Conference on Spatial Data Infrastructure in Hong Kong The half-day Conference on Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) in Hong Kong was held on March 18. The event aimed to promote SDI in Hong Kong. We had the honour to have Ir Dr Hon Samson Tam Wai Ho, member of the Legislative Council (Information Technology), to be the keynote speaker. The Conference was co-organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors, the IT Division of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and the Department of Land Surveying and Geoinformatics of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The conference created a forum to foster collaboration in the industry of geoinformation and its applications. It drove the development of SDI in Hong Kong. ISM visited the HKIS A delegation of 15 members from the Geomatic and Land Surveying Division of the Institute of Surveyors, Malaysia (ISM) visited HKIS on March 18. The delegation consisted of a good fix of Malaysian surveyors from government agencies, academic institutes and private companies. They were warmly received by our Senior Vice President, Vice President, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Land Surveying Division. One of the purposes of the visit was to study the situation of utility mapping in Hong Kong. There were very good exchanges of ideas between the parties. After the meeting at the HKIS, we guided the delegation to visit the Hong Kong Polytechnic University which would organize a new degree course in geomatics with specialism in utility surveying. We also showed the delegation the operation of a private company which specialized in utility survey. Utility survey is an area for potential growth for our profession. We can make use of our existing strength to serve the users in the utility industry. At the same time, land surveyors should also update our knowledge in detection of underground objects and the operations of the stakeholders involved in the utility industry. Site Visit for University Students - Infrastructure Works at Anderson Road The university students who joined the Poster Design Com petition visit e d t h e sit e of a n infrastructure development project on February 27. They witnessed how the land surveyor worked with the engineers to carry out the site formation works. The project team showed the students how the works were carried out and in particular the measures to reduce and monitor the environmental impact caused by the blasting work to the residents living next to the work site. The land surveyor on site demonstrated using laser scanning to measure the rock surface for calculating the accurate amount and location of the explosive to be used in blasting. The students expressed that they enjoyed the visit and gained better understanding of our profession.