Name

: Koay Geok Hwa

Student ID : 1002B77917
Title:
4. The manifestation of professionalism among engineers occurs through their
interactions with other segments of the society, which can be viewed essentially as an
exercise in group dynamics. In this regard, the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia
(IEM) is ideally constituted to serve this purpose. Discuss the various functions that
can be provided by IEM in promoting professionalism.

A professional engineer is the mark of a profession. The status is demanding an extra

measure of competence and dedication to obtain improvements and benefits on
respective fields. While not all engineers find professional engineer status required for
their chosen paths, the Professional Engineer (PE) or other initials before their names
can provide many advantages. The manifestation of professionalism among engineers
occurs through their interactions with other segments of the society, which can be
viewed essentially as an exercise in group dynamics. In this regard, the Institution of
Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) is ideally constituted to serve this purpose in Malaysia.

Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) is a learned society registered under the

Societys Act. Membership is voluntary but Board of Engineer Malaysia (BEM)
accepts the professional standards set by IEM for membership as qualifications for
registration as a PE. Most PE are IEM members. One of the primary roles of IEM is
to promoting professionalism in order to cover all major disciplines of engineering
practiced in Malaysia. It is governed by Constitution and by-laws, which include the
regulation of professional conduct. By promoting professionalism, there is a Standing
Committee on Professional Practice, which reviews, co-ordinate and formulates the
policies on all aspect of professional practice among members of the Institution
including conduct, ethics, discipline and good technical practice. Besides, it liaises
with other professional bodies, public and statutory authorities.
Engineering Week is organized to introduce and promote the engineering profession
to the general public and the contribution of Engineers in Scientific and Technology
Development. Engineering Week is a one-week programme, which promotes and
covers not only professionalism but also all the aspects like the challenges, the
exciting working environment and the wide career options available to engineers.
Society will get a chance to understand and appreciate the versatility of the
engineering profession in providing them with a high standard of living through the
activities organized during Engineering Week. For example, there is an Engineering
Invention and Innovation Expo (EINIX) proposed in conjunction with the
Engineering Week 2012. The purpose of EINIX is to promote the Engineering
Profession to the public by exhibiting the creative inventions and innovative products
from the undergraduates in local universities.

The BEM implemented the policy on Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

to further enhance professionalism among engineers in 2006. The policy is aimed to
further improve and broaden the knowledge and skill of engineers in performing their
duties in line with current practice and regulations. IEM was appointed as the
Certified Body to implement the CPD and Professional Development Programme
(PDP) according to BEMs policy and guidelines in February 2006. All registered
PEs are required to chalk up a minimum of 50 CPD Hours per year. The required 50
hours can actually be the average of the CPD Hours collected over the current year
and the past 2 years. All the PEs can collect the CPD Hours through any engineering
related activities that approved by IEM such as attending IEM AGM, attending half
day seminar and job training and doing private studies. PDP is a programme
organized to provide additional experience required of graduate engineers to be
entitled to apply for professional engineer registration. In the programme, graduate
engineers require to attend the courses conducted by BEM or institution approved by
BEM. Theses courses provide chances for graduate engineers to expose themselves
with code of ethics, health and safety at work and engineering management practices.
Other than that, graduate engineers require to complete not less than 30 units of
Professional Development, which includes attendance at technical talks, seminars,
society or association meeting and community services. It is a good sign of promoting
professionalism among engineers by putting them with other segments of the society
in group dynamics.

Besides that, there are few educational activities such as in-house technical and
management talks, conference and seminars in and outside the country are conducted
by IEM for their members at nominal charges. The members will be exposed to
different engineering aspects to enhance the professionalism themselves. They will
also gain new experiences and knowledge when they interact with other segment of
society during the educational activities. Technical visits are also organized by IEM
for members to visit project sites and factories so that they can observe first-hand
engineering applications. With the engineering applications, they can enhance their
technical knowledge and skills to face and solve engineering problems in industries.
This is important for their development as professionals and also essential for the
progress and promotion of the profession. Besides, IEM also organizes community
service projects. All these activities provide the avenue for interaction among
members and it is one of the ways to network, socialize and be exposed to the outside
world. The members also get to meet engineers of all disciplines, from various
sectors, of all levels and age, and from all over the world. These are mean of
promoting professionalism by developing a broader outlook, honing the
communication and social skills.
IEM Engineering Career Advisors is also a programme that promotes
professionalism. This programme seeks to encourage members to conduct talks,
disseminate information on engineering and participate and advise science societies of
schools on engineering related projects to schools all over Malaysia. The members
can participate more actively by giving their time and energy to organizing activities
and play a role in issues of concern to engineers by giving opinions and be proactive
in effecting positive changes for the good of the engineering profession in Malaysia.
IEM also publishes Newsletters. These publications include articles on infrastructure

projects, engineering developments and the latest on-goings in the Institute is

distributed to members in addition to highlights on academic research and findings.

In conclusion, IEM provides various functions in promoting professionalism by

providing services, programmes and organizing events. In these functions, engineers
interact with other segment of society with a myriad of avenues provided to better
themselves. Besides promoting professionalism, it is important to protect and look
after the rights and welfare of engineers.
( 993 words)