The UNIGIS International Academic Excellence Prize is awarded to students having submitted the best Master thesis during the previous academic year, accepted for graduation at one of the UNIGIS partner universities worldwide.

Every year, the UIA (Union of International Associations) attributes this award to the author of one of the many Master's dissertations presented, distinguishing and honoring participants for an excellent academic performance.

Artur Varanda, former Master's student in Science and Geographic Information Systems, at NOVA IMS, who graduated in 2021, was the winner of the UNIGIS Academic Excellence Prize 2022, standing out with the best thesis among partner universities.

“I am greatly honoured to have been awarded the UNIGIS Academic Excellence Prize 2022. As a Portuguese Army officer, I have known since my first days in uniform the pivotal role that maps play in the military context, but it was the Master’s in Geographic Information Systems and Science that taught me exactly how essential spatial information is in most fields of human endeavour” expressed Artur after winning this prestigious award. He added that “maps are and have always been regarded as fundamental tools for decision-making, so it is only natural to expect that better maps – with better spatial resolution, better accuracy, and faster updates – will lead to better decisions”.

Artur further shared that the aim of his project was to explore this relationship, using readily available emerging technologies to show how areas of interest in a conflict-stricken region could be detected in a timely, cost-effective, and non-invasive manner. The former student argues that “if the areas of concern are found with better spatial and temporal resolutions, the humanitarian and security assistance provided by international organizations and peacekeepers will be more relevant.”

He ended his statements by thanking all the people and organizations that supported him, highlighting his advisors and course coordinator at NOVA IMS, professors Victor Lobo, Carina Albuquerque and Marco Painho.