GIS Day 2026: 200 Students to Explore Geospatial Innovation
The Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing & Infrastructure (PLAHI), through the Lands & Survey Department, will host the GIS Day 2026 Student Forum on Wednesday, 18 November 2026, at the John Gray High School Gymnasium.
Organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Training, Department of Environment, Department of Planning and Hazard Management Cayman Islands, the forum will bring together approximately 200 secondary-school students from across the Cayman Islands.
The event will be held under the international GIS Day 2026 theme, “GIS: Powering Purpose and Innovation,” which recognises the innovators, problem-solvers and storytellers using geospatial technology to address real-world challenges and support meaningful change.
A Geographic Information System, commonly known as GIS, combines location-based information, maps and technology to reveal patterns, relationships and changes that may not be easily identified through traditional data alone.
In the Cayman Islands, GIS supports essential public services and national decision-making, including land registration and surveying, development planning, environmental monitoring, emergency preparedness, infrastructure planning and the management of hazards and natural resources.
Minister for Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing & Infrastructure, Hon. Johany “Jay” Ebanks, MP, said
“GIS is already an important part of how we manage land, plan our communities, protect our environment and prepare for emergencies, by introducing students to these tools, we are showing them that maps are not simply used for navigation. When combined with accurate data and innovative technology, they can help us understand challenges, make better decisions and plan responsibly for the future of our Islands. I also want our young Caymanians to recognise geospatial technology as a field in which they can build meaningful and rewarding careers.”
Students will learn how GIS, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies are creating new opportunities and influencing the future of work.
Interactive presentations and demonstrations delivered by GIS professionals from the public and private sectors will highlight practical applications in land administration, environmental stewardship, development planning, hazard management and geospatial artificial intelligence, commonly referred to as GeoAI.
The forum will also introduce students to the educational pathways, technical skills and career opportunities available within the growing geospatial sector.
The event will conclude with awards for the Story Map Photo Tour Competition and Map Gallery Competition, recognising outstanding student work in the Years 7–9 and Years 10–12 categories. Participating students will also have an opportunity to receive a one-year ArcGIS Personal Use licence to continue developing their GIS skills beyond the forum.
