The University of the Philippines Geodetic Engineering Club (UP GE Club), established in 1937, is set to usher in a new era of collaboration and innovation with the launch of the redefined National Geodetic Engineering Summit (NatGES) on April 10–11, 2026. As the organization’s flagship national event, NatGES expands the long-running Geodetic Engineering Student Conference (GESC) into a more inclusive platform that brings together students, professionals, researchers, and institutions across the Philippines.
For years, GESC served as an annual nationwide gathering of Geodetic Engineering students to foster connections and discussions on developments, trends, and challenges in the field. With this transition, the UP GE Club broadens its vision to the entire geodetic engineering and geomatics community, strengthening collaboration in an ever-evolving landscape.
With this year’s theme, “National Geodetic Engineering Summit 2026: Beyond Boundaries, Into New Frontiers,” the summit aims to highlight innovations, opportunities, and emerging directions in the field, pushing the profession beyond its traditional boundaries and into interdisciplinary frontiers.
The two-day event will feature UP DGE Talk, a series of presentations from faculty members of the University of the Philippines Department of Geodetic Engineering, covering current research initiatives and advancements in geomatics. Alongside this is NatGES Talks, where professionals from corporate, government, and private sectors will share insights on how geodetic engineering extends across diverse industries and contributes to technological innovation and national development.
NatGES 2026 will also host a range of competitions designed to test participants’ skills across the discipline. These include a research colloquium, which gives students a platform to present their studies tackling relevant issues and innovations in the field. “GE Ka Na Ba? The National Quiz Show” will gather teams from various institutions in a battle of wits, challenging their knowledge of geodetic engineering concepts and applications.
Meanwhile, the Map Making and Presentation Competition will assess participants’ ability to analyze data and produce informative and innovative maps that reflect current trends in geomatics. Surveylympics will further showcase practical competencies through the Surveying Competition, which focuses on accuracy and efficiency in determining elevations, and the Instrument Setup Competition, which tests speed and precision in handling surveying equipment.
The event will also feature a Company Fair and Company Talks segment, where leading firms in geodetic engineering and geomatics will present their services, innovations, and career opportunities for aspiring professionals.
To conclude the summit, a Socials Night will bring together delegates for an evening of networking, camaraderie, and celebration, highlighted by the Mr. and Ms. GE segment, where selected participants will showcase their talents in a pageant.
Through NatGES 2026, the UP GE Club continues to uphold its legacy of excellence by providing a dynamic and inclusive platform that unites the community and drives it forward beyond boundaries and into new frontiers.
For more information and event updates, interested participants may contact the UP Geodetic Engineering Club on Facebook.
