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SYMPOSIUM 2024  15th  16th May 2024

 

Press Release

 

Symposium Explores Innovation and Technological Developments in Saint Lucia's Built Environment

 

Castries, Saint Lucia  May 20, 2024: The Institute of Surveyors (Saint Lucia) hosted a successful two-day symposium on May 15th and 16th, 2024, under the theme Professions in the Built Environment, and the Impacts of Innovation and Technological Developments in the Small Island Developing State of Saint Lucia. The event brought together professionals from Architecture, and engineering, Surveying sectors, such as Valuation Surveyors, Land Surveyors, and Quantity Surveyors, Alternate Dispute Resolution Professionals, Insurance and Financial Institutions including Credit Unions to discuss the challenges faced by professionals in the Built Environment and the transformative potential of technology in their respective fields.

 

The symposium was masterfully led by Mr. Tedburt Theobalds, Chief Executive Officer at Theobalds and Associates, and Immediate Past President the ISSL. In his opening remarks, Mr. Theobalds emphasized the importance of integrating new technologies within professional practices and strengthening relationships with financial services sectors.

 

In her opening remarks, Mrs. Tryce Loctar-Polius, President of the ISSL stressed that Professionals are faced with several unresolved challenges stemming from the lack of collaborative efforts and understanding of the role of various professionals in the Built Environment. This event was geared towards sensitizing the participants from the various entities to the hindrances in providing professional services in the Real Market. As such, it was imperative to have a two-day event for meaningful discussions with stakeholders from The Institute of Surveyors (Saint Lucia) Inc, the Architects Association Saint Lucia, The Association of Professional Engineers of Saint Lucia, Government Departments, Financial Institutions including the Credit Unions, Insurance Companies, Contractors, Statutory Organizations, IT Specialists, Realtors, Business Developers, Clients, Representative from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and the public to emphasize the issues regarding the National Real Property.

 

Key Presentations and Topics

 

RICS Special Presentation:

  1. The Future of Architecture in Saint Lucia:
    • Presenter: Mr. Mark Hennecart, Architect, B.A. Arch., Dip. Arch, Science
    • Focus: The Future of Architecture in Saint Lucia: moving toward 2030 with sustainability and Eco-Innovation
  2. RICS Special Presentation
    • Presenter: Mr. Shardon Haye, Chartered Quantity Surveyor, Member of Americas World Regional Board, Representative of the Americas, MRICS, MJIQS, MCIArb
    • Focus: Overview of global best practices and their applicability to Saint Lucia's built environment.
  3. Current Challenges and Technological Impacts on Engineering:
    • Presenter: Mr. John Peters, Professional Engineer
    • Topic: What are the current challenges faced by Engineers? How does innovative Technology Impact Engineering in the Small Island Developing State of Saint Lucia?
  4. Innovations in Cadastral Surveying:
    • Presenter: Dr. Charisse Charles, Ph.D., Geomatics, Land Administration, Chartered Land Surveyor, Professor of Land Surveying (Virtual Presentation)
    • Topic: Innovations in Cadastral Surveying applicable to Small Island Developing States like Saint Lucia.
  5. Role of the Land Registry and the Application of Innovation:
    • Presenter: Mr. Lester Martyr, MSc. Cadastre & Land, Licensed Land Surveyor, LLB., Barrister, Lincoln's Inn Attorney at Law, Saint Lucia, FISSL
    • Topic: Roles of the Land Registry  The Introduction of Innovative Practices in Land Management moving forward.
  6. New Internal Appraisal Concepts:
    • Presenter: Mr. Celsus Baptiste, Registered Valuer, Chartered Valuation Surveyor, Land Administration Consultant, MRICS, FISSL
    • Topic: New Internal Appraisal Concept and its Adaptation in Small Island Developing States (SIDs).
  7. Project Development and Technology:
    • Presenter: Mr. Lancelot Arnold, MSc. Maritime Affairs (Port Management), BSc. Economics and Finance
    • Topic: The Project Development Plan  Project Impact and its initiation of Innovative Technology and Technical Development to the Built and Business Environment to Saint Lucia and the Caribbean.
  8. Risk and Cost Management in Quantity Surveying:
    • Presenter: Mr. Winsbert Felix, Chartered Quantity Surveyor, MRICS
    • Topic: The Quantity Surveying Discipline and the Significance of Risks and Cost Management.
  9. Challenges Faced by Realtors:
    • Presenter: Mr. Lenin Volney, Managing Broker and Sales Agent, MSc, Bcomm, LLB, LEC
    • Topic: What are the Challenges faced by Realtors in the Built Environment and Business Sector? What are the Impacts of the Application of Innovative Technology and Technical Development in Real Property in Saint Lucia?
  10. Impacts of Innovative Technology on Professional Services:
    • Presenter: Dr. Lyndell St. Ville, Chief Technology Officer, Ph.D. Computer Science, MSc. Advanced Information Systems
    • Topic: What are the impacts of the application of Innovative Technology on the services provided by various Professionals in the Built Environment and Business Sector? Are there Challenges or Benefits?

While the topics of ADR and Arbitration are pivotal presentations, the presentations by the ISSL President  Mrs. Tryce Loctar-Polius and Immediate Past President  Mr. Tedburt Theoblads, unfortunately had to be truncated due to the limitation of time. One of the factors limiting the time was the full involvement of the participants during some of the Q&A sessions that were engaging and saw a lot of audience participation.
 

Conclusion

 

The President underscored the critical need for fostering collaboration among various professional services within the built environment. By leveraging shared expertise and innovative technologies, Saint Lucia can achieve sustainable development and economic growth. The Institute of Surveyors (Saint Lucia) remains dedicated to advancing its members professional development and fostering collaboration amongst the major stakeholders and effective feedback and support from government authorities and the financial institutions and clients. In addition, participants of the ISSL Symposium 2024 received 10.5 hours of Continued Professional Development.

 

Tryce Loctar-Polius
President, ISSL