The Institution of Engineers (India), (IEI) , the largest multi-disciplinary body of engineers in the country  obtained full membership of the Engineers Mobility Forum for India on 17 Jun 2009 during the recent bi-annual International Engineers Meeting 2009 at Kyoto, Japan.

“Engineers certified by the Institution of Engineers (India) [IEI] as Professional Engineers in accordance with international norms would now be able to practice as Professional Engineers in member countries without any additional checks applicable to their local Professional Engineers. Engineers Mobility Forum is an international agreement with engineering professional institutions of UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Australia, Japan, Sri Lanka, Ireland, South Korea, Singapore, Chinese Taipei being full members presently in addition to India.” Said Rear Admiral K.O.Thakare, President, IEI.

“IEI, the largest multidisciplinary engineering professional institution had obtained Provisional membership of EMF in 2003 and has developed systems and processes for certifying Professional Engineers to international standards. The IEI systems and procedures operated by IEI and other participating professional institutions of India, were witnessed by UK, Japan and Hong Kong as representatives of the world body”, He said.

The Institution of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineers and The Institute of Marine Engineers(India) are presently other  collaborating institutions for assessment of electronic and marine engineers, with more institutions likely to join in near future. Outstanding engineers and professionals of the country have been associated in developing processes and certifying Professional Engineers.

The IEI is now authorised to operate  Indian Part of the International Register of Professional Engineers.  Indian Professional Engineers after due process, would be placed on International Register. They would be entitled to exclusively use the title IntPE(India) indicating their international status.

All eligible Indian engineers, can apply for Professional Engineer certification. Rigorous assessment of Continuous Professional Development (CPD), passing the Assessment Examination and peer review form part of the certification process. Major  emphasis  on CPD, which can be accrued through participation in seminars, writing and presenting technical papers etc. helps in keeping engineers updated and professionally in-date. IEI with its 99 Centres in India and abroad, provides excellent facilities for CPD to engineers and aspiring Professional engineers in particular.

With removal of barriers  under WTO and GATT regimes, quality assessment of mobile professionals has assumed very important dimension. With the IEI becoming part of  the International Agreement on mobility; on one hand Indian Professional Engineers would be readily acceptable for practice in foreign countries and on the other hand a system for quality certification  of incoming engineers would be easily available for employers in India. Additionally, Professional Engineers certified to international standard would also command higher recognition in domestic market.

The above much awaited development would provide level playing field, mobility and recognition to Indian engineers.