REFERENCE FRAMES IN PRACTISE
Learn about the latest developments and trends impacting the world of
geodetic reference frames and the numerous satellite-based technologies
and processing capabilities.
Date: Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May
Time: Saturday full day, Sunday 9:00-12:00
Location: Capetonian Hotel
Fee: 1,700 ZAR (approximately 85 EUR)
Includes: tea and coffee, lunch on Saturday. Morning tea on Sunday
Objective
The main focus is on geodetic reference frames in general with a
specific focus on UN initiatives, global and regional frames as well
selected national case studies.
Who attends
The technical seminar is aimed at surveyors, spatial professionals,
students and operational geodesists who are interested in learning more
about practical aspects of reference frames from some of the world’s
leading geodesists and geodetic surveyors.
Programme
The organisers would like to thank and acknowledge the following
sponsor for their generous support of this event:
| Saturday 23 May 2026 |
| 9:00 - 9:15 |
Opening Remarks and Group Photo
Dr. Ryan Keenan, Chair, FIG Commission 5; TBD, Local Organizing
Committee |
| 9:15 - 10:15 |
Session 1: International Geodesy Initiatives
- International Committee on GNSS (ICG) at the UN Ms.
Sharafat Gadimova, United Nations Office for Outer Space
Affairs
- International Association of Geodesy (IAG) TBD,
International Association of Geodesy
- International GNSS Service (IGS) TBD, IGS Central Bureau
- United Nations – Global Geodetic Centre of Excellence
(UN-GGCE) TBD, UN-GGCE
|
| 10:15 - 10:45 |
Break |
| 10:45 - 12:30 |
Session 2: Introduction to Geodetic Reference Frames
- GGOS Africa Initiative Dr Aletha De Witt, Department of
Science and Innovation, South Africa
- Introduction to geoids and vertical reference systems Dr
Siphiwe Mphuthi, University of Cape Town, South Africa
- Dynamic Datums
and Deformation Models Dr. Chris Pearson, Trimble & University
of Otago, New Zealand
- Transformations and Datum Grids TBD
South Africa
- Transformations between global (eg ITRF) and
local datums
- Uncertainty in transformation parameters
|
| 12:30 - 14:00 |
Lunch |
| |
|
| 14:00 - 17:00 |
Session 3: Practical Implications and Applications for CORS
& GNSS Processing
- Datum Transformations Practical Examples (45 minutes)
Invited
presentations from several countries covering their challenges
and methodologies for datum transformations, for example Kenya,
Mozambique, Angola, Uganda, South Africa
- CORS Monumentation
(45 minutes) Mr. John Galetzka, National Geodetic Survey, USA
(Pre-recorded)
- Managing GNSS Infrastructure and Data (1
hour)
- Using South Africa’s TrigNet as an example
- Updating
and archiving station logs
- Physical reference points ● Value
of eccentric/witness marks
- Configuration of systems, managing
data files, data flows; both static and real-time
- Incorporating GNSS CORS data into cadastral surveys (examples
from various vendors)
- Sponsor Presentation (15 mins)
|
| Sunday 24 May 2026 |
| 09:00 - 10:30 |
Session 4: National Reference Frames in Africa
- Country Reports Reports from African countries
represented at the technical seminar
|
| 10:30 - 10:45 |
Break |
| 10:45 - 12:00 |
Session 5: Reference Frames in Africa continued
- AFREF Latest Developments (15 mins) Fernand Bale, Chair,
UNGGIM Africa Committee
- AFREF Discussion Panel (1 hour) Chair, Fernand Bale,
Chair, UNGGIM Africa Committee
- Value of AFREF for Africa
- Ways to engage and commit
- Turning ideas into action
- How to make authoritative information on national
reference frames more readily available
|
Organiser
FIG Commission 5 on Measurement and Positioning in cooperation with
UNOOSA ICG, IGS, UN-GGCE
SDGs involved
