BRISBANE, Apr 10 – The International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) Working Week 2025 is partnering with Locate25, Australia and New Zealand’s premier geospatial conference, to organize a historic event. This unprecedented gathering of the global surveying, spatial, and geoscience community took place at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) in Brisbane, Australia, from April 6 to April 10, 2025.
This synergistic event brought together over 1,500 delegates from over 100 countries to explore new horizons in surveying, mapping, and geospatial science. Under the theme “Collaboration, Innovation and Resilience: Championing a Digital Generation”, the event focused on how geospatial professionals can shape a smarter, sustainable world through digital transformation and unified action. Attendees engaged with more than 300 technical papers across FIG’s 10 commissions and working groups, fostering knowledge-sharing and cutting-edge solutions. From thought-provoking keynotes to dynamic networking, the event reinforced the power of global partnerships in shaping resilient, tech-driven futures.
We are proud to highlight Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)’s impressive participation at the FIG Working Week 2025. Representing the Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying (FABU), LSr Prof. Dr. Mohd Razali Mahmud and Ts. Sr Dr. Kelvin Tang Kang Wee, Chair of Working Group 4.4 (Hydrospatial Domain & Marine Administration), showcased Malaysia’s expertise on the global stage by actively contributing to FIG Commission 4 (Hydrography). This achievement reaffirms UTM’s pivotal role in advancing the future of hydrography, a crucial discipline for Malaysia’s hydrographic surveying education and professional development.
Three technical papers were presented and published as part of their participation in the FIG Working Week 2025. One of these papers was a publicity piece highlighting the UTM’s Hydrography and Marine Technology Programme (HYDRO III) and its compliance with S-5A standards. The other two papers focused on more technical aspects: one examined the impact of echo sounders on marine mammals, while the other discussed bathymetric data optimization using a sea-spike filtering approach. This event served as a platform to explore how science and technology can address pressing global challenges, including biodiversity conservation, digital governance, and the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UTM delegates had the privilege of participating in an exclusive technical tour organized by the FIG Commission 4, where they boarded the QG Norfolk Hydrographic Survey Vessel for hands-on technical experience. These immersive 30-minute sessions provided a unique behind-the-scenes look at real-world hydrographic operations, featuring live data collection from Brisbane’s City Reach. Participants also engaged in interactive demonstrations of state-of-the-art survey hardware, software, and processed outputs. This experience offered invaluable insights into how modern hydrographic technology transforms raw data into actionable hydrospatial intelligence, making it a must-attend opportunity for professionals eager to connect theoretical knowledge with industry practice.
In conclusion, the FIG Working Week 2025 has fostered remarkable global collaboration and knowledge exchange. It has underscored the vital role of geospatial professionals in tackling urgent global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity conservation, and digital governance. Additionally, the event reinforced our collective commitment to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring a smarter and more resilient world for future generations.