AN OVERVIEW OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF CLASSICAL AND MODERN GEODETIC REFERENCE SYSTEMS OF ALBANIA (1872 ÷ 2019)
(REFERENCAT GJEODEZIKE KLASIKE DHE MODERNE TË SHQIPËRISË (1872 ÷ 2019))
Many areas of science and respectively professions are today exposed to fast technology development. The result of this development are new technologies, methods, approaches and results. Certain professions, especially from the STEM area are more exposed to the changes which Digital revolution is bringing. Among them geo-related sciences and professions are strongly affected, and we are witnessing revolutionary changes in many fields of application, among which determination and surveying of fundamental geodetic networks is clear example. Satellite technologies for positioning and navigation, determination of Earth’s gravity, magnetic fields, and sea level enabled in past two decades tremendous breakthrough in determination of definition and determination of those networks. However, in this specific field, all new developments rely on previous works and therefore knowledge about the establishment and development of fundamental geodetic systems and networks in any country is necessary precondition for and new activities.
This monography, written by Dr. Bilbil Nurçe, represents a systematic and comprehensive overview of erection and development of fundamental geodetic networks in Albania from the very beginning in 1872 till presence. It is of great importance for the Albanian surveying and other geo professionals because it provides essential information for understanding how those networks have been established, what are their specificities, strengths and weaknesses. The value of this monography is not only that knowledge about the fundamental networks will be kept for future generations, but also about the fact that any future development of existing or new networks, which always rely on previous ones, will have reliable information about the existing networks and be able to choose best solution for an upgrade or new development. Monography is also valuable contribution for the study programs of geodesy and geoinformatics as well as related fields which are exposed to fast technology changes and struggle to deliver technology related courses, both theoretical and practical parts, on the level which business and public sector expect. Considering technologies implemented for resurvey of fundamental geodetic networks in past two decades we witness tremendous technology advance, new methods, approaches and solutions, which should also be implemented in teaching process.
This is the reason why Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) project „Business driven problem-based learning for academic excellence in geoinformatics”, executed from 2019 till end of 2022, published this monography. The GEOBIZ objective was to modernize curriculum of geoinformatics courses which are under influence of fast technology changes due to the digital revolution. Especially we have focused on practical part of those courses and recognizing importance of business-academic cooperation for modern higher education in technology driven courses. Aiming to deliver to students comprehensive modernized content of those courses, partner universities introduced changes also in theoretical part of modernized courses, among which were those covering technologies and methods implemented today for surveying and maintenance of fundamental geodetic systems and networks.
In mentioned context, Dr. Nurçe monography “Development of classic and modern geodetic reference systems of Albania (1872-2019)” represents valuable contribution to GEOBIZ project objectives and publishing it is one of the final project results. Therefore, it represents great pleasure for GEOBIZ project consortia that we can publish this monography which will benefit student, teachers and professionals in Albania.