Kaifi Chomani
Geomatics Engineer | Assistant Lecturer & Researcher at University of Raparin | Author
Specialised in Geospatial Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing, and Machine Learning. Developing advanced spatial models for flood risk assessment, land-use/land-cover (LULC) change, and water resource management to drive environmental sustainability and GeoAI integration.
Personal Website
About Kaifi Chomani
Kaifi Chomani is a Geomatics Engineer, academic researcher, and prolific author based at the University of Raparin, Ranya, Iraq. With over seven years of teaching and research experience, he bridges the gap between classical geospatial science and emerging technologies such as GeoAI, digital twins, and smart city frameworks.
As Founder and Manager of Egeocate Lab — a dedicated GIS and Remote Sensing laboratory — and Head of the GIS & Remote Sensing Unit at Eco Vision Organization, Kaifi leads applied research that directly informs regional environmental policy and climate resilience. His work spans flood hazard modelling, urban growth monitoring, and sustainable land management across semi-arid and mountainous environments.
📍 Main Road, University of Raparin, Ranya – Iraq
✉ [email protected] | [email protected]
Core Technical Skills
ArcGIS Pro
Advanced spatial analysis & cartography
QGIS
Open-source GIS workflows
GeoAI
AI-driven geospatial intelligence
Google Earth Engine
Cloud-based remote sensing at scale
Machine Learning
Predictive modelling & classification
Deep Learning
CNN-based image analysis
ENVI & SNAP
Satellite image processing
Digital Twins
Smart city & urban simulation
Academic Education
A rigorous academic foundation in Geomatics Engineering, anchored by thesis-level research and a record of first-class achievement.
1
2012 – 2016
BSc in Geomatics-Surveying Engineering
Salahaddin University – Erbil
🏅 Graduated First in Class — Ranking #1
2
2017 – Present
Academic & Professional Practice
University of Raparin, Ranya
Teaching, research, and laboratory leadership in GIS & Remote Sensing
3
2023 – 2025
MSc in Geomatics Engineering
Salahaddin University – Erbil
Thesis: "Spatiotemporal Analysis of Flood Hazard Scenarios Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques: Erbil City as a Case Study"
Professional Experience & Leadership
A decade-long career defined by academic service, applied research, and institutional leadership in geomatics, environmental monitoring, and engineering education.
Assistant Lecturer & Researcher | University of Raparin
2017 – Present · Core subjects include GIS, Remote Sensing, Surveying Engineering, and Engineering Analysis. Actively supervises student dissertations and leads applied geospatial research projects that contribute to regional environmental decision-making.
Founder & Manager | Egeocate Lab for GIS & Remote Sensing
2018 – Present · Established and manages a specialised GIS and Remote Sensing training and research laboratory. Egeocate Lab serves as a hub for capacity building, professional certification, and collaborative applied research across the Kurdistan Region.
Head of GIS & Remote Sensing Unit | Eco Vision Organization
2024 – Present · Leads the geospatial intelligence arm of Eco Vision, directing satellite-based environmental monitoring and spatial data analysis in support of climate action and land management initiatives.
Board Member & Journal Committee | Pewer Construction & College of Engineering
Ongoing · Serves on the board of Pewer Construction for Engineering and Academic Services, and contributes to the management committee of the College of Engineering Journal, supporting academic publishing standards and peer-review governance.
Books & Authored Works
Author and translator of 26 published books in Kurdish, English, and Arabic — making advanced geomatics knowledge accessible to regional academic communities in their native language. The seven core geomatics titles below represent a landmark contribution to Kurdish-language technical literature in engineering and environmental science.
GIS Fundamentals
A comprehensive introduction to Geographic Information Systems theory, data models, and practical spatial analysis workflows.
GPS Fundamentals
Covers global positioning theory, coordinate systems, and field-based GPS data collection methodologies.
Remote Sensing Fundamentals
Explores electromagnetic spectrum theory, sensor types, image interpretation, and multi-spectral analysis techniques.
Drone Surveying
A practical guide to UAV-based photogrammetry, mission planning, and point cloud generation for engineering surveys.
Flood Mapping
Presents methodologies for spatial flood modelling, hazard zonation, and GIS-based risk cartography in vulnerable environments.
Geomatics for Urban Planning
Integrates geospatial tools with urban design, land-use planning, and smart city infrastructure development.
AI and Geomatics
Bridges machine learning and deep learning frameworks with geospatial data science and earth observation applications.
Selected Peer-Reviewed Publications
Kaifi's research output spans high-impact journals in earth sciences, remote sensing, and geomatics. The selected publications below reflect his focus on satellite-based environmental monitoring, flood risk modelling, and land-use change detection across the Kurdistan Region and the broader Middle East.
Academic Recognition & Honours
Awards & International Mobility
Best Researcher Award — 2024 & 2025
Awarded consecutively by the University of Raparin in recognition of outstanding research output and contribution to geospatial sciences.
Erasmus+ Fully Funded Delegate — Poland, 2022
Selected as a fully funded Erasmus+ delegate, representing Iraqi academic institutions in an international knowledge exchange programme.
ITEC Delegate — India, 2022
Nominated as an ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) delegate, participating in advanced technical training and bilateral academic cooperation.
Editorial & Peer Review Contributions
A verified reviewer for 27 peer-reviewed papers across internationally renowned publishers, demonstrating deep subject-matter expertise and commitment to academic quality assurance. Reviewed contributions span:
Nature
Scientific Reports
IEEE
JSTARS
Elsevier
Ecological Informatics
Springer
Natural Hazards
Research Focus Areas
Kaifi's research is united by a commitment to applying geospatial intelligence to real-world environmental challenges — from flood early warning systems to sustainable urban development in climate-vulnerable regions.
Flood Hazard Modelling
Integrating SAR imagery, DEM analysis, and machine learning to generate spatiotemporal flood hazard maps for semi-arid and mountainous catchments across Iraqi Kurdistan.
LULC Change Detection
Applying time-series satellite imagery and classification algorithms to track land-use and land-cover transformations with implications for ecosystem services and urban sprawl management.
Water Resource Management
Developing GIS-based frameworks for groundwater mapping, surface water monitoring, and hydrological modelling in support of sustainable resource governance.
GeoAI & Deep Learning
Advancing machine learning and deep learning pipelines for earth observation tasks including image classification, feature extraction, and automated change detection at scale.
Smart Cities & Digital Twins
Exploring the integration of geomatics with urban informatics, IoT sensor networks, and digital twin technology for intelligent city planning and infrastructure resilience.
Wildfire & Burned Area Mapping
Developing novel multi-spectral indices using high-resolution satellite data for rapid, accurate post-fire damage assessment and environmental impact evaluation.
Community Engagement & Sustainability
Beyond the laboratory and lecture hall, Kaifi is deeply committed to translating geospatial knowledge into tangible community benefit. His outreach work targets climate resilience, youth empowerment, and educational equity across the Kurdistan Region.
GIS Masterclass for Groundwater Mapping
Lead instructor for a 36-hour intensive GIS training programme delivered in partnership with UNICEF, equipping local practitioners and environmental officers with practical geospatial skills for groundwater resource mapping and sustainable water governance.
Climate Action & Youth Empowerment
Actively engaged in regional climate action initiatives, capacity-building workshops, and youth-focused STEM programmes. Works to reduce barriers to technical education by authoring and delivering course materials in Kurdish — ensuring that advanced geomatics knowledge is accessible to local learners without linguistic disadvantage.
Educational Equity in Local Language
A core pillar of Kaifi's mission is combating socio-economic inequality through knowledge localisation. By publishing 26 books in Kurdish, Arabic, and English, he empowers a generation of students and professionals who would otherwise lack access to technical geomatics literature in their native language.
Research Profiles & Academic Identifiers
Verify Kaifi's research output, citation metrics, and editorial contributions across the leading international academic databases and recognition platforms.
Scopus
Scopus Author ID:
59473185800
Web of Science
Researcher ID:
IUM-4906-2023
Google Scholar
Scholar ID:
jlILzykAAAAJ
Contact
📍 Main Road, University of Raparin, Ranya – Iraq
✉ [email protected]
✉ [email protected]
© Kaifi Chomani · Geomatics Engineer, Researcher & Author · University of Raparin, Iraq