New ESRI Development Center Program Established for Universities

March 20, 2008

ESRI has created a unique program for universities, designating particular departments in colleges nationwide as ESRI Development Centers (EDCs). This special status gives a qualifying department’s professors and students the ability to apply their area of expertise in the development of ESRI’s geographic information system (GIS) technology.

Faculty and Students Apply Their Expertise and Shape GIS Technology

Redlands, California-ESRI has created a unique program for universities, designating particular departments in colleges nationwide as ESRI Development Centers (EDCs). This special status gives a qualifying department’s professors and students the ability to apply their area of expertise in the development of ESRI’s geographic information system (GIS) technology. This recognition will be given to university departments that have exemplary programs focused on educating students to design and develop GIS applications using ESRI’s ArcGIS Desktop or ArcGIS Server technology.

From software engineering and information technology to geography, business, and education, departments of all disciplines can be granted the EDC title. Becoming an EDC not only gives the department’s GIS faculty and students the opportunity to develop applications and extensions beyond the current GIS platform, but the EDC status also gives them the chance to receive training in system integration and application development within a particular domain.

"Having an EDC on campus is an exceptional way for universities to work closely with their students and ESRI staff in shaping GIS technology,” says Jack Dangermond, ESRI president. “Students enrolled in these programs will be given special access to ESRI software as well as opportunities to be recognized for their accomplishments. The advancements made in EDCs will help create a GIS for tomorrow as well as solutions for today.”

Blending education and innovation, EDCs foster software development in system integration, applications within particular domains-such as gas and electricity-and additions to the ArcGIS product suite. By becoming an EDC, a higher education department will be able to do the following and more:

· Teach and develop state-of-the-art applications in a prototype lab.

· Get ESRI-provided training focused on the department’s academic specialty.

· Offer student recognition through an annual achievement award.

· Receive paid registration for up to two students or professors to the ESRI Developer Summit.

· Use the exclusive EDC logo on program materials.

An EDC can be housed in one department or be a multidisciplinary, stand-alone GIS center. Large universities need more than one EDC on a campus. The program will be announced in a special education session at the 2008 ESRI Developer Summit, March 17–20, in Palm Springs, California. To learn more about the EDC program benefits, qualifications, and application process, please visit www.esri.com/edc or e-mail highered@esri.com.

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