Michael Sutherland holds an M.Sc.E. and Ph.D. in Geomatics Engineering from the University of New Brunswick, Canada specializing in land information management and GIS. He is currently a lecturer, and the Programme Coordinator of the B.Sc. in Land Management (Valuation) Programme in the Department of Geomatics Engineering and Land Management, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. He previously held post-doctoral positions at the University of Ottawa, and Dalhousie University, Canada. His academic and professional background includes land management, coastal zone management, and ocean governance. Michael is a member of the Canadian Institute of Geomatics and the Institute of Surveyors of Trinidad and Tobago. He is confirmed as Chair, Commission 4, International Federation of Surveyor (FIG) and represents the FIG to the Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific.