The concept of engineering has existed for along time, beginning with the invention of fundamental objects such as the pulley, lever and wheel. Each of these inventions is an application of scientific knowledge together with the knowledge of natural laws and of physical resources. The end products are useful objects, tools or designs that help modern societies improve their standard of living.
With the advent of technology, more advanced gadgets are invented by the growing number of engineers around the world. Armed with knowledge and creativity, engineers have the power to bring and make changes to societies, economies and the environment. As the application of engineering brings with it great responsibilities, particularly with respect to public safety, a regulatory system for engineers and the engineering held is necessary. In Malaysia, this task is undertaken by the Board of Engineers, Malaysia (BEM). ‘Under the Registration of Engineers Act 1967, no one is allowed to practice as an engineer in Malaysia without first being registered with BEM,’ says Dato’ Paduka Engr Haji Keizrul bin Abdullah, the president of Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) session 2008/2009.
Qualifying route
The BEM is statutory body constituted under the Registration of Engineers Act 1967. It was formed on 23 August 1972 and is under the purview of the Minister of Work. The board was established for the purpose of regulating the professional conduct and practice of registered engineers in order to safeguard the safety and interest of the public. To be a Professional Engineer registered with the BEM, all graduate engineers must first go through the following steps;
- Register with the BEM upon graduation, as it is compulsory under the Registration of Engineers Act 1967 for all practicing engineers to register with the board.
- Complete at least three years of relevant work experience after graduating with an accredited engineering degree. These training stints should, as far as possible, be completed under the guidance of a professional engineer who is in the same discipline as the graduate engineer.
- Pass a Professional Assessment or become a Corporate Member of IEM.
To assist graduate engineers advance towards being a Professional Engineers (PEng in short, which carries the title ‘Ir’), IEM has training scheme called the IEM Log Book Scheme. If they opt for the IEM Log Book Scheme, they should follow the procedures documented in the IEM Training Scheme Guidelines.
Once the candidate complete their training (either n their own or through the IEM Log Book Scheme), the next step is for them to sit for the professional interview conducted by IEM. Once they pass this interview (which consists of an oral question-and-answer session and essay writing), they can be admitted as corporate members of IEM and are then eligible to apply to the BEM to be registered as a Professional Engineer.
Honorific titles: Ir vs Engr
There are two categories under which an engineer can register with BEM, according to Dato’ Paduka Keizrul. The first category, which is the graduate engineer category, carries no title. The professional category, on the other hand, will require an engineer to have three years of professional training. After the training and the registration with BEM, the engineer is entitled to use the honorific title ‘Ir’ in front of his or her name, and the abbreviation ‘PEng’ after his or her name.
IEM, on the other hand, is registered as a professional learned society with the Registrar of Societies. The organization was formed in 1959 as an institution for engineers in Malaysia. The membership of IEM consists of two classes, namely corporate members and non-corporate members. To be a corporate member of IEM, you must have a degree and working experience of no less than three years, and have passed the professional interview. Corporate members of IEM are entitled for registration as a Professional Engineer with the BEM and can then use the honorific title ‘Ir’ in front of their names, or the abbreviation ‘PEng’ after their names, and are entitled to established their own practice.
Non-corporate members of IEM comprise graduate members, student members, affiliate members and associate members. ‘As provided for under the IEM Constitution, graduate members of IEM are entitled to use the honorific title “Engr” once they graduate, even before getting the three-year working experience,’ explains Dato’ Paduka Keizrul, adding that affiliate members, associate members, and student members are not entitled to be designated by any titles.
Some advice
After getting a degree in engineering, you may start working as an engineer after registering with BEM. ‘Your value as an engineer in the job market would also depend on your qualification,’ notes Dato’ Paduka Keizrul. This is because some engineering courses may provide students with more hands-on experience in sought-after fields, hence adding more value to the qualification obtained.
Additional qualifications, such as postgraduate qualifications, will also add value to the career prospects of engineers. ‘Before taking up postgraduate studies, you must consider what you want from your life,’ advises Dato’ Paduka Keizrul. Some engineering graduates may take up postgraduate studies right after graduating with a bachelor’s degree. However, according to Dato’ Paduka Keizrul, it is good to get a few years of experience before you further your studies to the postgraduate level.
