CiTIUS strengthens Santiago's role as a global meeting point for next-generation Earth observation technologies
The fifth edition of the IEEE HDCRS Summer School returns to Santiago de Compostela for its third consecutive year at CiTIUS, bringing together leading experts from academia, research centres, space agencies and technology companies to explore the future of artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, quantum technologies and Earth observation.
For the third consecutive year, Santiago de Compostela becomes a focal point for the international remote sensing community. CiTIUS, the Singular Research Centre in Intelligent Technologies of the University of Santiago de Compostela, hosts a new edition of the International School on High-Performance and Disruptive Computing in Remote Sensing (HDCRS), a specialised training programme organised by the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (GRSS) through its Earth Science Informatics Technical Committee (ESI TC), in collaboration with the IEEE Iceland Section.
The event brings together students, early-career researchers, industry professionals and internationally recognised experts working at the intersection of Earth observation and advanced computing. Throughout the programme, participants will explore some of the technologies that are reshaping the field, including artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, cloud infrastructures, quantum computing and specialised hardware architectures for large-scale geospatial data analysis. More information about the programme is available on the official HDCRS Summer School website.
Three consecutive editions have turned Santiago into a meeting point for the global remote sensing community
The school was established in Iceland in 2021 under the leadership of the HDCRS Working Group and the IEEE Iceland Section, quickly becoming an international reference for researchers interested in applying disruptive computing technologies to Earth observation challenges. After holding its first editions in Reykjavík, Iceland, CiTIUS brought the initiative to Santiago de Compostela in 2024, opening a new chapter for the programme and strengthening its links with the European research ecosystem. Since then, the event has continued to grow under the local coordination of CiTIUS researcher Dora Blanco.
The arrival of the school in Galicia marked a significant milestone for both the event and the host institution. As reported when CiTIUS first brought the prestigious initiative to Santiago in 2024, the move expanded the school's international reach while creating new opportunities for collaboration between experts in remote sensing, artificial intelligence and advanced computing.
The momentum continued the following year, when the 2025 edition consolidated Santiago as the school's new home and attracted specialists from leading organisations including NASA, Google and IBM. Building on that success, the 2026 edition further expands its international network of collaborators and institutional partners.
This year's edition is supported by an extensive ecosystem of academic, scientific and industrial organisations. Among the institutions and entities collaborating with the school are NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), IBM, Google Developers Experts, Forschungszentrum Jülich, CESGA, the University of Iceland, BOKU University, the IEEE Iceland Section, Quantum Cosmos Lab, FAST-EO, IMPACT, E4 Computer Engineering, EUROCC, the University of Santiago de Compostela and CiTIUS itself.
The diversity of partners involved illustrates the multidisciplinary nature of the challenges addressed by the school. From artificial intelligence and supercomputing to quantum technologies and cloud-based infrastructures, the programme offers participants a unique opportunity to gain first-hand insights into the tools and methodologies that are driving innovation in Earth observation and remote sensing.
From NASA and ESA to IBM and Google, the school connects some of the world's leading voices in Earth observation
Beyond the technical sessions, the HDCRS Summer School is designed to encourage interaction among participants from different backgrounds and countries. The programme combines lectures, discussions and networking opportunities aimed at connecting young researchers and professionals with internationally recognised leaders in the field.
By hosting the school for a third consecutive year, CiTIUS further strengthens its position within a global network of institutions advancing research and innovation in intelligent technologies. The initiative also reinforces Santiago de Compostela's growing visibility as an international destination for scientific collaboration, advanced training and technological development, while continuing a partnership that began in Iceland and has flourished in Galicia.
About the HDCRS Working Group
High-Performance and Disruptive Computing in Remote Sensing (HDCRS) is a working group of the Earth Science Informatics Technical Committee of the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (GRSS). The group promotes research and innovation in advanced computing technologies for Earth observation, fostering collaboration between academia, research centres, public institutions and industry worldwide.
For the third consecutive year, Santiago de Compostela becomes a focal point for the international remote sensing community. CiTIUS, the Singular Research Centre in Intelligent Technologies of the University of Santiago de Compostela, hosts a new edition of the International School on High-Performance and Disruptive Computing in Remote Sensing (HDCRS), a specialised training programme organised by the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (GRSS) through its Earth Science Informatics Technical Committee (ESI TC), in collaboration with the IEEE Iceland Section.
The event brings together students, early-career researchers, industry professionals and internationally recognised experts working at the intersection of Earth observation and advanced computing. Throughout the programme, participants will explore some of the technologies that are reshaping the field, including artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, cloud infrastructures, quantum computing and specialised hardware architectures for large-scale geospatial data analysis. More information about the programme is available on the official HDCRS Summer School website.
Three consecutive editions have turned Santiago into a meeting point for the global remote sensing community
The school was established in Iceland in 2021 under the leadership of the HDCRS Working Group and the IEEE Iceland Section, quickly becoming an international reference for researchers interested in applying disruptive computing technologies to Earth observation challenges. After holding its first editions in Reykjavík, Iceland, CiTIUS brought the initiative to Santiago de Compostela in 2024, opening a new chapter for the programme and strengthening its links with the European research ecosystem. Since then, the event has continued to grow under the local coordination of CiTIUS researcher Dora Blanco.
The arrival of the school in Galicia marked a significant milestone for both the event and the host institution. As reported when CiTIUS first brought the prestigious initiative to Santiago in 2024, the move expanded the school's international reach while creating new opportunities for collaboration between experts in remote sensing, artificial intelligence and advanced computing.
The momentum continued the following year, when the 2025 edition consolidated Santiago as the school's new home and attracted specialists from leading organisations including NASA, Google and IBM. Building on that success, the 2026 edition further expands its international network of collaborators and institutional partners.
This year's edition is supported by an extensive ecosystem of academic, scientific and industrial organisations. Among the institutions and entities collaborating with the school are NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), IBM, Google Developers Experts, Forschungszentrum Jülich, CESGA, the University of Iceland, BOKU University, the IEEE Iceland Section, Quantum Cosmos Lab, FAST-EO, IMPACT, E4 Computer Engineering, EUROCC, the University of Santiago de Compostela and CiTIUS itself.
The diversity of partners involved illustrates the multidisciplinary nature of the challenges addressed by the school. From artificial intelligence and supercomputing to quantum technologies and cloud-based infrastructures, the programme offers participants a unique opportunity to gain first-hand insights into the tools and methodologies that are driving innovation in Earth observation and remote sensing.
From NASA and ESA to IBM and Google, the school connects some of the world's leading voices in Earth observation
Beyond the technical sessions, the HDCRS Summer School is designed to encourage interaction among participants from different backgrounds and countries. The programme combines lectures, discussions and networking opportunities aimed at connecting young researchers and professionals with internationally recognised leaders in the field.
By hosting the school for a third consecutive year, CiTIUS further strengthens its position within a global network of institutions advancing research and innovation in intelligent technologies. The initiative also reinforces Santiago de Compostela's growing visibility as an international destination for scientific collaboration, advanced training and technological development, while continuing a partnership that began in Iceland and has flourished in Galicia.
About the HDCRS Working Group
High-Performance and Disruptive Computing in Remote Sensing (HDCRS) is a working group of the Earth Science Informatics Technical Committee of the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (GRSS). The group promotes research and innovation in advanced computing technologies for Earth observation, fostering collaboration between academia, research centres, public institutions and industry worldwide.