Professor Louis van Rooy, an Extraordinary Professor from the Department of Geology at the University of Pretoria (UP), has recently been awarded the Hans Cloos Medal for 2022 by the International Association of Engineering Geology and the Environment (IAEG).

This medal, awarded biannually, is the senior award presented by IAEG, given to an engineering geologist of outstanding merit in commemorating the ‘founder of geomechanics’.

“Receiving this medal, the highest award from the international engineering geology profession, is immensely humbling. I see this as the culmination of my lifelong effort to promote this field of science, locally and in Africa. In the process, I made very good friends in Africa and internationally. These interactions enriched my views and knowledge, which I could again transfer to local students and guide relevant research focusing on solutions for African conditions. To be the only ever recipient from Africa is not only due to my efforts but rests on the support from colleagues and fellow African engineering geologists working hard to increase the relevance of engineering geology locally and adapt to our unique conditions. The medal adds to a highly satisfying and rewarding career in teaching engineering geology at UP,” Prof Van Rooy explained what this award means to him. The recipient of this medal is a person of international repute who has made a significant contribution to engineering geology in their written papers or the development of engineering geology.

Prof Van Rooy served as president of SAIEG and vice-president for Africa of the IAEG. During his tenure in the latter, he travelled the continent, engaged with other countries and was instrumental in establishing national groups in various west and north African countries. He is the first receiver of this prestigious award from the southern hemisphere and Africa.

(Due to COVID-19, the physical presentation has been postponed to September 2023 at the international congress to be held in China).

The South African Institute for Engineering and Environmental Geologists (SAIEG) is a national voluntary group representing natural scientists practising engineering and environmental geology. It has gained recognition as a Voluntary Association from the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP). It is affiliated with the International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment as the South African National Group.