IESL Engineers get international recognition

COLOMBO: At the International Engineering Meetings held in Washington DC, USA in June 2007, the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL) was granted Full Membership of the Engineers Mobility Forum (EMF).

The IESL received Provisional Membership of the (EME) in Hong Kong in June 2005.

The IESL was also granted Provisional Membership of the Washington Accord at this meeting.

The EMF in agreement facilitates cross-border practice by professional engineers. In general this means that a professional engineer who satisfies EMF requirements will be able to practice in another EMF member country.

The current EMF signatory countries are USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea. Sri Lanka is the only country in South Asia to obtain such recognition.

The requirements to obtain a P. Eng. qualification under EMF criteria are; to have a four year accredited engineering degree by a Washington Accord signatory country, seven years minimum post qualifying experience with at least two years responsible experience, been assessed within the country as eligible for independent practice i.e. be Chartered Engineer or Professional Engineer, maintain a satisfactory level of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) annually and been assessed through a competency based assessment scheme.

The Washington Accord is agreement whereby the signatory countries mutually recognise the engineering academic qualifications of each other.

Currently all the EMF signatory countries except Malaysia have obtained full signatory status. The IESL becoming a Provisional Membership of Washington Accord indicate the acceptance by the international body if the IESL’s accreditation procedure for four year fulltime B.Sc. Engineering degree programmes.

The IESL intends to apply for Full Membership of Washington Accord in June 2009 and if successful, this will paved the ways for international acceptance of Sri Lankan engineering degree programmes.

Becoming a full member of these two groups is beneficia for Sri Lankan Engineers, as this will ensure international acceptance of both their academic and professional qualifications.

The President of IESL Eng. D.L. Taldena led the delegation along with Past President Prof. L.L. Ratnayake and Executive Secretary Eng.

Russel de Zilwa at the International Engineering Meetings held in Washington D. C, USA in June 2007.