Chapter 1 (i)

The Engineering
Profession

1
Chapter Outlines
Professionalism and Its Characteristics

Field of Specialization in Engineering

Types of Responsibility of Engineer in Society

Roles and Functions of Professional Bodies

Engineering Ethics

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1. Engineering

3
Brief History of
Engineering
• The concept of engineering existed
since the ancient times.
• Invention of pulleys, wheels, etc.
• Pyramids in Egypt, Great Wall of
China
• “Engineering” ← “Engineer” ←
“Engine” (originated in the Middle
Ages around 1000-1200 AD

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Brief History of
Engineering
• Latin word for Engine is Ingenium
• “innate quality, especially mental power,
hence a clever invention “
• they were mainly builders of civil and
mechanical structures such as buildings,
bridges, roads, mills and war machines
• Understanding, advancement and
application of science and mathematics
• Engineering evolution → steamed
engine, telephone, motorcars,
electronics…

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Definition of Engineering
• According to the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
(ABET):
• ENGINEERING is the profession in which a knowledge of the
mathematical and natural sciences gained by study, experience,
and practice is applied with judgment to develop ways to utilize
economically the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of
mankind.

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Definition of Engineering
• According to the Institute of Engineers Malaysia (IEM):
• Shares a common of knowledge, skill & art of engineering
• Renders a specialized service in the design and construct of structures and
devices
• Involves confidential relationship between practitioner-client and/or
employer
• Is charged with substantial degree of public obligation in ensuring quality and
public safety
• Is bound by distinctive Ethical Code
• Has learned society to promote and protect the interest of the profession

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As a conclusion, Engineering is…
• A profession: it has standards of conduct, responsibilities, is based on
specialized knowledge and members can attain professional status in
well-defined ways.
• An art as well as science: experience and practice is required.
• The application of professional judgment in seeking optimum
solutions.
• The utilization of resources: nature, forces, energy, material,
knowledge.
• An exercise in optimizing economic cost.

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2. Engineering
Achievements

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Engineering Achievements in Malaysia

1980 1985 1993

World’s largest semiconductor Penang Bridge - Largest in Asia and Sunway Lagoon - World’s longest
company 3rd longest in the world (13.5km) suspension bridge (428m)

KL Tower - Tallest concrete tower in

the world and 4th tallest
PROTON - 1st national car telecommunication tower in the
manufacturer world (421m)

1983 1991

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Engineering Achievements in
Malaysia

1996 1997
MEASAT I – 1st national Genting Skyway - World’s
domestic satellite fastest mono cable car
system (21.6 kph)

MODENAS – 1st national KLIA – Asia’s largest modern

motorcycle manufacturer airport

1996 1998

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Engineering Achievements in Malaysia

1999 2001
Petronas Twin Towers - World’s tallest building MyKad - World’s first multipurpose identity card
(451.9m)

PUTRA LRT - World’s longest fully automated LRT

1999

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3. Engineers

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What is an Engineer?
• A profession whose principal duty is to serve mankind
• Applying knowledge to create practical devices, structures and
processes etc.

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Function of Engineers
Engineers are leaders to technicians, craftsmen and workers

Should be familiar with skills of their subordinates

Expected to innovate, design, make decision, foresee, identify,

assess and solve problems

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 Engineering Skills are used in:

R&D DESIGN CONSTRUCTION SALES PRODUCTION OPERATIONS

MANAGEMENT ACADEMIC

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 Field of Specialization in Engineering
Engineering contains several fields of specialization:

Electrical Engineering Mechanical Engineering

Power generation and transmission Engines and turbines
Electronics Motors
Communications systems Thermodynamics
Instrumentation and measurement Fluid Mechanics
Automation controls Aeronautical
Computers Industrials, Materials

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 Field of Specialization in Engineering
Engineering contains several fields of specialization:

Computer Engineering
Civil Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Material Engineering

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4. Professional
Engineers

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Difference Between Profession & Occupation

Occupation: an activity undertaken by the person as a Profession: an activity that requires specialized
livelihood. training, knowledge, qualification and skills; the body of
qualified persons in an occupation or field.

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 Is Engineer a Profession?

• Engineer requires extensive, sophisticated and specialized skills

• The essence of engineering design is judgment
• Discretion of intellectual property or business information of clients is required

Judgment: making significant decisions that will have serious impact on people’s lives and will often have
important implications regarding the spending of large amounts of money.
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Is Engineer a Profession?
• Engineering requires extensive formal education and training
• Four years of undergraduate training leading to a bachelor’s degree in an engineering
program
• Followed by work under the supervision of an experienced engineer.
• Professional engineering societies serve to set and maintain standards of the profession
• The primary concern of any engineer should be the quality and safety of the public

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Characteristics of Professional Engineers
• Possess education, knowledge and skills in an engineering specialty that exceeds those of
the public
• Stay abreast of discoveries and technologies
• Willing to advance and share knowledge, ideas and practice
• Have a sense of responsibility and service to society, employers and clients
• Honorable
• Willing to follow established code of ethics

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5. Engineering
Societies

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Engineering Societies in Malaysia

• BEM (The Board of Engineers Malaysia)

• a government agency
• is responsible for registering engineers
• IEM (Institution of Engineers Malaysia)
• largest engineering society in Malaysia, founded in 1959
• tasked with accreditation of engineering degree programs

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BEM (The Board of Engineers Malaysia)

• Formed on 23 August 1972

• Domain fall under responsibility of the Ministry of Works
• Regulate professional conduct and practice of registered engineers to
safeguard the safety of public interest

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BEM Board Members

• BEM consists of 17 Board Members comprising of :

• The President
• 14 Professional Engineers
• 5 from public sector
• 5 from private practice
• 2 from local authority
• 2 from private sector
• 1 representative from the Board of Architects Malaysia
• 1 representative of the Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia

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BEM Committees

Management
Engineering Act Publication
Application IT
Scale of Fee Monitoring
Professional Practice Quality
Examination and Training and Education
Qualification Engineering Accreditation

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Functions of BEM

• Maintain the Register

• Professional Engineers
• Graduate Engineers
• Engineering consultancy practices
• Accredited Checkers
• Professional Engineers with Practicing Certificate
• Engineering Technologist
• Inspectors of Works

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Functions of BEM

• Process application for registration

• Assessment of Academic Qualifications - Engineering Degree Programmes by
EAC
• Assessment of Academic Qualifications - Engineering Technology and
Engineering Technician Programmes by ETAC
• Regulate the Conduct and Ethics of the Engineering Profession

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Functions of BEM

• Disputes on Professional Conduct and Ethics

• Fix the Scale of Fees
• Stakeholder
• Publication - The Ingenieur
• Promotion of Continued Learning and Education

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IEM (Institution of Engineers Malaysia)

• Professional learned society with >15,000 members in Malaysia and abroad

• Formed in 1959
• A member of the Commonwealth Engineers Council (1962)
• Qualifying body for professional engineers in Malaysia
• One of the few professional engineering institutions in the world which
represent all disciplines of the profession

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Objectives of IEM

• Raise the character, status and advance the interest of the profession
• Increase the confidence of the community in employment of recognized
engineers
• Promote honest practice, prevent malpractices and settle dispute points of
practice and ethics
• Arrange lectures, exhibitions, conferences, seminars and courses

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Objectives of IEM

• Collect and disseminate engineering information

• Encourage the study of engineering
• Improve the general and technical knowledge of engineers
• Introduce and promote improvements in legislation and its administration

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Services Provided by IEM

• Professional Interview
• To attain professional engineer status
• Educational and social activities
• Technical and management talk, conferences and seminars
• Publication
• Monthly bulletin called Jurutera

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Washington Accord

• It is an independent agreement for

mutual recognition of accredited
engineering degree programmes,
between the bodies responsible for
accreditation in its signatory countries
(BEM).
• The agreement recognizes that there is
substantial equivalency of programs
accredited by those signatories.

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Washington Accord

• Graduates of accredited programs in

any of the signatory countries are
recognized by the other signatory
countries as having met the academic
requirements for entry to the practice
of engineering.
• Established in 1989, the signatories as
of 2018 are 20 countries.

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Washington Accord Signatories (Full Rights)
Australia - Engineers Australia (EA) (1989)
Canada - Engineers Canada (EC) (1989)
China - China Association for Science and Technology (CAST)
(2016)
Chinese Taipei - Institute of Engineering Education Taiwan
(IEET) (2007)
Hong Kong China - Hong Kong Institution of Engineers
(HKIE) (1995)
India - National Board of Accreditation (NBA) (2014)
Ireland - Engineers Ireland (EI) (1989)
Japan - Japan Accreditation Board for Engineering Education
(JABEE) (2005)
Korea - Accreditation Board for Engineering Education of
Korea (ABEEK) (2007)
Malaysia - Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) (2009)
Costa Rica - Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y de
Arquitectos de Costa Rica (CFIA) (2020)
New Zealand - Engineering New Zealand (EngNZ) (1989)
Russia - Association for Engineering Education of Russia
(AEER) (2012)
Singapore - Institution of Engineers Singapore (IES) (2006)
South Africa - Engineering Council South Africa (ECSA)
(1999)
Sri Lanka - Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL) (2014)
Turkey - Association for Evaluation and Accreditation of
Engineering Programs (MÜDEK) (2011)
United States - Accreditation Board for Engineering and
Technology (ABET) (1989)
United Kingdom - Engineering Council United Kingdom
(ECUK) (1989)
Pakistan - Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) (2017)
Peru - Instituto de Calidad Y Acreditacion de Programas de
Computacion, Ingeneria Y Technologia (ICACIT) (2018)
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Washington Accord Signatories (Provisional)
• Bangladesh - The Institution of Engineers Bangladesh (IEB)
• Thailand - Council of Engineers Thailand (COET)
• Mexico - Consejo de Acreditación de la Enseñanza de la Ingeniería
(CACEI)
• Philippines - Philippine Technological Council (PTC)
• Myanmar - Myanmar Engineering Council (MEngC)
• Chile - Agencia Acreditadora Colegio De Ingenieros De Chile S A
(ACREDITA CI)

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Routes to Professional Engineers (PE)

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Importance of Engineering Professional
Societies

• Source of support for engineers through collective strength

• Mechanism for helping and protecting ethical engineers
• Registering and issuing license to qualified engineers
• In complicated circumstances, engineers who adheres to ethical principal require the engineering
society’s support
• Investigating and reporting on specific cases
• Provide legal assistance
• Encourage employers to adopt effective procedures
• Propose new rules and regulations
• Awarding engineers

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6. Ethics

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Ethics

• Ethics is the study of the morality of human

actions
• Science of determining values in human conduct
• The study of ways to differentiate right and
wrong

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Engineering Ethics

• Engineering ethics consists of specialized technical details of the profession.

• Different from general ethics to an extent that it encompasses the conduct
between:
• Practicing professional and their clients
• Profession and society
• Among professionals
• Employees and employer
• The IEM, BEM and IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) each have
their code of ethics.

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Code of Ethics

• A code of ethics provides a framework for ethical judgment for a professional

• It helps the engineer to apply moral principles to the unique situations
encountered in professional practice

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Importance of Code of Ethics

• Requires members not to recklessly injure or maliciously tarnish the

reputation and prospect of another engineer
• Ensure the actions by the engineer is the best for the client and public’s
interest

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