Students of the Hydrographic Surveying programme at the Institute of Maritime Studies, University of Lagos (IMS-UNILAG), have just completed a five-day practical field training in collaboration with Compass Survey Limited.
The programme was designed to strengthen students’ exposure to contemporary hydrographic and geospatial surveying practices.
A major highlight was hands-on experience with the company’s newly acquired Compass Surveyor L42 Uncrewed Survey Vehicle (USV), an advanced marine survey platform designed for remotely operated and programmed hydrographic data acquisition.
During the training, students received both theoretical and practical instruction in:
- Bathymetric data collectionGlobal Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and positioning
- Marine geospatial data acquisitionSurvey planning and mission execution
- Remote vessel operation and monitoring
- Data quality control and assurance
- Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) in marine operations
The students were also exposed to the full workflow of collecting, processing, and interpreting hydrographic data for applications in navigation, engineering, environmental management, and offshore energy projects.
This collaboration underscores the value of strong University-Industry partnerships in bridging the gap between classroom learning and professional practice.The initiative is particularly timely as IMS advances preparations for its Hydrographic Surveying programme towards International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) Category A recognition.
Beyond granting students access to industry experts, modern equipment, and real-world survey operations, the training reaffirms UNILAG’s commitment to delivering learning experiences that combine academic excellence with relevant professional and technological skills, while strengthening strategic partnerships with industry.
