THE importance of the role of land surveyors and the need for continuous improvement were emphasised during the graduation of 10 persons in the field on Friday.

Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, lauded the successful surveyors that graduated from an initial batch of 34 and said that their achievement speaks to their “abilities, focus and being able to overcome challenges”. It was recalled that only five persons graduated in 2012 and three in 2011. Persaud said that given the pass rates for previous years, he was happy with the efforts being made by the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) to have certified and competent land surveyors.
The role that they play particularly in the evaluation process for certain types of potential investments was emphasised by the minister. “You will understand, not only in natural resources, but also in other economic activities you will appreciate why is it we need to have qualified surveyors…but also why is it we need to have the quantity of land surveyors,” Persaud exhorted
Persaud added that it is important that the young surveyors not have their recent achievement blunt their appetite for more knowledge and experience. “If you’re going to develop as a surveyor of any quality, speak with any of the surveyors who have been very prominent in our country, it is experience that really cuts the card at the end of the day.” He stressed
Persaud said the land surveyors Profession Bill would serve as a guide to ensure professional conduct, training and ethics which would result in the level of respect that is accorded to other professions such as medicine, being given to that of land surveying. The bill, he said, would also cater for the use of modern technology, since the original act put into place in 1973 has not changed significantly to reflect rapidly changing technology.
“What we’ve done is extricate the section that deals with the issue of professional conduct and the profession and we’ve created, based on consultations with the Surveyors Association and others, a specific bill which will have rights, as well as obligations, and it will at the end of the day lift the standards of the profession: where we will insist on integrity, where we will insist on quality and whereby we will insist that when surveys are done, they are done by people who are qualified,” Persaud said.
Persaud appealed for the graduates to join the government agencies which are in need of their services and not only seek to move into the private sector. “Take for instance, we only have 12 surveyors, we need several more, we need surveyors to serve in all our regions too, so there is a space for you. I want you to recognise that you have an obligation to provide services even to this commission itself. It will set a good foundation and it will also be your way of giving back, Persaud urged.
President of the Surveyors’ Association, Randolph Choo-Shee-Nam, congratulated the new land surveyors, noting that their success at examinations is only an indication of what they did and not what they can do. Clients demand the best, he added, and the need for real-world experience must never be underestimated along with the need for further studies. “Never put down your books, and remember you will always need further training”.
Giving an overview of the course which was extended due to extra funding from an original six weeks to eight, Surveys Division Manager Rene Duesbury said it was the largest number of surveyors in over two decades to be sworn in. He mentioned an increase in the percentage of Mathematics and Astronomy passes and a decline in the percentage of Theory and Practice and Use and Adjustment passes. “This can be attributed to the fact that candidates placed more emphasis on Mathematics and Astronomy this year”.
He explained that these persons have not only been trained to survey lands as their title connotes, but also economic, inclusive zones, airspaces and water. “Today you have joined a prestigious club, as many before you have done; such as former President Arthur Chung, Wilson Harris, Edward Hopkinson, your current Examiner Mr. Randolph Choo-Shee-Nam, to name a few. Great expectation is expected of you,” Duesbury said.
Giving the vote of thanks, Valedictorian Dinesh Sukhu, thanked his parent, lecturers and the Board of Examiners for their support, and encouraged his fellow surveyors to see their achievement as a stepping stone to greater things. He also challenged the next class to surpass this most recent effort.
The other newly sworn-in surveyors are Terrence Sukhu, Terrence Thomas, Jason Alexander, Trevon Graham, Kwasi Wilson, Raphael Pearson, Dekwesi Yaw, Dexter Chacon and lone female Shibanah Lara.
There have been 555 land surveyors sworn in since the original department was established in 1892. (GINA)