Institution of Surveyors Australia (Queensland Division) Bicentennial Education Foundation

The Institution of Surveyors Australia (Queensland Division) Bicentennial Education Foundation (ISAQ BEF) is a nonprofit organization based in Queensland, Australia, dedicated to supporting and advancing the surveying and spatial sciences profession. It operates as a charitable foundation with a focus on education and professional development within the surveying community.

Background and Purpose

ISAQ BEF is affiliated with the Institution of Surveyors Australia, Queensland Division, and was established to commemorate the bicentennial celebrations while fostering educational opportunities in surveying and spatial disciplines. The Foundation’s mission is to nurture and cultivate the next generation of spatial professionals through scholarships and grants that support academic excellence and research in these fields.

Activities and Programs

The Foundation provides financial assistance primarily through endowed scholarships and research grants to students pursuing careers in surveying and spatial science. Notably, it supports undergraduate students and honours research projects, awarding multiple grants to facilitate high-quality academic research and to encourage the development of future industry leaders.

As part of its commitment to education, ISAQ BEF has supported:

• Two undergraduate surveying and spatial students with endowed scholarships.
• Three honours research project grants valued at $1,000 each.

These initiatives underline the Foundation’s focus on fostering talent and innovation within the surveying profession in Queensland and Australia more broadly.

Historical Context and Relations

The ISAQ BEF is linked historically to the Institution of Surveyors Australia, Queensland Division, an organization with deep roots dating back to early surveying activities in the region. The Queensland Division has preserved extensive records of surveying practices, seminars, and institutional development from the early 1900s through the late 20th century.

The Foundation also connects to the wider legacy of Queensland’s surveying history, which includes notable figures such as Queensland’s Surveyors General, a position established in 1859 that played a key role in the state's development. These historical ties emphasize the Foundation’s role in continuing the tradition of professional excellence and leadership in surveying.

Governance and Registration

The Institution of Surveyors Australia (Queensland Division) Bicentennial Education Foundation is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ABN 23832388550RR0001), operating under Australian nonprofit regulations to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective allocation of resources to educational programs.

The ISAQ BEF remains a pivotal institution within Queensland’s surveying community, championing educational advancement and supporting the professional pipeline that sustains Australia's spatial and surveying industries.

[1] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/af3b0309-39af-e811-a95e-000d3ad24c60/profile [2] https://collections.slq.qld.gov.au/node/459 [3] https://www.isaqbef.org.au/about [4] https://find.slv.vic.gov.au/discovery/fulldisplay/alma993224183607636/61SLV_INST:SLV [5] https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/arts/heritage/museum-of-lands/surveying/surveyors/surveyors-general