KUALA LUMPUR: Continuing industry changes and technological developments present the surveying profession with many challenges, threats and opportunities- The profession is now at a crossroads where the old ways no longer work- Its role has changed and is not likely to revert to the traditional role- "The world is getting more sophisticated after the global crisis, people are now looking for answers and some may lie in getting the financial system better," said the Institution of Surveyors Malaysia president Elvin Fernandez- He said the global economic meltdown which started with the US mortgage crisis, resulting in the US market to fall, eventually had impact on the rest of the world- "The real estate sector plays a complicated role and as valuers we play a centre role," he told Business Times recently- The Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia's deputy director-general Ahmad Fauzi Nordin said the upcoming 11th South East Asian Survey Congress (11th SEASC 2011) and the 13th International Surveyors' Congress (13th ISC 2011) which will held concurrently for three days starting today, hopes to address issues and global changes surrounding the industry- With the theme, "Innovation Towards Sustainability", the combined congress intends to highlight initiatives aimed at encouraging the convergence, sharing and use of innovative technologies and knowledge- "The events, organised as part of ISM's 50th year celebrations, will be used as a platform to forge new collaborations and identify avenues for research, development and innovation across all related disciplines," said Fauzi, who is the organising committee chairman- AFLAG (Asean Federation of Land Surveying and Geomatics) and the Association of Authorised Land Surveyors Malaysia (Pejuta) are also co-host of the two events- At the congress, there will also be several technical tours on offer to delegates that will take them to interesting places in and around the city of Kuala Lumpur as well as its outskirts- Another highlight of the event is an exhibition where over 100 exhibitors, including survey equipment suppliers, solution providers and property developers will showcase their products- AFLAG Council Meetings and AFLAG Biennial General Meeting will also be organised on Saturday- Fernandez said as a forum to exchange information and experience, both events will provide participants with a window of opportunity to meet fellow professionals from other parts of the world, hear issues first hand and to reflect on solutions proposed or implemented by others- "I am confident that everyone will benefit from this gathering," he said-...

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