MH
Sk. Mafizul Haque
Dept. of Geography
University of Calcutta
Who we are
The Geospatial Research Lab (GrL) is a non-profit, volunteer-driven platform where learning grows from curiosity, collaboration and selfless service to society.
GrL is a non-profit, volunteer-driven platform. We believe that real learning grows from curiosity, collaboration and selfless service to society — not from financial gain. We guide students to build scientific rigour and to use geospatial knowledge responsibly, for the benefit of people and the environment.
Remote sensing, satellite imaging and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have transformed environmental science, agriculture and urban planning. Yet advanced training and premium data are often out of reach for many students. The Geospatial Research Lab (GrL) was founded to close this gap.
Quality geoinformatics training, software guidance and research data are expensive and unevenly available. Many undergraduate and postgraduate students — especially in smaller towns and developing academic settings — miss out on skills that the modern job market demands.
GrL connects experienced researchers, university faculty and scientists with aspiring scholars in one inclusive, collaborative space — offering free guidance, open learning resources and hands-on workshops to anyone willing to learn.
We do more than teach students to handle coordinates and raster data. We place equal weight on ethics and integrity in scientific reporting, thesis writing and geospatial research — so that every map our learners make can be trusted.
The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.
Every learner moves through four connected stages, from first steps to real-world contribution:
Free resources, guides and workshops on RS, GIS and spatial thinking.
Hands-on lab and field work with real data and tools.
Mentored projects built on scientific rigour and honest data.
Using geospatial skills for communities and the environment.
We uphold academic integrity while building a collaborative and supportive community. Five values shape everything we do:
We help learners act responsibly in research — sharing knowledge, respecting intellectual property, and never plagiarising, falsifying location data or fabricating spatial datasets.
Learning should never depend on money, background or location. Our core resources and guidance are free and open to every learner.
We aim for depth, accuracy and practical skill — teaching not just which button to press, but why a method works and when to use it.
Students, scholars and senior academics learn together. Every learner is encouraged to help the next one in turn.
We promote transparent methods, proper citation of data and maps, and respect for privacy and for the communities we study.
Our commitment to excellence lies in creating new methods, adopting emerging technologies and delivering real, positive results.
Developing new geospatial methods, analytical frameworks and digital mapping approaches for emerging spatial challenges — from data collection and processing to modelling and visualisation. We combine scientific inquiry with technology to create new knowledge and practical solutions.
Bringing together GIS, remote sensing, drone mapping, spatial modelling, artificial intelligence and cloud platforms such as Google Earth Engine to build accurate, efficient and scalable solutions for environmental, social and infrastructure challenges.
Turning geospatial data into clear insights that support decisions in environmental management, urban and regional planning, disaster risk reduction, natural resource assessment, climate resilience and sustainable development — working with academic institutions, government agencies and industry partners for lasting benefit to society.
GrL is also guided by a panel of experienced mentors from institutions including IIT Bombay, the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (ISRO), the Geological Survey of India, and leading universities and colleges across West Bengal.
Our core learning resources and guidance carry no fee.
We help you learn to do the work; we never do it for you.
Every dataset and map is credited, and nothing is fabricated.
We protect privacy and treat every learner with dignity.
What we learn together, we use for the public good.
Join our workshops, use our free resources and get guidance on your coursework or research.
ExploreShare your expertise as a researcher, teacher or professional and help shape the next generation.
ExploreInstitutions, NGOs and agencies can collaborate with us on training, research and community projects.
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