The newly-sworn land surveyors: Navindra Looknauth, Joel Trotman, Ramnaresh Persaud, Tamesh Persaud, Kemo Cornelius, and Kishan Crichlow, with President Dr Irfaan Ali at the Office of the President on Wednesday
President Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday called for resolute professionalism and ethical conduct as he administered the Oath of Office to six new Land Surveyors who were successful at the statutory Land Surveyors examination as required by Section 7 of the Land Surveyors Act.
The six newly sworn land surveyors receiving their certificates are Navindra Looknauth, Joel Trotman, Ramnaresh Persaud, Tamesh Persaud, Kemo Cornelius, and Kishan Crichlow. Delivering brief remarks at the swearing in ceremony held at the Office of the President, President Ali encouraged the six young professionals to commit to lifelong learning, and contribute to the advancement of land surveying profession.
“Your practical skills and ethical judgment is what will truly set you apart in this profession. Your ability to apply knowledge wisely and act with honesty and integrity will ensure your success and the trust of those you serve,” Ali said.
President Ali noted that the land surveying profession is one that can be both rewarding and fulfilling however he noted that “The true value is not in financial rewards but in the trust and respect you earn from those who rely on your expertise. You have the potential to make a lasting impact on the development of our society.”
Land surveying involves measurement and mapping of land features boundaries and elevations. In Guyana persons cannot practice land surveying without being duly certified and sworn according to the Land Surveyors Act. The Act makes provision for the appointment of land surveyors and with respect to land survey.
Also making remarks at the ceremony was Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), Enrique Monize, who encouraged the land surveyors to continue to pursue higher education in the field and not limit their professional careers to basic cadastral and boundary surveys.
“This is a very simple but significant occasion. The land surveyor’s exam is a very challenging examination,” Monize said.
Monize placed particular emphasis on the need for land surveyors in the area of geodesy, a branch of land surveying that deals with measuring and understanding the Earth’s geometric shape, orientation in space, and gravity field. According to Monize this area suffers from a lack of qualified persons not only in Guyana but around the world. Guyana last had a geodesist in the 1980s.
“Geodesy plays a pivotal role in land surveying by providing a fundamental reference framework for conducting surveys. The worldwide shortage of geodesists provides ample opportunities for bright young surveyors to specialise,” Monize noted.
Towards this end, Monize said, the GLSC has worked with the University of Guyana to formulate a degree programme in geospatial science, which could soon be added to the university’s offering.
