Willora Bandara from Sri Lanka

As a child, I used to express my feelings through drawings. Sometimes, I dreamed of an aircraft flying across the deep blue sky. I thought: That will be my life! Yes, now I am a technician − not only a technician but also a photo technician. I use my stereo instruments to survey the terrain, which is covered with trees, paddy fields, rivers, and many more things that I love to see. I can almost smell the crops and wildflowers. I think I chose the right career. Initially, I studied for my higher diploma in Photogrammetry, and then I got a degree in Computer Science. Last but not at least I completed my studies at ITC, and now I am a geo-information technician.

At ITC I met many students from many different countries, such as China, Africa, the UK, Spain, Nepal, India, Bhutan, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. They had different thoughts, religions and cultures, but when we came to ITC we felt we were one family. Together we went shopping, visited other countries, played many games … and learned a lot!

Aerial photographs can be used for many applications and in my individual final assignment I used them to carry out flood assessment. I found it very interesting and gained a good knowledge of hydrological models. Afterwards, I felt I needed more time at ITC to study these kinds of applications, as they can be used in the process of developing my country.

After graduation, I felt I knew all about geo-information science and information technology. In reality, however, I had to use my knowledge to gain experience in working with other staff members as a team. Although I realized I was just a beginner in this technology, I recognized the scope of my knowledge of geo-information science. Since then I have participated in many small projects that have achieved their targets.

I am now working in the Survey Department of my country, Sri Lanka. As a photogrammetric technician, I face challenges in acquiring data with good accuracy. I am now a map maker and therefore able to work with GIS. For the very first time, our department is building a complete GIS for our geographical data, and I work with GIS people in supporting the development of our geodatabase. I am a technician: I know what I have to do and what I can do. I select tasks of interest and use my knowledge with a feeling of great satisfaction.

In the future, I hope to build my own company to help in the development of my country. As a student of ITC, I am proud to say that the geo-information faculty of the University of Twente is the very best place to study and work with hands-on applications in geo-information science. I can recommend it without hesitation to any students who want to touch the natural globe with their bare hands.