Water Wheel January/February 2011

Abstract

Young hydrologist left without professional home I would like to bring to the attention of the hydrological community of South Africa, the outcome of an application by a young hydrologist for profes­ sional registration with SACNASP (South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions). This person has a first degree in agricultural engineering, an MSc in Water Resources Manage­ ment from WATERNET and a PhD focused on hydrological modelling uncertainties from Rhodes University. His application was rejected twice (once after an appeal) on the grounds that his undergraduate qualification is not in geography or geology/earth science. He has been informed that he can re­apply under the ‘R ecognition of Prior Learning and Experience’ option after a minimum of 10 years continuous appropriate vocational experience. This r epresents a serious prob ­ lem for many young hydrologists in South Africa who have been trained as scientists rather than as engineers (who obviously have their own professional body). It is also a problem from two other perspectives.

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