Education, information and collaboration. That’s what many IGS members say they value most about being part of our learned Society.
We spoke to members at the recent 5th GeoAmericas conference in Toronto, Canada, about what they love about being part of the IGS. They were among some 800 attendees from more than 46 countries, with individual, Corporate and Young Members alike benefiting from four days of talks, courses and workshops at one of the most important regional conferences in the IGS calendar.
Among those was Deepaksh Gulati, a member through Layfield Canada Ltd’s Corporate membership of the IGS, where he works in technical/product development.
“The IGS brings great value, it’s a very active organisation, and a great way to learn about what’s happening in the industry and the needs of the market. It’s good to develop more contacts within the industry. The opportunities are unlimited and with environmental concerns there will be more growth. Geosynthetics are a growing field and it’s a good time [to get involved]; the world is getting serious about climate change and it’s an upward trajectory for jobs and opportunities.”
Professor Juliana Reinert, of Queen’s University, Canada, and member of IGS North America and IGS Brazil, had several reasons for valuing the IGS – one of them career-defining.
“Networking, support and education. Geosynthetics are complicated and the IGS helps with providing samples for learning. I started teaching in 2014 and I did the first Educate the Educators program – it was the first time I felt empowered enough to teach geosynthetics.”
Legendary geosynthetics practitioner Professor Jorge Zornberg said both experienced engineers and those just entering the industry were equally valued in the IGS.
“The IGS is a learned society that has the right mixture of designers, industry, manufacturers, academics and we all have equally strong voices. We are putting an emphasis on Young Members and the IGS Foundation is making a difference,” he said.
Tatiana Olinic, from the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, has been an IGS member for four . Her husband Ernest Olinic is President of IGS Romania. Her message was clear.
“You must stay in contact with the latest research and be up-to-date with everything involving your work; this is also why I attend the conferences. I’m very involved in all societies; this allows us to work together and exchange research, or research together,” she said.
Watch here for what more members think:
New to the IGS or need a refresher? Watch our chat with IGS Chief Executive John Kraus who gives an introduction about the organization, its aims and ambitions, and how members can get more involved.
Got a question or feedback about membership? Get in touch with the IGS Secretariat Manager Elise Oatman at igssec@geosyntheticssociety.org.
