The NIU department of geography is receiving more than $900,000 in software from a technology industry leader.

Alabama-based Intergraph Mapping and Geospatial Solutions is providing an education grant that includes mapping and geographic systems software (GIS) as well as technical support and licensing agreements.

“I was very happy to see this come about because I personally worked on this myself,” said Phil Young, an NIU research scientist in geography and Intergraph GIS project director. “The concern was getting this not just for the department, but for the university on the whole, because this can help everyone. By getting this grant, it’s gratifying to see that we will be able to have GIS software on campus for anyone who wants to use it.”

Young said that the grant will allow NIU to remain competitive with other universities.

“If we don’t continue to be on the leading edge of GIS, we are doing a disservice to the students who come here,” he said. “The students use this software in our classes. It’s very critical that we use this because it’s what the private businesses are using now. Our students need to compete with students from other universities.”

The software creates highly detailed electronic maps that have many applications ranging from topographical information to property tax records. The department is currently working on an interactive map of campus.

“Through your Web browser, you will be able to bring up an overhead map of campus and say, ‘Show me all the buildings on campus that have pay phones or computers,’ and you will get a complete display of what you asked for,” Young said.

The grant comes with some caveats.

NIU’s Advanced Geospatial Laboratory must conduct two research projects annually using Intergraph technology, and NIU will be designated as a “Team GeoMedia Registered Research Laboratory.”

“It’s not really selling out,” Young said. “The fact that we bear that name doesn’t mean we carry just their software. They are giving us something that we couldn’t afford to get on our own. We would be doing the research anyway. We consider ourselves software neutral. We don’t say one piece of software is better than another.”

Wei Luo, an assistant geography professor, said the relationship is mutually beneficial.

“It’s very good that we have a relationship with Intergraph,” he said. “One of the trends of the department is alliances with the industry, and our students get the benefits. They gain more flexibility when entering the job market.”

The software is available to all university students and faculty to do research for free. For information, call the geography department at 753-0633.