Abstract
Professional memberships are often regarded as strategic investments for career advancement, knowledge exchange, and professional recognition. The Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM), established in 1961, serves as a leading professional body representing various branches of surveying in Malaysia, including Land Surveying, Quantity Surveying, Building Surveying, and Property Valuation. However, as the landscape of geospatial sciences and related professions evolves, questions arise as to whether membership in RISM continues to offer tangible benefits to all professionals, particularly those working in emerging and interdisciplinary domains such as Geographic Information Science (GIS), geoinformatics, and spatial data analytics. This article critically examines both the rationale for joiningand the grounds for opting out of RISM membership from various perspectives — professional, academic, and individual.
1. Introduction
Professional bodies such as RISM play an integral role in shaping industry standards, fostering networking, and supporting continuous professional development (CPD). However, as professional boundaries expand, it is essential to evaluate the relevance and value proposition of maintaining such memberships, particularly for individuals whose careers diverge from traditional surveying roles.
This article systematically outlines reasons for and against RISM membership to help professionals make an informed decision based on their career trajectory, needs, and values.
2. Reasons To Be a RISM Member
2.1 Professional Recognition and Credibility
RISM membership serves as a formal recognition of one’s professional qualifications and expertise. For professionals engaged in land surveying, quantity surveying, valuation, and building surveying, RISM certification is often recognized by public and private sector employers in Malaysia. The designation enhances one’s credibility, signaling adherence to ethical standards and industry best practices (RISM, 2022).
2.2 Networking and Collaborative Opportunities
RISM provides access to a community of like-minded professionals through conferences, seminars, workshops, and technical committees. For practitioners in traditional surveying disciplines, such networks can be instrumental for collaborative projects, consultancy work, and policy engagement. Furthermore, participation in regional and international collaborations via sister organizations (e.g., FIG, ASEAN Flag) extends professional reach.
2.3 Access to Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
RISM regularly organizes CPD programs, courses, and technical talks that help members stay updated with legislative changes, technological advancements (such as LiDAR, GNSS), and industry trends. This is particularly valuable for registered surveyors seeking license renewal under the Land Surveyors Board (LJT) or valuation professionalsregulated by the Board of Valuers, Appraisers, Estate Agents, and Property Managers (BOVAEP).
2.4 Professional Advocacy and Voice
As a professional body, RISM actively engages with regulatory authorities, government agencies, and policymakers to advocate for the interests of the surveying profession. Membership thus provides a platform to contribute towards national development and shape the direction of professional standards and regulations.
3. Reasons Not To Be a RISM Member
3.1 Limited Relevance for Emerging Geospatial Fields
For professionals in Geographic Information Science (GIS), geoinformatics, remote sensing, spatial data science, and web/mobile GIS application development, the offerings of RISM may appear less aligned with contemporary practice. These fields increasingly emphasise computational methods, open-source software (e.g., QGIS, GDAL/OGR), data analytics, and interdisciplinary applications (e.g., urban informatics, environmental modelling), which are not core focuses of RISM’s divisions.
Instead, associations such as Institution of Geospatial and Remote Sensing Malaysia (IGRSM), or international GIS communities (e.g., URISA, ISPRS) might offer more targeted benefits.
3.2 Cost versus Benefit Consideration
Membership fees, including annual dues and CPD participation costs, may not justify the value derived — especially for individuals whose professional engagements do not require formal accreditation through RISM. Furthermore, penalties for lapsed payments can accumulate significantly, as in cases of prolonged inactivity, which might deter professionals from maintaining long-term affiliation when returns are marginal.
3.3 Availability of Alternative Professional Platforms
The growing availability of online learning platforms (e.g., Coursera, ESRI Academy), specialized technical societies (e.g., IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society), and open-source geospatial communities (e.g., OSGeo, FOSS4G) diminishes the exclusive value proposition of RISM’s CPD offerings. For academics and researchers, peer-reviewed journals, international conferences, and research consortia may provide more relevant knowledge exchange platforms.
3.4 Divergence of Professional Interests
For professionals whose work lies at the intersection of computer science, environmental science, urban planning, or data analytics, RISM’s traditional surveying-centric scope may not adequately address interdisciplinary needs. The lack of structured support for emerging areas such as geospatial artificial intelligence (GeoAI), big geospatial data, or agent-based spatial modeling can render membership less meaningful.
4. Conclusion
Deciding whether to maintain or discontinue RISM membership is contingent upon individual career goals, professional alignment, and anticipated benefits. For practitioners in conventional surveying domains, RISM continues to offer significant value through professional recognition, regulatory engagement, and community support. However, for professionals increasingly engaged in GIS, geospatial data science, and interdisciplinary applications, alternative affiliations may offer greater relevance and utility.
Ultimately, the decision should be a strategic evaluation based on one’s professional identity, practice domain, and long-term aspirations.
References
Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM). (2022). About RISM. Retrieved from https://www.rism.org.my