Personalia
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This page includes information about people in and around FIG such as new appointments and positions in FIG member associations and other organisations, visits and other matters that are of interest to FIG and its members.
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Frank Tierolff, chairman of the board of Kadaster,
Netherlands, passed away on Wednesday, 2 July, due to a
heart attack. He was only 57 years old. FIG sends its
condolences and deepest sympathy to his family, Kadaster,
colleagues and partners. It was a shock to read this sad
news, and at a far too early age. Frank was always
extremely supportive to FIG and the FIG Community and he
will be missed deeply in and around FIG. He was central in
the preparations of the online FIG e-Working Week in 2021
and has been a faithful supporter to FIG over many years.
May he rest in peace. Read more in the obituary from Kadaster Published 3 July 2025 |
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Henni A Kanstrup started working in
FIG on 1 June 2025. Henni has the title of Communication, Project and Events Coordinator and will in her work in the FIG office use her good communication skills, experience with organisation of events and other kinds of projects. Henni comes from a position as International Project Coordinator at the International Department at Zealand Business College where she has been for the past 5 years and until recently, when the international activities were scaled down significantly. She has a bachelor of arts in Humanities in Musicology and English from the University of Copenhagen and is currently finalising a Technological Diploma in Project Management from the Technical University of Denmark. Previously she has been flight attendant, project coordinator at the Royal Danish Library, and course administrator. She is excited to work more closely together with surveyors and geospatial experts as she has a special interest in astronomy and space and has a telescope in her garden for astrophotography! In her spare time she is board member of IDA Space, a volunteer group under the Danish Society of Engineers, organising events and lectures for peers. Published June 2025 |
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The Milefsky Award is made annually to an individual or
organisation that has advanced boundary-making or cross-border
cooperation. Mr Shrestha has used his background in surveying to
build a career devoted to interpreting and communicating
borders in South Asia’s mountainous, contested, terrain. He
has been a long term participant at FIG events over the
years and has been active in various activities, primarily
related to boundary-making. He has represented Nepal in FIG
for many years, too. Among other things he has contributed
to FIG Publications
No. 59
on International Boundary Making and
No. 76
on International Boundaries on Unstable Ground. At the
FIG Regional Conference
2024 in Nepal, although above the age of 80, he was
still very active in the sessions and event. FIG
Congratulates Mr Buddhi Narayan Shresta. Read more about the award Published January 2025 |
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FIG has received the following obituary through
James Kavanagh RICS: The UK geospatial and surveying professions were saddened to learn of the death of Rob Mahoney FRICS on Fri 17th Jan after a lengthy battle with cancer. Rob was that rare thing, a true trailblazer in his profession, someone who seemed to fill every day of his life with activity and one who reached out to others and offered support and mentoring (myself included) for many. Read the full obituary Rob was actively involved in several FIG activities, espeically in FIG Commission 3, in Working Groups, with mulitple papers and presentations of which some were published as the FIG Article of the Month and as a splendid session chair. Louise Friis-Hansen Published January 2025 |
Surv K. H. Osei-Asante, FGhIS, passed away in June 2024. He was the 40th President of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS) and a member of Commission 10 of the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG). He was appointed the Chair of Working Group 2, Commission 10 at the Working Week 2023 in Orlando, Florida, USA.
Before taking up the Chair of Working Group 2, he was the Global Chair of the International Cost Engineering Council (ICEC) from 2018 to 2020 after his role as Director Region 3, Africa and Deputy Global Chair.
Surv K.H Osei-Asante can be rightfully described as a colossus for his contributions to Quantity Surveying and Cost Engineering in Ghana, Africa and Globally. His efforts to uplift the Construction Industry in Ghana was phenomenal.
Surv K.H Osei-Asante was instrumental in bridging the relationship between FIG and ICEC and will be remembered for his selfless service to promoting the Surveying profession as a whole.
May his soul rest in peace.
Mercy T. Iyortyer
Chairperson Commission 10
For: Commission 10
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After 12 years in FIG Office Claudia Stormoen Pedersen has decided to resign from FIG. She has been working as Event and Support Manager and has over the years worked concentrated and steady on ensuring the success of FIG events. She has decided that she would like to spend more time with her children while they are still young; a decision that has our full respect. We wish her all the best in her future life. Claudia had her last day in the FIG Office on 28 June 2024. |
![]() Roy Swanston and his wife Doreen visited FIG Office and Director Louise Friis-Hansen on 27 June 2024 |
Roy Swanston, UK, was Secretary General of
FIG for the British Bureau 1996-1999 at the time when FIG
still had the Bureau system. Roy had not been back to
Copenhagen since a Bureau Meeting was held in Copenhagen at
the inauguration of the FIG Office. The decision of the
establishment of an office was made by the General Assembly
in Singapore in 1997. It was interesting to hear stories
from "back then" - the history of FIG is truly amazing, and
as today built on many very active both individuals and
organisations who carry on the FIG spirit and keep FIG
relevant in and around the profession. Thank you Roy and Doreen for coming by the office! |
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OCE informs: We are deeply
saddened to convey the sudden passing, on 28 February 2024
at the age of 66, of our dear friend and colleague Joseph
Pascual, President of the French Ordre des
géomètres-experts (OGE). A native of Agen and a surveyor recognised by all his colleagues, Joseph Pascual devoted his entire career to promoting the profession. He was President of the Bordeaux Regional Council of OGE between 2012 and 2021, and First Vice-President of the Higher Council of OGE between 2019 and his election as President of the institution in 2021. In June 2023, he was unanimously re-elected for a further two-year term. It was with deep sadness we got this news, and FIG President together with all in FIG send our sincere condolences to his family. The formal announcement in French |
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IBRU, Durham University’s Centre for Borders Research, has awarded its fifth annual Raymond Milefsky Award to Dr. Haim Srebro, After being nominated by FIG. The Milefsky Award is made annually to an individual or organisation that has advanced boundary-making or cross-border cooperation. Dr. Haim Srebro was nominated by FIG based on his long term work for FIG and in general on boundary-making practice. He founded and chairs the Working Group on International Boundaries of FIG. He has been main editor of the recent FIG Publications No. 59 on International Boundary Making and No. 76 on International Boundaries on Unstable Ground. |
![]() Prof. Holger Magel with wife Anselma and daughter Ester at the event |
The Bavarian State Medal for special services to the environment and consumer protection is awarded annually by the Bavarian State Minister for Environment and Consumer Protection to persons, associations or municipalities who have made outstanding contributions to nature and environmental protection. The State Medal is the highest distinction that the Bavarian State has to bestow for “special services to the environment”. Read more |
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It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of FIG Honorary Member Jim Smith. Only 1½ months ago Jim attended the FIG General Assembly 2021 with two different interviews - one due to the fact that he was appointed Honorary Member of FIG and the second, together with Jan De Graeve, to inform about the seven volumes on the History of Surveying that they have worked on over the past 35 years. |
On 11 June 2021 Wally Youngs FIG Honorary Member
passed away. Wally was secretary general during the Canadian term
of office 1985-1987 and a vice president during the term of Finnish
office 1988-1991.
Read
obituary received from Kenn Allred
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Dr. Wilfried SCHLEIDER, born 17 August 1935 in Bremen, Germany, passed away on 14 February, 2021. Dr. Schleider served as Chairman of FIG Commission 4 on Hydrography from 1994 until 1998, and was member of FIG/IHO TACC with projects Help for Selfdoing in Maputo and until 2004 in Dar Es Salaam. He received his Dr. degree from the University of Hannover. |
![]() Steven Frank at the General Assembly 2012 in Rome, Italy |
It is with sadness that we can inform that Dr. Steven Frank, retired Surveying Engineering professor at New Mexico State University, passed away on Thursday morning, January 21st 2021. Steven Frank was a well-known and respected personality in FIG. He served as chair of FIG Commission 2 on Professional Education for the term 2011-2014 and had already before that time been deeply engaged in the work of FIG and the commission. |
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It is with sadness that we must inform that Prof. Dr. Dalal Alnaggar, Egypt, passed away on 2 February 2020. Prof Dalal Alnaggar was well known and highly respected within FIG, and it is a big loss for the international surveying community. Dalal was Vice President for FIG 2007-2012 and she was Conference Director for FIG Working Week 2005. Further to these two official posts, she has been a regular participant at many FIG events and has been a true inspiration for many; and was engaged especially in the establishment and development of FIG Young Surveyors Network. |
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Unfortunately the news was brought to us that Clifford Dann passed away on 19 september 2017 at a respectable age of 90. Clifford Dann was a well respected honorary member of FIG. |
There is a memorial service for Clifford being held in London in April
The Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving for the life and work of Clifford Dann will take place in St. Margaret’s Church, Westminster at 2.30 pm on Tuesday 10th April 2018, followed by refreshments in the Lecture Hall of RICS Headquarters.
For security purposes, entrance to the Church will be an all ticket affair. To apply for tickets either:
Go to this link, or:
Write enclosing a stamped self-addressed envelope to Mr M Arnoldi, Room 10, 20 Dean’s Yard, London SW1P 3PA. Tickets will be posted by 28th March.
You are advised to retain your ticket as it will also give access to the RICS building at 12 Great George Street, Parliament Square, London SW1P 3AD for the refreshments.
You may find it expedient to deposit coats or bags at reception in the RICS Headquarters prior to the ceremony and then walk across Parliament Square to St. Margaret’s Church for the service, because there will be a bag search on arrival at the church. For this purpose, the RICS will be open from 1.30 pm as entrance to St. Margaret’s Church will be from 1.45 pm.
Honorary Member Jo Henssen has passed away 7 September 2015
In memory of Dr. Ron Adler - Survey of Israel Director General 1971-1992Dr. Ron Adler was born in Warsaw Poland in
1927. Ron served as a surveyor in the British army during World War
II. He arrived at Israel in 1953 after finalizing his B.A degree in
Geodesy from Redding University. Ron got his M.A from Ohio
University in 1963, and Doctorate from the Technion in 1970. In 1972 Dr. Adler organized the FIG working conference in
Tel-Aviv. This was the first FIG event that surveyors attending from
abroad hosted in Israel and at Israeli surveyor's homes.
After his retirement in 1992, Ron continued his academic career, published several books, and served as visitor professor at some universities. In 2008-2009 he served as a honored member in the organization team for the Eilat 2009 FIG working week. To our grief, Dr. Adler passed away in August 2015. Ronen Regev, Director General September 2015 Secretary General of PAIGH Santiago Borrero steps down
Prof. Holger Magel receives The German Honour "Bundesverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse"
FIG Past President Prof. Holger Magel appointed TUM Emeritus of Excellence
Past FIG President Carl-Olof Ternryd has passed away 8 July 2013
Alan Wright unexpectedly passed away June 2013
President of the mediterranean Union of Surveyors, Aziz Hilali appointed Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
FIG Honorary President William “Rad” Radlinski passed away 15 February 2013
FIG Honorary Member Seppo Härmälä passed away 3 January 2013
The passing of Mr. C. H. (Charlie) Weir
The Passing of Professor Dr. Volker Böder
Honorary Member Milan Klimes, Czech Republic, passed away 15 January 2012
David Neale of Trinidad and Tobago passed away on 7 June 2011
FIG Honorary President Holger Magel receives Austrian OrderFIG President Stig Enemark receives prestigious Danish OrderLouise Friis-Hansen started as the new Office Manager in FIG
Prof. Holger Magel, Honorary President of FIG, receives an Order by the Royal Government of CambodiaFIG Working Week 2008 Local Organising Committee meets for the last time
Matt Higgins listed among 50 top figures in GNSS
Vice President Ken Allred Elected to Alberta Legislature
FIG Honorary Member, Professor Emeritus Jean-Marie Becker passed away
Prof. Holger Magel, Honorary President of FIG, receives the Bavarian Order of Merit (Bayerischen Verdienstorden)
Richard Meyer, Honorary Member of FIG, passed away 20 February 2007
Prof. Richard K. Bullard, FRICS Anglia Polytechnic University passed awayProf. Holger Magel receives the Soldner Medal
Prof. Holger Magel awarded with a high Bavarian medal
Prof. Dr hab. inz. Kazimierz Czarnecki passed away 23 August 2006
Prof. Willem Baarda, Honorary Member of FIG passed away - In Memoriam
VisitsFIG Working Week 2012 preparations in good progressPresident Stig Enemark meets with Honorary President Peter Dale
ICES celebrates Royal Charter event in September 2009 and becomes the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES)
President Stig Enemark attends the XXI Congress of Nordic Surveyors in Aalborg, Denmark, 5-7 August 2009
President Stig Enemark visits the Institution of Surveyors Uganda in July 2009MAKLI in Finland celebrates it 50th Anniversary 23 April 2009
FIG Director meets Intergraph and OVG in Vienna 12 January 2009Vice-President Allred Makes Presentation at Lund UniversityVisit from NSW, Australia to Denmark and FIG OfficeFIG President visits Slovenia
FIG receives ESRI "Special Achievement in GIS" |