industries.
"Mr. Busari's work perfectly embodies the spirit of our Outstanding Thesis Award," said EAASI President Florian Romanowski. "His research not only advances the technical capabilities of our industry but also delivers tangible business value through practical applications in environmental monitoring and mapping services."
The winning thesis emerged from an industrial MPhil project funded by the European Regional Development Fund and was supervised by Professor Ivan Tyukin from Mathematics and Professor Kevin Tansey from Geography at the University of Leicester. The research directly addressed industry needs by developing methods to distinguish between deciduous and coniferous trees and extract species information from aerial data.
“Winning the EAASI Outstanding Thesis Award is a significant milestone in my career. This recognition affirms my commitment to addressing environmental challenges through innovative use of technology and highlights EAASI’s dedication to rewarding impactful research. Working with Bluesky International Ltd. allowed me to bridge research and industry needs, developing tools that support sustainable decision-making. I’m grateful for the opportunity to develop cutting-edge solutions to real-world challenges, and this award motivates me to continue advancing environmental science with AI” expressed Mr. Busari.
As the recipient of this award, he will receive:
A €2,000 cash prize
Full coverage to attend the annual EAASI Partner Summit
A certificate of recognition and trophy
Inclusion in EAASI's "Hall of Fame"
Publication of his work in a suitable business journal
EAASI Secretary General Marcos Martinez-Fernandez added, "The selection panel was particularly impressed by how Mr. Busari's work demonstrates the commercial viability of advanced geospatial analysis. His research shows how aerial surveying can create significant economic value while contributing to environmental understanding."
The selection panel for the inaugural edition brought together a blend of expertise from industry leaders, academic authorities, and experienced national mapping professionals: Uwe Bacher, Technical Director RC Sensor to Solution, Hexagon; Seppe Cassettari, Chief Executive Officer, GeoSimulations Ltd and former President of the British Cartographic Society; Javier Matesanz, Deputy Director of Cartography and Territory Observation at the Instituto Geográfico Nacional, Spain and Jan Skaloud, Professor and Senior Scientist, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL).
Currently a Doctoral Researcher at Newcastle University working with Fera Science Limited, Busari continues to push the boundaries of remote sensing technologies for tree health monitoring systems. His interdisciplinary background in Surveying, Geoinformatics, and Applied GIS, combined with his focus on practical industry applications, represents the next generation of innovation in aerial surveying.
The award emphasizes EAASI's commitment to fostering connections between academia and industry while promoting innovation in aerial surveying applications. This inaugural award sets a high standard for future submissions and highlights the industry's dynamic evolution at the intersection of technology and business. This initiative is part of the activities organized by the Student and University Engagement Committee led by Simon Musaeus.
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