The focus of FIG Commission 2 is professional surveying
education. The core areas for the commission are: 1) curriculum and
core surveying body of knowledge, 2) effective teaching and learning
methods, 3) knowledge exchange and 4) continuing professional
development.
Why quality professional education is vitally important
The FIG Commission 2 mission is to raise the next generation of
surveying professionals that have a sound education foundation, can
impart knowledge and about surveying theory and best practices, have
the competencies, skills and instincts in surveying sciences and
technologies. They should also be agile and able to respond to the
growing demands from humanity, and able to keep pace with new and
emerging paradigms, technologies and processes. The profession needs
to not only measure but also manage, to mitigate, to meaningfully
deploy its sciences and technologies, its knowledge and practices
for the betterment of humanity so that the profession remains
relevant. Against this backdrop, surveying educators, government and
industry working together have the task of educating and shaping our
next generation of professionals and providing options for
life-long-learning. Professional education and life-long learning
are fundamental in achieving SGD Goal 4 to ensure inclusive and
equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning
opportunities for all.
Supporting high quality professional education for surveyors
Effective learning depends on approaches to professional
education that understands how students learn, and develops
approaches for teaching and learning that are accessible for all and
evidence-based. We seek to understand how current students best
learn, good practices in e-learning, and in blending f2f and
e-learning approaches for both teaching and training. Commission 2
work plan is delivered largely by the three working groups:
During 2020, there have been significant developments in
surveying professional education due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
Globally, many surveying academic institutions were required to
adapt to these restrictions by moving their learning and teaching
completely online. This has presented a range of challenges as we
grappled with which learning management system and video
communications platforms we would use. We considered how to reach
those students without adequate internet connection or with poor ICT
quality. We considered the implications for those tasks that were
heavily based around face-to-face contact – for example field
practical projects, computer lab sessions, and cartographic design
projects.
Out of this has come some excellent lessons for blended learning and
we should take the opportunity to capture lessons and share the
experiences with others. This presents an opportunity for
discussions in webinars later in 2020, as well as for the FIG
Working Week in 2021.
Role of FIG Commission 2
Commission 2 achieves its mission by promoting good practices in
professional surveying education through:
Exploring the needs of society and endorsing
universities and other educational organizations to develop
mechanisms and processes that will help to meet those needs.
Methods and content of education: To support and promote
advances in learning and teaching methods and content of
curricula with special emphasis on the impact of technology and
learning styles on education.
Knowledge sharing. Promoting sharing of advances in
professional education, research in surveying education and
training and initiate joint projects (curriculum development,
educational material development, joint courses, quality
assurance etc.). Improving dissemination of
information on educational theory and practice to the members
across the world via existing academic networks.
Supporting capacity building for surveying education in the
developing world, through strengthening knowledge transfer
(including collaboration with UN-GGIM, GLTN, RICS and academic
networks).
Cooperation with other professions. Reinforcing cooperation
with Educational Commissions of International Organisations on
the related professions.
Continuing Professional Development. Encourage improved
surveying practice through the promotion of continuing
professional development (CPD) and the practical application of
research, help surveyors continuously to update their academic
and professional profiles.
