About Summer School
The International Summer School on LiDAR Applications and Advanced Data Processing is a collaborative educational event organized by the German Society for Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing, and Geoinformation (DGPF), the Polish Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (PTFiT), and the Remote Sensing & Image Analysis Group at the Technical University of Darmstadt. Scheduled for March 23-25, 2026, in Darmstadt, Germany, this intensive three-day program brings together experts and participants to explore cutting-edge techniques in LiDAR technology and data processing methods, offering an excellent opportunity for knowledge exchange and professional development in the field of remote sensing and geospatial analysis.
This summer school is specifically designed for PhD and Master’s students seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills in
- Mobile mapping and SLAM for vegetation mapping
- Low-cost handheld 3D scanner for cultural heritage documentation
- Point cloud processing with deep learning
These workshops will be led by expert lecturers from renowned German and Polish universities:
- Prof. Dr.-Ing. Norbert Haala – University of Stuttgart
- Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dorota Iwaszczuk, Technical University of Darmstadt
- dr inż. Małgorzata Jarząbek-Rychard – Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences
- Dr.-Ing. Samer Karam, Technical University of Darmstadt
- Prof. Dr. Ing. Thomas P. Kersten – HafenCity University Hamburg
- dr inż. Tomasz Kogut - Maritime University of Szczecin
- dr inż. Artur Warchol – Kielce University of Technology
- Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Weinmann – Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
and coordinators:
- Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dorota Iwaszczuk – Technical University of Darmstadt
- Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ludwig Hoegner – Hochschule München University of Applied Sciences
- Timo Kullmann, M.Sc. – Technical University of Darmstadt
- dr hab. inż. Krzysztof Bakuła – prof. PW Warsaw University of Technology
- dr inż. Tomasz Kogut - Maritime University of Szczecin
Besides the opportunity to develop professional and technical skills through plenary lectures, thematic sessions in sub-groups, and practical exercises, the summer school will also foster networking and soft skills through diverse formats such as a poster session, networking events, and social activities, complemented by industry insights provided by representatives from regional companies.
Program
Venue
Technical University of Darmstadt
23.& 24.03. – Campus Lichtwiese, Franziska-Braun-Str. 7 & 9, Darmstadt
25.03. – Campus Stadtmitte, Wilhelm-Köhler-Saal (S1|03, 283), Hochschulstr. 1, Darmstadt
Contact
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dorota Iwaszczuk, Timo Kullmann, M.Sc, , dr inż. Tomasz Kogut
e-mail:
Fee:
- Regular: 120€ (without accommodation)
- Sponsored (application required): 40€ (incl. accommodation) (*)
The registration fee includes participation in lectures and workshops, coffee breaks, lunches, and participation in social events. On March 25, 2025, joint activities with DGPF events will be included in the program.
*) DGPF / PTFiT will sponsor PhD and Master’s students willing to participate in the summer school to improve their professional skills. For the application a short motivation letter (up to 3000 characters) is required.
The travel for sponsored participants coming from Poland to Germany will be supported by the PTFiT. The format, amount and further details of this support will be announced on the webpage of PTFiT: https://ptfit.sgp.geodezja.org.pl.
Accommodation:
Sponsored participants be accommodated in JH Darmstadt, Landgraf-Georg-Str. 119, 64287 Darmstadt
Regular participants are invited to review regular hotel offering in Darmstadt in order find appropriate accommodation. The costs of the this accommodation must be covered by the participant.
Registration:
Registration Deadline for sponsored applications: January 1, 2026
Registration Deadline for regular registrations: as long as seat available but not later than February 28. UPDATE: No seat available
Participants can register for one of three practical exercises: mobile mapping, low-cost handheld 3D scanner, or point cloud processing. During registration, please specify your preference for the practical part (top – first choice, middle – second choice, bottom – third choice). The decision about assignment to the groups will be made by the Organizing Committee based on the registration date as well as participants' expectations for the workshop. Accordingly, please mention your experience in the topic of the summer school and your expectations in your motivation letter.
Update: All seats have been filled and registration for the summer school is closed.
Registration Link: https://umfragen.tu-darmstadt.de/274134?lang=en
Information for participants
Requirements for Participants:
The lecturers will provide all necessary surveying equipment. Participants are required to bring their own computers to perform calculations. Lecturers of each workshop will inform you about the specific system and software requirements for your assigned workshop. Please also bring appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear for fieldwork activities.
Poster Session on March 23:
We would like to invite all participants to present their scientific activity—participation in a research project, thesis, PhD proposal, or similar—as a poster. Please bring an A1-size poster in landscape orientation with you. The poster will be displayed and discussed on Monday afternoon.
ESOC Visit on March 24:
On March 24, we offer you an excursion to ESA's European Space Operations Centre (ESOC). You will be able to enter the facilities of the Space Agency located in Darmstadt. Details regarding the transfer to ESOC will be shared during the opening of the summer school.
Important: You must bring your passport or national ID and show it at the gate. Without these documents, you will not be able to enter ESA.
Social Events:
The summer school includes two social events, which are included in your participation fee. These events provide an excellent opportunity to network with fellow participants and lecturers in an informal setting. The first social event will take place after the poster session on March 23 directly at the venue. The second social event will be at restaurant/bar Achtzehn98, Nieder-Ramstädter Str. 170, Darmstadt. We will go there directly from ESOC on March 24.
Shared Activities with DGPF Youth on March 25:
On March 25, shared activities with "DGPF-Nachwuchsnetzwerk" (Youth Forum of DGPF) are planned. This part is organized and led by DGPF Youth. The DGPF Youth Forum offers a platform for scientific exchange and networking for students, PhD candidates, and early-career researchers. This includes invited talks from academia and public institutions, as well as a poster session with opportunities for discussion. You are welcome to display your poster during this event as well, though this is not compulsory. For organizational reasons, please inform us by February 28 if you would like a spot for your poster during this event.
Invitation to DGPF Annual Meeting:
As a summer school participant, you are invited to participate in the first day of the DGPF Annual Meeting without additional fee. In order to attend the entire DGPF conference, please register as described here: https://www.dgpf.de/con/jt2026/reg.html