DJJ40132

Engineering and
Society

Chapter 5 : Professional Bodies in

Engineering
Lecturer : Mohd Yusri Ibrahim
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOME

Upon completion of this course,

students should be able to:
Determine the important of
works ethics, bylaws and
professionalism in engineering
profession.
Right & Privileges of a Professional Engineer
The basic rights of engineers include the right to live freely and pursue their legitimate interests as any
human being, along with the right to be against racial or sexual discrimination, receiving one’s salary
according to the work, choosing of political activities, etc., as other employees. Besides all of them,
engineers have some special rights as professionals.
Professional Rights
The rights that engineers have as professionals are called Professional Rights. These professional rights
include :
▪ The basic right of professional conscience.
▪ The right of conscientious refusal.
▪ The right of professional recognition.
Right of Professional Conscience
This is a basic right which explains that the decisions taken while carrying on with the duty,
where they are taken in moral and ethical manner, cannot be opposed. The right of professional
conscience is the moral right to exercise professional judgement in pursuing professional
responsibilities. It requires autonomous moral judgement in trying to uncover the most morally
reasonable courses of action, and the correct courses of action are not always obvious.

There are two general ways to justify the basic right of professional conscience.

▪ The exercise of moral reflection and conscience that justifies professional duties is necessary,
with respect to that duty.

▪ The general duties to respect persons and rule-utilitarianism would accent the public good of
allowing engineers to pursue their professional duties.
Right of Conscientious Refusal.
The right of conscientious refusal is the right to refuse to engage in unethical behavior. This can be done
solely because it feels unethical to the doer. This action might bring conflicts within the authority-based
relationships.

The two main situations to be considered here are −

▪ When it is already stated that certain act is unethical in a widely shared agreement among all the
employees.

▪ When there occurs disagreement among considerable number of people whether the act is unethical.

Hence it is understood that engineers and other professionals have a moral right to refuse the unethical acts
such as bribery, forging documents, altering test results, lying, padding payrolls or coercing employees into
acting by threatening, etc.
Right of Professional Recognition
An engineer has a right to the recognition of one’s work and
accomplishments. An engineer also has right to speak about
the work one does by maintaining confidentiality and can
receive external recognition. The right for internal
recognition which includes patents, promotions, raises etc.
along with a fair remuneration, are also a part of it.

The fulfillment of right to recognition motivates the

employee to be a trustful member of the organization,
which also benefits the employer. This makes the employee
morally bound which enhances the ethical nature to be
abide by the professional ethics.
Privileges in Joining Professional Engineering Society
Every young professional engineer knows growing his or her network is a good career move to
establish a circle of like-minded individuals and to cultivate future career opportunities. It is
believe joining a professional engineering association is incredibly valuable.What are those
benefits?
▪ Advocacy Work in Your Chosen Field
▪ Continuing Education Opportunities
▪ Further Your Career
▪ Access to a Community of Peers
▪ Stay Up-to-date on Engineering News
Classify Professional Conduct
The term professional refers to anyone who earns their living from performing an activity that requires
a certain level of education, skill, or training. There is typically a required standard of competency,
knowledge, or education that must be demonstrated (often in the form of an exam or credential), as
well as adhering to codes of conduct and ethical standards.

Below is “Board Of Engineers Malaysia” - Code of Conduct of Registered Person

codeprofessionalconduct.pdf
 Differentiate Professional Engineering Bodies
INTRODUCTION

A Professional Engineer is a person registered under Section 10(2) of the Registration of Engineers Act 1967 (Revised
2015).

1. A Professional Engineer who is registered with the Board may:

2. take up employment which requires him to carry out or perform professional engineering services;
be entitled to describe himself or hold himself out under any name, style or title –
• bearing the words "Professional Engineer" or the equivalent thereto in any other language;
• bearing any other word whatsoever in any language which may reasonably be construed to imply that he is a Professional Engineer; or
• using the abbreviation “Ir.” before his name or the abbreviation “P.Eng.” after his name or in any way in association with his name;
3. use or display any sign, board, card or other device representing or implying that he is a Professional Engineer;
4. use the stamp as may be determined by the Board.
Professional Engineering Bodies - BEM

BOARD OF ENGINEERS MALAYSIA - BEM

BEM - Function

The purpose of accreditation is to ensure that the accredited engineering programme satisfies the
minimum academic requirements for registration as a graduate engineer with the Board of Engineers,
Malaysia (BEM).In accordance with the purpose, the BEM evaluates programme or programmes
leading to the award of engineering degrees and accredits those programmes, which are adjudged as
adequately preparing their graduates for registration as graduate engineers and entry into the
profession.

BEM uses as a guide the list for Professional/Chartered Engineer by the accreditation organisations of
the country where the degree is issued. Candidates are advised to check with the relevant Engineering
Accreditation bodies' web site for the list recognised degrees of professional chartered level. However,
BEM reserves the right to review the list at any time without notice.
BEM certificate
Professional Engineering Bodies - IEM

INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS MALAYSIA - IEM

IEM - Function

IEM is a professional learned society with the objective of promoting and advancing all aspects of
engineering. It was formed in 1959 and was admitted a member of the Commonwealth Engineers Council in
1962. The Institution is a qualifying body for professional engineers in Malaysia.The Corporate member of
the Institution can apply to the Board of Engineers, Malaysia (which is a registration body) for registration as
a Professional Engineer, which will entitle him to set up practice. The qualification standards are determined
by the Council of the Institution.

The Institution is one of the few professional engineering institutions in the world, which represents all
disciplines of the profession, and is thus able to take a broad view of the professional scene.

BEM (Board of Engineers, Malaysia) is different from IEM. BEM is a government body that regulates the
registration of engineers in Malaysia while IEM is a professional Body or Learned Society for engineers.
IEM certificate
Characterize qualifications & Criteria to be a Professional Engineers

REQUIREMENTS

▪ Applicant who applies for registration as a Professional Engineer must be a registered Graduate Engineer with BEM.
▪ The applicant must select and satisfy one of the following Route to become a Professional Engineer. Route 1 and 2
shall be done from the date of approval as Graduate Engineer with BEM.

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE FOR A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER FROM AN OVERSEAS REGULATORY BODY

▪ A Professional Engineer from an overseas Regulatory Body must first register as a Graduate Engineer to ensure that
his/her basic degree satisfies the academic requirements of the Board.
▪ The applicants are required to fulfil 3 years registration as Graduate Engineer before being eligible to apply for
Professional Engineer via Route 3 (Section 10(2)(d) of the Registration of Engineers Act 1967 (Revised 2015).
Determine Monitoring of Professional Conduct
Professional Examination Conduct by Professional Bodies

An engineer who has just graduated with a recognised qualification must register with the Board of Engineers Malaysia. He/she can then start to
obtain the necessary training and experience, normally four years, before he/she can attempt to sit for the Professional Interview, an exam to qualify
Graduate Members of IEM to be transferred to Corporate Members. Corporate Members of IEM can then apply to upgrade their status to P.Eng.
with the Board of Engineers Malaysia.

A registered Graduate Engineer is only eligible to sit for the Professional Assessment Examination (PAE) after he has fulfilled the requirements of
Regulation 22 of the Registration of Engineers Regulations 1990 (Revised 2015) ie has obtained at three (3) years practical experience as prescribed
under Regulation 22, Registration of Engineers Regulation 1990 (Revised 2015).

PAE is divided into two (2) categories:

(A) Graduate Engineer (GE) as prescribed under Section 10(1)(a) of the Registration of Engineers Act, 1967 (Revised 2015).
(B) Graduate Engineer who holds a professional qualification which the Board considers to be equivalent to the PAE conducted by the Board or
Route 3.
 ▪ All graduates are advised to register with BEM, as it is the
main statutory body of engineers in Malaysia. IEM, which is
basically a professional learned society is optional.

Summary ▪ Being a member of BEM entitles you to legal assistance

should you land in trouble with legal issues in your jobs.