GIS is a technology that is used to create, manage, analyze, and map all types of data. GIS Days showcases how GIS is transforming disciplines from climate change research and campus planning to health studies, Indigenous data sovereignty and sustainability initiatives.

Whether you’re new to GIS or an expert, GIS Days offer you the chance to learn more about geography and mapping technology, engage with real-world spatial data and learn directly from experts.

Virtual GIS Days

On Nov 17, 18 and 20, GIS Days will feature virtual presentations from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CST. Feel free to pop in and out of the Zoom space whenever works for you.

Explore the world of digital maps and GIS through:

• 7-minute lightning talks
• 20-minute demonstrations
• 1-hour tutorials
• Asynchronously exploring our map gallery
• Dropping in to one of our networking events
• Participating in a hybrid geography-themed trivia event November 19 at 6:00 p.m. CST. Join with a team or join as an individual and be assigned to a team. There will be lots of prizes!

Register to participate in GIS Days online.

In-person GIS Days: Manitoba GIS User Group Fall Conference

As part of GIS Days, attend the Manitoba GIS User Group’s Annual Fall Conference on Wednesday, November 19, hosted at UM and supported by UM Libraries.

This year’s conference is a full day of in-person programming that will:

• highlight the wide-ranging and exceptional work of our GIS community
• connect individuals and organizations that share an interest in GIS technology,
• and continue to develop the field of GIS within Manitoba through networking opportunities and student engagement.

UM Libraries is supporting this year’s conference to facilitate community, connection and experiential learning for students.

Tickets are $75 for professionals and $10 for students. If you are interested in attending for free with your class, contact manitobagis@gmail.com.

Register for the conference.

1. UM Student GIS scholarship recognizes the work being done using GIS technologies at UM.
2. Esri Young Scholar for Canada recognizes the exemplary work in geospatial sciences of undergraduate and graduate students at universities around the world.

 UM Student GIS scholarship

• Eligibility: Graduate or undergraduate capstone/thesis students in any faculty at UM.
• Application requirements: Personal statement, summary and sample of work being completed using Esri technology (e.g., PDF of a map or poster, online StoryMap or other digital products). 
• Deadline: April 18, 2025, 12 p.m. CST for package submission to umlgis@umanitoba.ca
• Process: After the deadline, a multidisciplinary committee at the university will review submission packages. If you are a successful candidate, you will need to submit a poster and a short report to ESRI Canada in order to receive the award. You are encouraged to submit the report as an ArcGIS StoryMap. 
• Scholarship award: $1500 cash bursary, software, books, access to e-learning courses through the Esri Training site, Esri Canada instructor-led training, complimentary registration at one of Esri Canada’s User Conferences and more.

Visit the scholarship FAQ for more details.

 Esri Young Scholar for Canada

• Eligibility: Any student enrolled full-time in an undergraduate or graduate program at a Canadian college or university. 
• Application requirements: 
  • A poster that highlights the objectives, methods and results of your use of Esri technology. 
  • A story map that explains the work presented in the poster. 
  • A personal statement describing your experience with GIS and your future plans using GIS. 
  • Academic transcripts for all post-secondary education.

• Deadline: March 19, 2025, 8 p.m. EDT to https://arcg.is/vnbHW 
• Process: After the deadline, applications are reviewed by a panel comprising academic and business members, and judging criteria include content as well as design and presentation. 
• Scholarship awards: 1^st Place: Complimentary registration for the Education Summit @ Esri UC and Esri User Conference; airfare to and from San Diego; hotel and per diem for their stay in San Diego; an acrylic award; and an ArcGIS for Personal Use license. Up to two (2) additional bursaries of $500 and Esri Press eBooks may be awarded to meritorious students at the discretion of the judges.

Visit the competition FAQ for more details.

Construction for UM Libraries new Digital Scholarship Commons began Monday, September 16, and will continue until Spring 2025. The facility is being built on the main floor of the Elizabeth Dafoe Library, close to the main entrance. The library will remain open throughout construction and the Starbucks will be accessible through another entryway.

The Digital Scholarship Commons is an exciting new collaborative space for research and interactive learning, with a focus on geographic information systems (GIS) and data visualization. The space will include state-of-the art technology, such as a large data visualization wall, video conferencing, and programmable sound and lighting. The Digital Scholarship Commons will serve as a dynamic learning environment to support the development of data visualization skills among students, faculty, and staff, and will encourage researchers to explore and communicate their findings in innovative ways.

While there may be some construction noise on the main floor of the Elizabeth Dafoe Library, the Libraries is making every effort to keep excessive noise to a minimum. Quieter study zones are available on the second and third floors of Dafoe, and in other campus libraries.

XR Lab construction begins early October

XR Lab construction is set to begin this Fall, occupying a current first-floor computer lab space. Students can access computers in the Gold Lab around the corner as well as from the library’s Laptop Lending Locker.

The XR Lab is designed to bring learning to life using virtual reality (VR) and other immersive technologies. The Lab will include four VR workstations, along with access to a collection of virtual reality apps and programs for teaching, learning and research.

The XR Lab and its VR capabilities can enhance learning and research by allowing users to dive into an interactive environment, engage with different perspectives in ways textbooks cannot, and enhance collaboration and engagement with others by sharing virtual explorations in real time.

Learn more about how UM Libraries supports learning, teaching, and research.

Parinaz is a Master of Natural Resources Management (MNRM) student at the University of Manitoba, supervised by Dr. Shirley Thompson. Her thesis project focused on redesigning an urban space to make it safe and secure for people as a public place. Within the scope of her thesis for a degree in Natural Resources Management, Parinaz engaged with the Pinawa, Manitoba community to undertake a project aimed at enhancing the infrastructure for active transportation. This endeavor was to encourage a more active lifestyle — a more enhanced quality of living in Pinawa.

Parinaz’s GIS story map, titled “Green and Active Transportation Planning: Pinawa, Manitoba,” is part of her research to visually document and analyze the impacts of this initiative, further enriching the academic and practical insights into the project’s contributions to active transportation and community development.  The story map comprises six different interactive maps and highlights the need for transportation transition. All work was completed using the tools available under the University of Manitoba’s GIS Hub, managed by Meg Miller through UM Libraries.

By focusing on the increase of non-motorized forms of transportation, Parinaz’s project aimed to consider how communities plan their public spaces and infrastructure and contribute to both the physical and mental well-being of the community members. Moreover, it aligns with the broader objectives of sustainability, assisting in the transformation of Pinawa into a vibrant community committed to environmental stewardship.

For over a decade now, Esri in cooperation with its international distributors, has recognized the exemplary mapping work of students through the Esri Young Scholars Award. The applications received from students in Canada each year reflect the diverse applications and research fields where geographic information systems (GIS) are used- from natural to built environments, historical landscapes, transportation, healthcare access, and many others.

Parinaz’s story maps, along with a selection of others, can be viewed in Canada’s 2024 Esri Young Scholars Award story map collection. Information for the 2025 competition will be released in early 2025.

The two exciting opportunities are the UM Student GIS scholarship and the Esri Young Scholar for Canada award. Read on for more information.

UM Student GIS scholarship

The UM Student GIS scholarship recognizes the work being done using GIS technologies at UM.

• Eligibility: Graduate or undergraduate capstone/thesis students in any faculty at UM.
• Application requirements: Personal statement, summary and sample of work being completed using Esri technology (e.g., PDF of a map or poster, online StoryMap or other digital products).
• Deadline: April 12, 2024, 12 p.m. CST for package submission to umlgis@umanitoba.ca
• Process: After the deadline, a multidisciplinary committee at the university will review submission packages. If you are a successful candidate, you will need to submit a poster and a short report to ESRI Canada to receive the award. You are encouraged to submit the report as an ArcGIS StoryMap.
• Scholarship award: $1000 cash bursary, software, books, access to e-learning courses through the Esri Training site, Esri Canada instructor-led training, and complimentary registration at one of Esri Canada’s User Conferences.

Visit the scholarship FAQ for more details.

Esri Young Scholar for Canada

The Esri Young Scholar for Canada award recognizes the exemplary work in geospatial sciences of undergraduate and graduate students at universities around the world. It offers a fully paid trip to San Diego and complimentary registration for the 2024 Education Summit @ Esri UC and Esri User Conference taking place in summer.

• Eligibility: Any student enrolled full-time in an undergraduate or graduate program at a Canadian college or university.
• Application requirements:
  • Application form
  • A poster that highlights the objectives, methods and results of your use of Esri technology.
  • A story map that explains the work presented in the poster.
  • A personal statement describing your experience with GIS and your future plans using GIS.
  • Academic transcripts for all post-secondary education.
• Deadline: March 25, 2024, 5 p.m. EDT
• Process: After the deadline, applications are reviewed by a panel comprising academic and business members, and judging criteria include content as well as design and presentation.
• Scholarship awards: 1st Place: Complimentary registration for the Education Summit @ Esri UC and Esri User Conference; airfare to and from San Diego; hotel and per diem for their stay in San Diego; an acrylic award; and an ArcGIS for Personal Use license. Up to two (2) additional bursaries of $500 and Esri Press eBooks may be awarded to meritorious students at the discretion of the judges.

Visit the competition FAQ for more details.

UM Libraries continues to partner with Western University and other organizations to offer free in-person and virtual mapping events, including lightning talks, workshops, a map gallery, and Trivia Night. Check out the interactive program.

Virtual GIS Days

November 13, 14 and 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (come and go as you please).

Vote for your favourite maps in our map gallery, and your favourite lightning talk presentations. Network within our GIS Days Slack channel, or drop in to one of our tutorial sessions. Presentation topics range from mapping natural disasters to Canadian suburbs, from putting cows on the map to narrative travel in the Canterbury tales.

Register here for virtual sessions

In-person GIS Days

November 15, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Archives Classroom (Third floor of Elizabeth Dafoe Library, University of Manitoba).

Bring your lunch, meet your peers, and join our panel discussions. We hope to spark a conversation with this event and welcome all questions and discussions.

Please register in advance due to limited seating.

• Panel 1: Faculty members from across campus will discuss their research, how they integrate GIS into their teaching, gaps in support on campus, and research assistant needs.
• Panel 2: Alumni working in GIS and students who are currently working on GIS projects as RAs or TAs. They will discuss their experiences, offer advice on tools and workflows, and share any support gaps they encountered.

Hybrid trivia event

November 16, starts at 6:00 p.m.

This event will be held virtually via Zoom and also in-person at the Western University Grad Club. There will be lots of prizes available. All are welcome.

What is GIS Days?

GIS Days offer you the chance to learn more about geography, mapping and real-world applications of GIS that impact our communities. Drop in and out depending on what presentations pique your interest and listen to presenters from around the world.

Who can attend?

Everyone from anywhere in the world is welcome to attend GIS Days, whether you’re a high school student, university staff, faculty, graduate, undergraduate or community member, technically inclined or not.

Happy mapping!

1. UM Student GIS scholarship recognizes the work being done using GIS technologies at UM.
2. Esri Young Scholar for Canada recognizes the exemplary work in geospatial sciences of undergraduate and graduate students at universities around the world.

UM Student GIS scholarship

Eligibility: 

Graduate or undergraduate capstone/thesis students in any faculty at UM.

Application requirements: 

Personal statement, summary and sample of work being completed using Esri technology (e.g., PDF of a map or poster, online StoryMap or other digital products). 

Deadline:

April 16, 2023, 12 p.m. CST for package submission to umlgis@umanitoba.ca 

Process:

After the deadline, a multidisciplinary committee at the university will review submission packages. If you are a successful candidate, you will need to submit a poster and a short report to ESRI Canada in order to receive the award. You are encouraged to submit the report as an ArcGIS StoryMap. 

Scholarship award:

$900 cash bursary, software, books, access to Esri training and complimentary registration at one of Esri Canada’s User Conferences. 

Visit the scholarship FAQ for more details.

Esri Young Scholar for Canada

Eligibility: 

Any student enrolled full-time in an undergraduate or graduate program at a Canadian college or university. 

Application requirements:  

• A poster that highlights the objectives, methods and results of your use of Esri technology. 
• A story map that explains the work presented in the poster. 
• A personal statement describing your experience with GIS and your future plans using GIS. 
• Academic transcripts for all post-secondary education. 

Deadline:

Friday, March 31, 2023, 5 p.m. EDT to https://arcg.is/TP5Gn 

Process:

After the deadline, applications are reviewed by a panel comprising academic and business members, and judging criteria include content as well as design and presentation. 

Scholarship awards:

1st Place: $1500 bursary, 2nd Place: $1000 bursary, up to two additional bursaries of $500 and Esri Press eBooks may be awarded, International scope. 

Visit the competition FAQ for more details.

UM Libraries has collaborated with Western University and other organizations to organize GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Days, which offer you the chance to learn more about geography, mapping and real-world applications of GIS that impact our communities. Drop in and out depending on what presentations pique your interest and listen to presenters from around the world.  

Who can attend?

Everyone from anywhere in the world is welcome to attend GIS Days, whether you’re faculty, graduate, undergraduate, a university staff, high school student or community member.

Not technical? That’s okay, presentations will be offered by a variety of speakers ranging from GIS professionals to GIS newbies. Short lightning talks (7-min) offer you a quick taste of a topic, while longer demonstrations (20-min) provide a deeper dive into a GIS project. 

What can I learn?

It’s your chance to:

• Check out the latest digital mapping technology
• Discover how to take advantage of mapping technology in your research, education, or your next job interview 
• Draw for virtual door prizes 
• Network and win prizes at the hybrid trivia evening 

 What is the schedule?

Visit our GIS Days event page and check out the schedule.

• Virtually: November 14 – 18, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Come and go from the Zoom room as you please, you just need to register to get a link for each day.
• At UM Libraries: November 14 – 18, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Drop by the Co-Lab on 1^st floor, Elizabeth Dafoe Library with headphones to listen to the Zoom stream or ask Meg Miller (GIS Librarian) your map related questions. Limited map related swag will be available each day.
• Trivia: November 16, 6:30 p.m. Join with a team, or let us put you in a team with other conference attendees. Questions will be streamed via the Twitch channel, and team answers will be collected via the Trivia Discord. Lots of prizes up for grabs.

What are the presentations?

Presenters are from Scotland, Australia, California and across Canada (Including some of our own from the University of Manitoba!). Presentation topics range from mapping natural disasters to social geography of heart transplant care, from visualizing 15^th century women to mapping traditional land use. Explore the interactive program to see what presentations are on offer.

How to join?

Register for each day to receive the Zoom links and updates. Join virtually in Zoom or in-person Zoom viewing at the Co-Lab on 1^st floor, Elizabeth Dafoe Library.

A geographic information system (GIS) is a computer system for capturing, storing, checking, and displaying data related to positions on Earth’s surface. By relating seemingly unrelated data, GIS can help individuals and organizations better understand spatial patterns and relationships.

Submission requirements

At the University of Manitoba our criteria are:

• Eligibility: Graduate or undergraduate capstone/thesis students in any faculty
• Application requirements: Personal statement, summary and sample of work completed using ESRI technology (e.g. PDF of a map or poster, on-line story map or other digital products)
• Deadline: May 15, 2022  for package submission to umlgis [at] umanitoba [dot] ca

After the May 15^th deadline, a multidisciplinary committee will review submission packages. If you are the successful candidate, you will need to submit a poster and a short report to ESRI Canada in order to receive the award. You are encouraged to submit the report as an ArcGIS StoryMap.

ESRI poster and report submission details

ESRI also provides links to previous successful scholarship applicant profiles where you can see sample projects.

Scholarship award

The award includes (but is not limited to):

• A one-time payment of $900
• A three-year term license of ESRI’s ArcGIS Pro software for education and research use
• A three-year Professional-level subscription to the ArcGIS Developer Program (ADP)
• Two ESRI Canada instructor-led training courses
• Registration for one of ESRI Canada’s User Conferences

Visit the Scholarship FAQ Page for more details or contact umlgis [at] umanitoba [dot] ca.

Submission requirements

At the University of Manitoba our criteria are:

• Eligibility: Graduate or undergraduate capstone/thesis students in any faculty
• Application Requirements: Personal statement, summary and sample of work completed using ESRI technology saved as a .pdf
• Deadline: April 15, 2021  for package submission to umlgis@umanitoba.ca

After the April 15^th deadline, a multidisciplinary committee will review submission packages. If you are the successful candidate, you will need to submit a poster and a short report to ESRI Canada in order to receive the award. You are encouraged to submit the report as an ArcGIS StoryMap (but this is not critical).

ESRI poster and report submission details

ESRI also provides links to previous successful scholarship applicant profiles where you can see sample projects.

Scholarship Award

The award includes (but is not limited to):

• A one-time payment of $900
• A three-year term license of ESRI’s ArcGIS Pro software for education and research use
• A three-year Professional-level subscription to the ArcGIS Developer Program (ADP)
• Two ESRI Canada instructor-led training courses (these can cost upwards of $1000 apiece)
• Registration for one of ESRI Canada’s User Conferences

Visit the Scholarship FAQ Page for more details or contact umlgis@umanitoba.ca.