Written by: Ann Teoh
Associate Professor Dr. R. Vigna KumaranThe head of KDU’s School of Engineering, Dr. Satesh Namasivayam, had invited a young, experienced engineer, who is also the Deputy Dean of Graduate Studies at Universiti Tenaga Nasional, to enlighten engineering lecturers about professional registration as Chartered Engineers. This engineer is none other than Associate Professor Dr. R. Vigna Kumaran, who is also the Chairman of the Institution of Engineering and Technology – Malaysia Network.
Why be a Chartered Engineer?“The benefits are not only numerous, but self-satisfying when you have attained this internationally-recognised professional qualification. It proves your competency and experience as a qualified engineer, you have the opportunity to network with other professional engineers and share/exchange information, increase your sphere of influence both at work and in the industry, it may leap-frog your career prospects and inevitably, better income potential as well as enjoy a career of life-long learning and personal development,” Dr. Vigna shared.
He also added that the faculty of a university college would require at least three members of its staff to be registered Chartered Engineers (CEng) or Professional Engineers (PEng).
It's a planned journey
As an engineer has to be in touch with technology, the latest discovery in engineering science, to develop, create and innovate designs or systems constantly, manage resources, exercise professional judgement and solve problems, the status of being a Chartered Engineer is a journey that has to be achieved, with proven competencies in professional practice, training and education. "It's not an arduous journey; it just needs some planning, focus on the goals, and work towards them," Dr Vigna advised.
It is no mean feat, but it is not impossible to achieve the credentials of CEng after your name. The criterias are based on your academic qualifications, professional development, experience and competencies, as well as to present yourself at an interview or professional review , which will be conducted by Chartered engineers. This exercise is carried out to assess the candidate’s competence as an engineer.
Academic QualificationsYou will need to find out if your engineering degree is accredited by the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)/Institute of Engineers Malaysia (IEM), or by the Engineering Council, U.K. (www.engineering-council.org.uk), or by the local government, for example, the Malaysian Qualifications Agency.
Professional Development• The estimated duration of recognised professional development required is 4 - 6 years for Chartered Engineer
• Be committed to continuous learning and improvement
Competency LevelYou are required to keep evidence or proof of your work (when you atttend an interview). This can be in the form of your portfolio, business projects/plans, proposals, reviews and others.
Dr. Vigna also furnished some information about the various institutions where an engineer can register for membership with the IET.
Registration with Institute of Engineering & Technology (IET)What is IET?IET was first established in London, U.K. Its former name was IEE. In 2006, there was a merger and with it, a new name was given: Institute of Engineering & Technology or IET.
IET is a 21st century institution serving a global community engaged in engineering and technology. It has a network of 90 local groups. As a member, this means there is a ready network where you can be part of a global engineering and technology community.
Its associate members span from the communities of Physicists, Biologists, IT professionals, Mechanical as well as Electronics and Electrical engineers. It has the licence to register and validate the Chartered Engineer status, via the Engineering Council, U.K. The pre-condition to be a Chartered Engineer, is of course, to be a member of IET before your application can be accepted.
The Role IET Plays• IET is a qualifying body. It has the authority to accredit programmes in a university.
• It is also the voice of the professional engineers.
• If you’re seeking knowledge to update yourself on the latest technological research, designs and innovation, you can source for this information from IET’s publications and the courses that are being provided.
• IET also organises high quality events for members to learn, socialise and to exchange information in informal settings. As members also participate in voluntary and charity events, they have opportunities to collaborate with other volunteer groups and do their part for the community.
IET Membership CategoriesYou can register as a member with IET under various categories, such as:
• Student Chapters
As a member, a student can have the opportunity for interaction, and to be involved in organising events. The students have been empowered to manage the Transmitter Hunt, and the Inter-Varsity Paintball competition to be held in March 2011.
• Associate
• Member (MIET or TMIET)
• Fellow (FIET)
For more information, you can log on to: www.theiet.org
Some information about other professional engineering institutions•
The Board of Engineers, Malaysia (BEM)The BEM holds a tight reign on its regulations. As is stated by its mission, “To regulate engineering profession so as to ensure that professional engineering services provided in the country are in compliance with appropriate legislation and policies.”
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The Institute of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM)The IEM conducts a lot of activities, talks, forums, as well as conducts interviews on behalf of BEM.
Being a MemberIf you wish to register as a professional engineer, you will need to present yourself at a professional review interview. This, as Dr. Vigna said, is the best route. He encouraged every engineer to be a member of BEM. He stressed that a practising engineering and an academician has to be a member.
The Application ProcessThe application process is simple. Just apply as a graduate engineer. Within a month, you will be notified. Upon acceptance, you will go to IEM and apply as a graduate member. The same procedure applies for corporate membership. However, you will need to have about 4-5 years of working experience as an engineer. Professional Engineer status or IR, is only recognised in Malaysia.
As there was so much to share about the process of registration, the benefits of being a member, networking and mentoring, Dr. Vigna recommended that they could always contact him for a chat or advice.
The future mentors Dr. Satesh, in closing, thanked Dr. Vigna for his openness, helpfulness and encouraged the engineering lecturers to make plans for their professional registration as engineers with IET. For academicians who have 5-6 years of experience, he encouraged them to target their career plan to be a Chartered Engineer. Several members of his staff have already started this journey, some of whom are Mr. Reynato Gamboa, Mr Sivajothi and Mr Douglas Tong. He wished them well, as they will one day, play the role of mentors to new staff who will join the School of Engineering.
Dr Satesh Namasivayam
Head, School of Engineering
