The South African Council for Professional and Technical Surveyors (PLATO) has accredited the UNIGIS professional and MSc courses as complying with their requirements for registration. The Professional and Technical Surveyors Act 40/1984 requires PLATO to accredit academic courses at educational institutions in order for graduates to register in the various PLATO categories.
The UNIGIS MSc in GIScience now has been accredited as complying with the requirements for registration as a “Professional GISc Practitioner”, and the UNIGIS professional Diploma is accredited as complying with the requirements for registration as a “GISc Technologist”. This opens up attractive professional pathways and recognized credentials for UNIGIS graduates in Southern Africa. The MSc and professional qualifications are awarded by the University of Salzburg, and jointly offered through the South African study Centre led by Ann Olivier. The next intake for UNIGIS studies is planned for February 2013.