The origin of SPARK lies in the foundation of Computer Lab. of the Department of Geography laid by the Former Chairman of the Department of Geography(Prof. Dr. Iqtidar H. Zaidi), Karachi University in 1987. Since its inception SPARK has strong presence in the field of Spatial Analysis.
The formal foundation of the lab. took a scientific shape when Dr. Kazmi returned from USA after his Post-Doc term from University of Georgia(UGA), Athens (USA).
Dr. Syed Jamil H. Kazmi, is a Meritorious Professor and Director (Quality Enhancement Cell). He is the former Chairman (twice) of the Department of Geography and Ex-Director of ISPA, University of Karachi, Karachi. He received his Doctoral Degree in Geography from University of Karachi (1997) and completed his Post-Doctoral term from University of Georgia, Athens under the Senior Fulbright Scholarship Program 1998-99. Recently, Prof. Kazmi has completed a Senior DAAD Research Fellow term at the Department of Geography, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany in 2018-19. more
He has published extensively in journals of international repute in the area of his research interests such as the application of Geo-informatics in environmental modeling and disease ecology. He has more than 115 publications on his credit including four books (publications could be access via researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jamil_Kazmi2, Highest Impact Factor and Citations, amongst Pakistani Professors of Geography). Currently, he is the Editor of five International Journals of Geography, Ecology and Geo-Informatics. Currently, Prof. Kazmi is the President of Pakistan Geographical Association (PGA), he holds the office of PGA as President from 2008-2013 as well. He was also the President of South Asian Chapter of Society of Urban Ecology (Austria) from 2017-2019. Remain member of Association of American Geographers (AAG). He is active worker serving both the communities of Geography and Ecology around the Globe. As a Professor he has produced 29 PhDs and 14 MPhils in Geography, Ecology, Environmental Studies and Space Science. He has a versatile teaching experience of more than 31 years both at national and international level. He remain two time Convener of the Geography Curriculum Committee of HEC and focal person of HEC for the evaluation of Geography and allied sciences projects. He is also the HEC Approved PhD supervisor since 2008.
Dr. Kazmi has been associated as Faculty/PI and Co-PI/Research Associate with various international organizations such as University of British Columbia (Canada), University of Georgia (USA), Humboldt University, World Bank, UNDP, World Food Programme, FAO, ADB, EU, HEC, Ministry of Climate Change, SEPA, WWF, IUCN etc. Furthermore, Dr Kazmi is a leading GIS Instructor of the country and trained more than 6,000/ professionals in GIS, Remote Sensing and Drone Technology. Dr Kazmi has widely travel around the globe for the participation in Conferences, workshops, seminars, colloquia etc. He has participated and presented papers in most important conferences such as AAG, ESRI, URISA, PGA, SURE, IGU, STEP, IUCN, WWF, Global Knowledge (World Bank), GreenCom etc. around the Globe.
Dr. Kazmi is the recipient of the most prestigious awards such as “Special Achievement in GIS Award-2008” by ESRI, USA, “Best University Teacher Award-2007” by Higher Education Commission (HEC), Government of Pakistan and “Indus for All Ecology Award 2012” of WWF and many other honours, shields and momentous . He is the only Meritorious Professor of Geography in the Country since 2014.
Prof Kazmi has the extensive academic and administrative experience, being Convener of many committees of Syndicate, Academic Council and ASRB and drafted many principal documents for these Statuary Bodies of Karachi University.