GIS Team Crowned Champions of 2026 National Geomatics Competition

The SFU GIS team of Mussaab Manzer, Solange Saucier and Jeffrey Collinson won the 2026 National Geomatics Competition (NGC) held at McMaster University during the reading break. They also won the Geography Scavenger Hunt that occurred throughout the event.

The NGC is a student-led competition in the field of geomatics engineering that brings together students, academia and industry professionally from across Canada. This year 16 teams were in the competition. Our winning team had to find the GIS solution that involved the design and development of a Geospatial Model for Park and Ride Optimization using suitability maps, transit analysis using an Open Street Map routing engine, and data-informed case studies with mobility maps. Their 15min presentation can be viewed on YouTube.

This year marks a historic milestone since SFU was being represented at the NGC for the very first time. The SFU team’s achievement reflects the high quality of the GIS, Geography and Environmental programs within the Faculty of Environment (FENV) where rigorous training, critical thinking, applied learning and problem-solving prepare students to make meaningful contributions. This year success adds to previous achievements of our student winners at similar GIS competitions such as Esri Canada App Challenge and Young Scholars Award demonstrating our students’ sustained excellence in the field of GIS and geospatial technologies.

The SFU team participation at NGC was wholeheartedly supported with funds from the Faculty of Environment, Department of Geography, Geography Student Union and Simon Fraser Student Society.

Congratulations Mussaab, Solange and Jeffrey!