The Summer School at ACRS 2025, hosted in partnership with Universitas Hasanuddin, offers a transformative five-day program designed to equip students and early-career professionals with mastery in cutting-edge remote sensing technologies. Combining rigorous academic training, hands-on practice, and professional networking, this intensive initiative prepares participants for impactful careers in sustainability and innovation. Set against the backdrop of Makassar’s vibrant research ecosystem, the program bridges theoretical knowledge with real-world applications, fostering a new generation of geospatial leaders poised to address global challenges.

Participants will engage with globally recognized researchers and professors through lectures that explore the frontiers of remote sensing. These sessions delve into AI-driven satellite analytics, where machine learning models are applied to tasks like land cover classification and climate modeling, enabling precise predictions of environmental changes. The curriculum also covers hyperspectral imaging techniques for mineral exploration and marine ecosystem monitoring, revealing hidden patterns in complex datasets. Practical insights into UAV integration emphasize best practices for drone-based data collection in forestry and disaster response, while discussions on ethical geospatial practices address critical issues such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and environmental justice, ensuring participants develop a balanced approach to technology deployment.

The program’s workshops immerse participants in practical skill development using tools like QGIS, ENVI, and Google Earth Engine. Through projects such as urban heat island mapping and deforestation tracking, attendees gain proficiency in analyzing spatial data to derive actionable insights. Field training at Losari Beach introduces DJI Matrice 300 drones for coastal erosion assessment, teaching participants to capture and process high-resolution aerial imagery. Advanced modules on cloud computing platforms like AWS and Google Cloud demonstrate how to deploy AI models for large-scale data processing, equipping attendees with scalable solutions for environmental monitoring.

A dedicated day at the Maros-Pangkep UNESCO Global Geopark provides hands-on experience in one of Southeast Asia’s most ecologically significant landscapes. Participants conduct spectral analysis of karst formations, studying geological and biodiversity patterns, while collaborative group projects tackle real-world challenges like soil degradation and biodiversity loss. This fieldwork underscores the practical application of remote sensing in conservation, offering a unique opportunity to engage with UNESCO’s sustainability goals in a dynamic, real-world setting.

The Summer School fosters professional growth through networking sessions with AARS members, industry leaders like Planet Labs and Esri, and faculty from Universitas Hasanuddin. Career panels illuminate diverse pathways in academia, industry, and policymaking, while workshops on grant writing and publishing in top journals provide strategic career guidance. Personalized portfolio reviews offer constructive feedback on research proposals or technical projects, refining participants’ readiness for impactful roles in the geospatial sector.

The curriculum is deeply rooted in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with case studies highlighting peatland restoration in Indonesia, coral reef conservation in the Coral Triangle, and smart agriculture techniques for Southeast Asian smallholders. These modules demonstrate how remote sensing technologies can drive equitable and sustainable development, empowering participants to align their work with global environmental and social priorities.