Definiens, the number one Enterprise Image Intelligence® company, today welcomed the Spatial Analysis Laboratory at the University of Vermont and the Centre for Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Science of the University of Queensland to its Academic Center of Excellence (ACE) program. The Universities join six other leading institutions from around the world in the program which promotes innovative research, teaching, and learning practices in the Earth Sciences. As participants in the ACE program, the universities will benefit from advanced consulting and technical support, additional licenses for the Definiens Enterprise Image Intelligence® Suite, and participation in Definiens pre-release and beta-test programs, among other incentives. Definiens draws upon the institutions in its ACE program for experiential information and beta-testing in the development of new software applications.
 
“Through our Academic Center of Excellence Program, Definiens supports innovative research in the Earth Sciences,” said Martin Ehrhardt, Vice President Remote Sensing Business at Definiens. “The participation of the University of Vermont and the University of Queensland in our program provides Definiens with further opportunities for collaboration with researchers and emerging scientists at these well-regarded institutions.”
 
The Spatial Analysis Laboratory at the University of Vermont applies techniques in GIS, remote sensing, and spatial statistics in natural resource ecology and natural resources planning. The Laboratory specializes in urban ecosystem assessment, defense applications, biodiversity analysis, land-cover mapping, planning for conservation lands, and development of new applications for natural resource management.
 
“For the past several years we have been utilizing Definiens software successfully across a number of projects,” said Jarlath O’Neil-Dunne of the Spatial Analysis Laboratory at the University of Vermont. “As a Definiens Center of Excellence, we will gain further access to advanced image analysis tools that will assist in our students’ research.”
 
The University of Queensland’s Centre for Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Science is focused on building remote sensing-based tools for understanding, monitoring, modeling and managing terrestrial, coastal and atmospheric environments. The center’s research is used directly in operational monitoring by local, state and national environmental management agencies.
 
“Definiens software has provided a paradigm shift in our processing of high-spatial resolution image data in association with field data, allowing us to build new approaches for use in riparian, coral reef, urban and coastal environments,” said Prof. Stuart Phinn of the University of Queensland. “Definiens software has enabled us to develop operational mapping and monitoring programs for activities which were previously the domain of field survey in government agencies and private companies. Joining the Definiens Center of Excellence program will enable our centre and school to significantly expand its support network and provide the tools we develop to the Definiens community.”
 
The Definiens ACE program promotes the application of Definiens’ image analysis software in groundbreaking research and teaching practices. Participating institutions publish and present geospatial research that utilizes Definiens software. Definiens continues to explore additional opportunities for leading institutions around the world to join the program, particularly in emerging markets. More information on Academic Center of Excellence program is available at: http://earth.definiens.com/learn/centers-of-excellence.