SRINAGAR: Saniya Amin, a Master’s student at the Faculty of Forestry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), has been selected among the Top 10 winners across India under the Esri India Master’s Scholarships in GIS Programme 2026.
Saniya was awarded a one-time scholarship of Rs 1 lakh at the Esri India User Conference 2026, held on September 3 at Hotel Pullman, Aerocity, New Delhi.
Pursuing her Master’s degree under the supervision of Dr Akhlaq Amin Wani, Professor and Head of the Division of Natural Resource Management (NRM), Faculty of Forestry, Amin presented her research titled “Shallabugh Wetland Dynamics Using a GIS-Based Machine Learning Approach” as part of the national scholarship selection process.
Her research focused on applying advanced geospatial techniques to assess changes in the Shallabugh wetland ecosystem, earning her a place among the 10 scholars selected from across the country.
The Esri India Master’s Scholarships in GIS Programme supports final-year postgraduate students working in GIS, spatial modelling and remote sensing. Besides the financial award, the scholarship includes a complimentary one-year ArcGIS Personal Use License and a direct interview opportunity with Esri India, providing exposure to career opportunities in the geospatial technology sector.
SKUAST-K Vice Chancellor Prof N.A. Ganai congratulated Amin and her supervisor, saying the achievement reflected the importance of research, innovation, skill development and participation in competitive academic platforms.
Dean, Faculty of Forestry, Prof A.H. Mughal, also congratulated Amin and Dr Wani and appreciated the faculty’s efforts to encourage students to participate in national-level academic and professional programmes.
The other institutions represented among the Top 10 winners include the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (ISRO), IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, Symbiosis Institute of Geoinformatics, Azim Premji University, IIT Tirupati and IIT Ropar.
The achievement also underlines the growing role of GIS, remote sensing and spatial modelling in natural resource management and environmental research.
