Professor Abbas Rajabifard. Image courtesy FIG
SSSI has announced that is has nominated Professor Abbas Rajabifard HFSSSI for the position of International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) President for the term of office 2023–26.
Professor Rajabifard is a leader, innovator and educator who has built an extensive international network and is well positioned to champion the future direction of FIG and the interests of the geospatial community.
A surveyor and an internationally recognised scholar and engineer, Professor Rajabifard has proven experience in leading and chairing professional organisations and executive science panels, such as Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI) and UNGGIM-Academic Network.
Professor Rajabifard is currently the Discipline Leader Geomatics and Director of Smart Sustainable Development within the Division of Engineering & IT at the University of Melbourne.
He has more than 30 years of experience working at various state, national and international levels within industry, government and academia, in a career path that has always been in surveying, land administration and spatial.
Professor Rajabifard is currently very active across FIG, particularly as a member of Commission 7: Cadastre and Land Management, Commission 3: Spatial Information Management and Commission 2: Professional Education.
According to Professor Rajabifard, should he become FIG President, his focus will be to nurture strong collaborative partnerships with government, academia and industry and to ensure the next generation of professionals are equipped to meet the needs of the emerging markets and industry.
“As the world emerges from COVID-19, I believe my vision aligns strongly with FIG’s mission and emerging global trends. I will be guided by market demands and ensure professionals working within the disciplines of land and surveying meet the existing and future needs of global markets and communities,” said Professor Rajabifard.
Professor Rajabifard has been involved with SSSI as a Victorian Region Committee member and was conferred as Honorary Fellow in 2020. In 2016 he was awarded the Oceanic Professional of the Year APSEA and he is also a recipient of the GSDI President’s Medal.
“Professor Rajabifard is a strategic thinker who is passionate about driving innovation and change within the geospatial profession. He understands the complex environment we work in and the need to build collaborative partnerships to maximise our opportunities for growth,” said Paul Digney, President, SSSI.
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