Prof. Ivan Henrico is a distinguished academic and geoinformatics specialist whose career bridges military service, advanced geospatial science, and higher education leadership. He served for a decade in the South African National Defence Force, where he developed a strong foundation in intelligence and applied geospatial analysis. He completed his PhD in Geoinformatics at the University of Pretoria in 2017 and was appointed Associate Professor in Military Geography at Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Military Science in February 2025. Prof. Henrico currently serves as the Faculty’s Vice-Dean for Research and Internationalisation, a role he has held since October 2025. He previously served as Acting Vice-Dean for Teaching, Learning and Research (February–September 2025), and earlier as Chair of the School of Geospatial Studies and Information Systems—now the Division of Defence Science and Technology. His international leadership experience includes a three-year term as Co-Chair of Working Group 2 (Capacity Building) of the United Nations Open GIS Initiative.

An NRF C-rated researcher, Prof. Henrico has contributed extensively to the fields of geosciences, geography, geopolitics, and geophysics through accredited publications and presentations at national and international conferences. He also plays an active governance role within the Faculty, chairing the Research Committee and serving on its Executive Committee. Recognised with multiple Stellenbosch University awards for teaching and research excellence since 2021, Prof. Henrico remains deeply committed to capacity development. He regularly facilitates specialised GIS training programmes for students, practitioners, and defence professionals across South Africa and internationally.