Latest update January 20th, 2025 4:00 AM
Book chronicling 65 years of civil engineering in Guyana being written
– UG students to use as reference
A book on civil engineering, chronicling major works in Guyana over the last 65 years, is to be written with officials hoping that it will become a key reference for students of the University of Guyana.
According to the Guyana Association of Professional Engineers (GAPE), the project will be undertaken by one of the most senior and honoured engineers in Guyana, Philip Allsopp who did his undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the Imperial College of Science and Technology in London.
The book, entitled “An Outline of Civil Engineering Developments in Guyana will highlight technical information on a number of major projects between 1945 to 2010.
Philip Allsopp
“It is intended that the book will not only be a faithful record of developing achievements but also an inspiration to potential engineers to relate the progress of civilisation to the application of civil engineering expertise,” the association explained in a statement.
It would, in effect, give meaning and inspiration to the application of civil engineering to Guyana’s development.
“The inclusion of mechanical and electrical engineering will be duly recognised, but not detailed, as these are considered to be part of the expression of “civil” in the term of civil engineering. It is important for the students of civil engineering at any level – at the university or in the early stages of professional practice – to understand his role in the universal movement towards creating conditions for human development, habitation and mental stimulus.”
This, GAPE said, would explain the significance of practical and meaningful research not only in the university but also in engineering practice.
The book will among other things address some of the highlights of Guyana’s history over the period as far as civil engineering is concerned.
These include the Canje swing bridge and the Denham suspension bridge and hydro-power- Tumatumari, Sweco and the Amaila Montreal Engineering Studies.
Regarding roads, economic studies and researches, both local and foreign; the water conservancies and bauxite and manganese extraction will be discussed.
Also to be highlighted will be the railway development in the colonial era; the canal system for drainage and new material for roads and bridges.
The role of the Guyana National Engineering Corporation in shipbuilding will also be examined.
According to GAPE, the role played by GuySuCo, GUYMINE, the Demerara Bauxite Company and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) in enhancing the engineering profession will also be raised.
Allsopp returned to Guyana in 1954 and worked as engineer in the Public Works Department of the government.
Between then and 1972, he held positions of Construction Engineer, Executive Engineer, Chief Works and Hydraulics Officer, Chief Engineer Roads Division and was appointed Technical Specialist in the Ministry of Economic Development. He retired in 1978 and into private consultancy before being invited to join the Diplomatic Corps and later was appointed Ambassador to Brazil, a post he left in 1993.
He is a Fellow of GAPE, a Life Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and a Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers
GAPE disclosed that the book will end with the chapter -“The Future, Nationally and Internationally” which will discuss why Guyana, of all the CARICOM countries, has the most varied conditions for attracting engineering research.
“We therefore have the potential for developing international interest in the development of engineering practice through research into its varied conditions of hydraulic engineering, including sea defences, geo-technical engineering, hydro-power and even the design of roads under unusual conditions. We have great potential for agriculture and industrial development.”
For materials, information will be obtained from the Public Records office in the United Kingdom as well as records from the Crown Agents for Overseas Governments and Administrations who were responsible for some works during the colonial era. Local archives will also be accessed.
“It is anticipated that on completion, this book will be used as reference by engineers and university students. GAPE is urging all members of the construction industry and public and private organisations to support this venture.”
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