URISA
launches the The GIS Certification Institute (GISCI) and
its GIS Certification Program goes live. URISA’s
Certification Committee was formed in 1999 and following
several years of discussion and thousands of hours of
work, including a comprehensive Pilot Program, the Committee
members finalized its portfolio-based certification program
in the summer of 2003. Along with a GIS Code of Ethics,
the program was adopted by the GIS Certification Institute
(GISCI) and is the basis for GIS Professional Certification.
GISCI is the certifying body that was created to manage
the program.
The first class of GISCI Certified Professionals (GISPs)
was announced at the URISA Annual Conference on 23 October
2003. These individuals were the successful applicants
from the GISCI Pilot Program who were invited to resubmit
after the program was finalized. All other GIS professionals
will be invited to submit applications starting on January
1, 2004.
The purpose of the GIS Certification Institute is to provide
those professionals who work in the field of geographic
information systems with a formal process that will:
| • |
Allow them to be recognized
by their colleagues and peers for having demonstrated
exemplary professional practice and integrity in
the field |
| • |
Establish and maintain high standards
of both professional practice and ethical conduct
|
| • |
Encourage aspiring GIS professionals
to work towards certification for the purpose of
professional development and advancement |
| • |
Encourage established GIS professionals
to continue to hone their professional skills and
ethical performance even as GIS technology changes
|
What is Certification?
| • |
Certification is career
recognition through the evaluation and approval
of individuals engaged in a specific occupation
or profession. Professional certification has |
| • |
Certification as a general practice
is offered by national membership associations representing
a particular career. |
| • |
Certification can provide recognition
and satisfaction for a life-time in a career activity.
Individuals can advance through various levels of
certification, receive honors and recognition, at
the same time improve their performance, and increase
customer or client satisfaction. |
| • |
Through preparation, instruction,
procedural guidelines, and ethics statements; individuals
with certification improve themselves and create
more productive careers. |
| • |
In addition, once certification is
received it can indicate certain capabilities to
clients and customers. |
| • |
Encourage established GIS professionals
to continue to hone their professional skills and
ethical performance even as GIS technology changes
|
For more information about the certification process
go to: www.gisci.org |
