About Survey Institute of Zimbabwe (SIZ)

Mission Statement: To continuously develop and raise the profile of geo-spatial engineering practitioners to enable sustainable delivery of professional services.

Objectives:

• To promote interest in geo-spatial engineering and enhance the usefulness of this profession to the public.
• To further the professional and technical knowledge, thereby enhancing the status of its members.
• To establish a system of grading.
• To promote interaction and networking.
• To promote honorable practice by controlling and exercising discipline over the professional conduct of members.

Structure and Management:

The Survey Institute of Zimbabwe (SIZ) is a voluntary association of surveyors managed by its members, elected each year at the Annual General Meeting. The institute represents all disciplines of surveying in Zimbabwe, including Land Survey, Engineering and Topographical Survey, Spatial Information Management, and Mining Survey. The institute operates in accordance with its constitution and reserves the right to incorporate other disciplines as needed.

Historical Context:

The Institute of Land Surveyors was first formed in Harare in October 1928, evolving into the Rhodesian Institute of Surveyors in 1967 and later becoming the Survey Institute of Zimbabwe post-independence. A significant milestone for SIZ was the facilitation of Degree and Diploma programs in surveying at the University of Zimbabwe and Harare Polytechnic, respectively, starting in 1985.

Key Activities and Functions:

• Production of site plans for design and reference purposes in engineering projects.
• Cadastral surveys including new land parcels, subdivision, consolidation, relocation of missing beacons, and resolution of boundary disputes.
• Storing, managing, and displaying data with spatial relationships in a computer environment.
• Ensuring the safety and productivity of mines through precise planning and control of tunneling and cutting operations.

Membership:

SIZ offers a platform for learning about the surveying profession and staying updated with international trends. Membership categories include Student, Graduate or Technician, Member, Fellow, Life Member, Affiliated Member, and Honorary Member.