The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) is pleased to announce the reaccreditation of NOVA Information Management School’s (IMS) graduate Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) certificate program.

NOVA IMS was founded in 1989 in response to the growing need for information technology and management education. Based in Portugal, NOVA IMS is USGIF’s only accredited international university and remains an integral part of the 23 academic institutions offering USGIF-accredited GEOINT certificates or degrees.

The Geospatial Intelligence certificate program has excelled in preparing students for key challenges including global security, natural disasters, humanitarian crises, and more. The reaccreditation process recognized NOVA IMS’s excellence in achieving the following goals:

• Alignment of program goals with USGIF’s mission with a wide array of majors represented within GEOINT certificate program
• Strong partnerships with government, industry, and academia with a clear commitment to GEOINT education
• Dedication to academic integrity, strong institutional support for department programs, and willingness to evolve with student needs and trends within the field

NOVA IMS has established a strong presence at the annual GEOINT Symposium, providing students with opportunities to participate in the Student Poster competition at GEOINT Foreword. Additionally, NOVA IMS students have actively contributed to USGIF by serving as student assistants for Symposium programming and activities.

Professor Marco Painho, Program Coordinator for the Geospatial Intelligence Certificate said, “Getting USGIF reaccreditation as the only institution outside the US isn’t just a nice-to-have for us—it’s proof that what we do here works, and it works globally.”

“It’s not about ticking boxes; it’s about training people to use geospatial intelligence to tackle critical challenges, inform smarter decisions, and create solutions that leave a lasting impact on communities and industries worldwide. This accreditation sets our programs apart, offering students the credibility that comes with global recognition,” Dr. Painho added.

USGIF’s reaccreditation furthers NOVA IMS’s position as a leader in GEOINT education, enabling students to tackle critical geospatial challenges. Interested academic institutions should visit the Education webpage for more information on the standards and guidelines and the steps to accreditation.