education & training of professional engineers: perceptions & realities

Education & Training of Professional Engineers:Perceptions & Realities

Prof. Abang Abdullah Abang AliPresident, Federation of Engineering of Institutions of Islamic Countries (FEIIC)

Professor & Director, Housing Research Centre, Universiti Putra Malaysia

First Saudi Engineering ForumEngineering Education 2020 & Demands of the Industry

23-24 May 2006, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran.

First Saudi Engineering Forum, KFUPM, 23-24 May 2006

1. Introduction

• Rapid growth of institutions of higher learning vs shrinking job markets

• University’s constraints & industry’s demands.

• Mutual recognition and mobility of engineers

• National engineering qualification framework & accreditation system

• Export of professional services


2. Global education & training scenario

• Globalisation• Capacity building• Education hub• Qualification Framework• Accreditation system• Technical education & training (TEVT/VET).


Malaysian Engineering Formation Studies

Malaysian Engineering Technologist and Engineering Technician, 2003Blueprint for a highly competent engineering workforce

Malaysian Engineering Education Model, 2000. Educating Future Industry Leaders.

Formation of Engineers in Malaysia, 1996. Towards the Engineering Vision.


The Engineering Profession (Formation of Engineers in Malaysia Study, 1996)

• Popular, well-respected, spearheading technology and wealth creation

• A vanguard of progress in the country• An unending flow of novel ideas, new

knowledge and innovative engineering solutions

• Exemplary professionalism and high ethical standards

• A source of creative future leaders.


Global Education,Training & Qualifications Scenario

1. Outcome-based education (OBE) & qualification systems

2. Competency-based training system instead of time-based.

3. Training more client-focused (SCL)

4. Stronger emphasis on flexible, life-long & e-learning


Reinventing the Profession


1. Interact with science and technologyR&D, Discovery, Innovation, Invention, Patent, Commercialisation

Engineering

Science Technology

SET SET instead of S&Tinstead of S&T

little flying robotscomputer engineering


2. Accommodate multidisciplinary activities Biosensors, DNA, Nanotechnology, Orthopedic Engineering

little flying robotsnormal aircraftdna


3. Nurture new engineering disciplines Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Bioengineering

electronics and computer engineering


4. Master generic skills

Creative and Innovative

Interpersonal skills

Business skills

Managem

ent

Politics

EconomicsSocial

global view


Formation of the Next Generation of Engineers


The Next Engineering Generation

1. New breed of professionals, who are

2. New engineering education and training model, emphasizing on

3. Tripartite involvement of the university, research institute and industry

Multi-skilled; Captains of industry; At the forefront of knowledge & At the forefront of knowledge & technologytechnology

Comprehensive; Frontier work;Relevant to modern worldRelevant to modern world


Indulgence in Innovation


Enhancing R&DC

• R&D important to remain competitive – trade liberalisation WTO/AFTA

• High cost – need to identify niche.• To mobilise public and private sector.• Missing Link, Winning Formula; relevance -

lack of industry participation, funding, positioning & strategy alignment.


Innovation System

• Innovation culture - stimulate, nurture and reward creativity and entrepreneurship.– Competitive global environment - risk

taking, new markets and competitors.– Industry- research network.

BEM/IEM/FEIIC Malaysian Incorporated Engineer (Engineering Technologist) &

Engineering Technician Study

Draft Final Report

Feb 2003


Study Objectives

1. National requirement for Incorporated Engineers & Engineering Technician

2. Local & Overseas practice3. Propose

1. education & training model2. professional development route & 3. career path


Streams & Routes

Stream• Engineering• (Engineering Technology)• Technology• Science• Arts

Routes• Scientific / Academic

– University degree

• Technical / Vocational ( TEVT / VET )– Cert, Diploma, Degree– MLVK– BEM/IEM Pt I & II

Engineering Qualification Framework


UK

1. Chartered Engineer (4-yr MEng)

2. Incorporated Engineer (3-yr BEng)

3. {No Engineering Assistant}

4. Technician (HND/Adv GNVQ/NVQ3/HNC)


Ireland1. Chartered Engineer

(BE/BEng/BSc(Eng)/BAI)

2. Engineering Technologist (BTech)

3. Engineering Assistant (ND/TD)

4. Technician (NC/TC)


Germany

1. EurIng (Dipl-Ing / Dip-Ing (FH))

2. - (Dip-Ing (BA))

3. Technician (Meisterbrief / Gesellenbrief)

(Currently Europe is adopting the European higher education standard known as BMD & its ECTS; 3 + 2 education system)


France

1. EurIng (Dipl-Ing / DESS/DEA Matrise

2. - (Magistere / License)

3. Technician (DUT/BTS/DEUG/DEUST)


Australia

1. Chartered Professional Engineer (4-yr BEng)

2. Engineering Technologist (3-yr BEngTech/BTech)

3. Engineering Officer (Dip / Adv Dip)

4. Technician (Not in IEAust or Engineers Aust)– Cadetship (Technician; Cert III, Dip, Adv Dip)– Apprenticeship (Qualified Tradesperson; Cert III, IV)– Traineeship (Diff man/prod. Job; Cert I, II, III)


US

1. Professional Engineer (4-yr BS)

2. Engineering Technologist (4-yr BEngTech)

3. Engineering Assistant ( AAS/AET)

4. Technician (Certificate)


Canada

1. Professional Engineer (4-yr BSc)

2. Engineering Technologist (4-yr BEngTech)

3. Engineering Assistant (Diploma of Tech)

4. Technician (Certificate)


Malaysia (Current)

1. Engineer – BEng (Professional & Management; Degree, Level 5)

2. Technical Assistant - Dip (Supervisory; Diploma , Level 3 & 4)

3. Technicians – Cert (Operations & Production; Certificate, Level 1 & 2)


EQF Country ComparisonUK US Australia Malaysia

CurrentMalaysia Proposed

CEng (MEng)

PE(BS)

CPEng(BEng)

PEng(BEng)

PEng(BEng)

IncEng(3-yrBEng)

EngTech(BEngTech)

EngTech(BTech/BEngTech)

NA EngTech(4yrBEngTech)

NA NA EngOffcr(Dip/Adv Dip)

TA(Dip)

EngAssist(DipEngTech)

Technician(Dip/HNC/

HND)

Technician(AAS/AET/Cert)

Technician(Cert/Dip/Adv Dip)

Technician(Cert)

Technician(CertEngTech)


Malaysia (Proposed)

Engineer (Professional & Management 4-yr BEng)

Engineering Technologist (Engineer 4-yr BEngTech) ?

Engineering Assistant (Supervisor; DipEng or DipEngTech) to replace TA.

Technicians (Operations & Production – Doer; CertEng or CertEngTech)


3. Malaysian Education & Training Scenario

• Malaysia aims to be an Education hub • Malaysia doing well before globalization with

exports RM5.2 billion (1970) to RM354.5 billion (2002).

• Nat’l success with heavy investment on physical infrastructures and trained manpower. But unable to compete on cheap manpower.

• Low cost of investment in education but high returns


Education & Training in Malaysia

• Increasing graduates, shrinking job market• Malaysian Qualification Framework (MQF).• Participate in global initiatives in

accreditation – Washington, Sydney and Dublin Accords; EUR-ACE/ENAEE.

• Greater emphasis on high skills eg German fachhochschulen; importance of TEVT sector in Malaysia.

• One-stop Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC)

• Outcome-based education, SCL, PBL, ISO9001 (Quality Assurance).


Scientific Path Engineering Technology Path

Work Force

MIEM, P. Eng

B. Eng4 yr

Gra

dE

ng

.T

ec

h

Professional Engineer

Gra

d

En

gi

ne

er

STPM18

mthMatric-ulation12 mth

*Dip Eng3 yr

Engineering Assistant

*Dip EngTech3 yr

*Dip Eng3 yr

SPMSchool Leavers

Cert2 yr

Cert2 yr Engineering

Technician

MEET Education, Training and Professional Development RoutesB.Eng Tech

4 yr •Diploma graduates may be given credit transfer upon entry to degree programmes.

**Bridging Programme recommended is BEM/IEM Part III examination or MS in Engineering or Engineering Technology

** Bridg

Prog


The Scientific & Engineering Technology Paths

Workplace

EngineerAdv Design

& R&D

Engineering TechnologistApplications& Practice

Professional PracticeResearchTeaching

ManufacturingProduction

Construction


International Mobility

Accords Washington (PEng) Sydney (IncEng/EngTech) Dublin (Technicians) Eur-ACE/ENAEE

EMF, APEC, ASEAN Engineers Register


4. Accreditation & Mutual Recognition

• Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) for Professional Services at 7th Summit of ASEAN Leaders – free flow of professional services by 2020.

• Washington Accord – quality assurance process for accreditation process & standards of educational institution for education & training of engineers; Sydney Accord for engineering technologists; Dublin Accord for technicians.

• Eur-ACE/ENAEE for Europe• In Malaysia, the Engineering Accreditation Council

(EAC) reps from BEM, IEM, LAN & JPA.


5. Technical Manpower Mobility

• Engineers Mobility Forum (EMF), Engineering Technologist Mobility Forum (ETMF) and APEC Engineers agreement.

• EMF – Int’l Professional Engineers Register, same std as APEC Engineers Register. BEM is signatory.

• EMF rep to:– Ensure standards & criteria– Manage barriers to mobility– Encourage implementation of mobility

procedures.


6. Development of Professional Services

• Professional Services Development Centre (PSDC) to promote;– CPD & lifelong learning– R&D uptake– Accreditation of professional service providers (PSP)

to int’l standards & best practices.


7. Summary

• Globalization to stay; brings solutions & challenges.

• Interesting developments in Education & Training of Professional Engineers as well as Technical HRD / TEVT.

• Need to develop the local education & training model for competition in the local and int’l market comprising of

engineering education and training model, professional development route &career pathway

& promote and harmonise with the local engineering professional system.

education & training of professional engineers: perceptions & realities

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