QWAST‑GIS partners with Geo‑ICT Training Center to strengthen open‑source geospatial skills across Europe and beyond

19/05/2026

I'm excited to share a new collaboration that aligns perfectly with the mission of QWAST‑GIS: empowering professionals, organizations, and students with accessible, high‑quality open‑source GIS knowledge.

QWAST‑GIS and the Geo‑ICT Training Center are joining forces to bring the successful Dutch Geo‑ICT training model to a wider European audience. This partnership builds on a shared belief that the geospatial sector thrives when education, innovation, and open tools come together.

Why this collaboration matters

For more than 20 years, I've worked at the intersection of physical geography, GIS, remote sensing, and open science. Through QWAST‑GIS, I've focused on creating practical learning materials, from online courses and tutorials to books and hands‑on coaching, that help people apply open‑source GIS in real‑world contexts.

Geo‑ICT Training Center brings a complementary strength: a proven track record of preparing young professionals for the geospatial job market. Under the leadership of Anton Schutte, they've supported hundreds of graduates in building strong technical foundations and finding their place in the sector.

By combining our expertise, we aim to:

expand access to open‑source GIS training across Europe
support organizations transitioning to open geospatial workflows
strengthen the talent pipeline for the geospatial labour market
connect education, practice, and innovation in a meaningful way

What you can expect

Over the coming months, we'll be working together on:

blended learning programs that integrate QGIS, remote sensing, and open‑source geospatial tools
practical, scenario‑based training materials
international outreach to universities, public agencies, and companies
new opportunities for trainees, professionals, and organizations seeking to grow their GIS capacity

This partnership is a natural next step in scaling the open‑source geospatial ecosystem and I'm looking forward to the impact we can make together!