ii

ABSTRACT

Engineering professional body is one of the platform to promoting the

engineering profession and professionalism among its member and within the
community around Malaysia. Engineering professional body is a society established
to promote and advance the science and profession of engineering in any or all its
disciplines and to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas related to
engineering and technology. Engineering professional body that we will discuss is
IEM. We need to find what is the roles of an engineering professional body, the
Institution Engineers Malaysia (IEM) in promoting the engineering profession and
professionalism among its members and within the community? There are many thing
IEM provide to attract its member and the community which are provide good services
and facilities, give a lot of benefit and advantages to its member who joining the IEM
and also the community by join the programme organize by IEM and also organize a
programme and event for learning purpose and industrial visit. Lastly, IEM need to
cooperate with all agencies including NGO and government to work together to
promote this engineering profession and professionalism among its members and
within the community. And will increase the engineering skill such as critical thinking
among the Malaysian.
 iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

ABSTRACT ii
TABLE OF CONTENT iii

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of study 1

1.2 Objectives 2
1.3 Problem Statement 3

2 LITERATURE RIVIEW

2.1 Introduction to Institution of Engineering Malaysia 4

 iv

3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1 Provides services and facilities 6

3.2 Benefits for the member of IEM 7
3.3 Advantages of joining programme organize by IEM 9
3.4 Programme, educational and social activities 9

4 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

4.1 Conclusion 11

REFERENCES 12
ii
 1

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of study

Engineering professional body is one of the platform to promoting the engineering

profession and professionalism among its member and within the community around
Malaysia. Engineering professional body is a society established to promote and
advance the science and profession of engineering in any or all its disciplines and to
facilitate the exchange of information and ideas related to engineering and technology.
The engineering professional body such as Institution of Engineering Malaysia (IEM)
and Board of Engineering Malaysia (BEM) help to hold meetings, exhibitions and visits,
and such other activities as the institution may deem incidental or conducive to the
promotion or attainment of the profession of engineering. Other than that, to raise the
character and status and advance the interests of the profession of engineering and those
engaged therein. Besides that, to promote honourable practice and professional
etiquette.

Next, engineering professional body also help to communicate to its members

about the information on all matters affecting the profession of engineering and to print,
publish, issue and circulate such publications as may seem conducive to any of the
 2

objectives. Then, to do such other things as the institution may think incidental or
conducive to the attainment of the objectives of the institution. This is very helpful for
the community know more about the engineering profession and professionalism. There
are a lot of thing that engineering professional body do in order to promote the
engineering profession body such as event, program, advertisement, exhibition and
other. This will cause the members and the community to interest to the engineering
profession and professionalism.

Professional engineering is any act of planning, designing, composing,

evaluating, advising, reporting, directing or supervising (or the managing of any such
act) that requires the application of engineering principles and concerns the safeguarding
of life, health, property, economic interests, the public welfare or the environment, or
the managing of any such act. (PEO, n.d)

Engineering applies a variety of factors to a situation in order to find a solution to

an existing or potential problem. The ability to interpret mathematical equations and
understand scientific concepts are just some of the skills that engineers use to develop a
concept or product. There are engineers in practically every field, from biomedical and
chemical to mechanical nuclear. Engineers use problem solving skills combined with
practical application in order to come up with inventions that present resolutions to
everyday quandaries. (OHIO, n.d)

1.2 Objective

To discuss the roles of an engineering professional body, the Institution Engineers

Malaysia (IEM) in promoting the engineering profession and professionalism among its
members and within the community.
 3

1.3 Problem statement

What is the roles of an engineering professional body, the Institution Engineers

Malaysia (IEM) in promoting the engineering profession and professionalism among its
members and within the community? There are many roles that we will discuss in the
next chapter.
 4

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction to the Institution of Engineering Malaysia

The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) was established in 1959 and its
primary function is to promote and advance the science and profession of engineering
in any or all of its disciplines and to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas
related to engineering. There are 12 branches of IEM within the country. The
governing body of the IEM is the Council, headed by the President. The affairs of the
Council are carried out by the Executive Committee comprising the President, Deputy
President, seven Vice Presidents, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and five
members elected from the Council. Operations are supported by a full time Secretariat.
Membership of the Institution is currently about 30,000 and the growth rate is about
10% per annum making it one of the largest professional organization in the country.

In order to support the needs of members, the IEM has 8 Standing Committees
to attend to the different administrative functions of the Institution. To support the
multidisciplinary needs of engineering practice, there are 16 Technical Divisions and
4 Special Interest Groups to look after and to organize activities for the different
disciplines. There is also a Young Engineer Section and Women Engineers Section
 5

that caters exclusively to the younger members and women engineers respectively.
The vision of IEM is aims to be the premier professional Organisation pivotal
achieving Vision 2020. The mission of IEM is to shall promote sound professional
engineering practice in support of the socio-economic development objectives of the
nation. And shall service the needs and interests of its members and the public and
uphold the social standing image of the engineering profession. Then, shall contribute
towards nation building and shall strive to enhance society's consciousness of science
and technology. IEM is a society established to promote and advance the science and
profession of engineering in any or all its disciplines and to facilitate the exchange of
information and ideas related to Engineering. (myiem, n.d)
 6

CHAPTER 3

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1 Provides services and facilities

IEM provides a lot of services and facilities in order to promote the engineering
profession and professionalism among its member and within the community. IEM
advertise the engineering profession through the newspaper, media, website, and other
to attract the community interest. Main target of the IEM is the school student, because
this is the time for them to know more and get interest in engineering profession and
professionalism in all fields of engineering. IEM also advertise to university
engineering student to get them keep stay in this engineering profession when they
work in the future. IEM also advertise to all university students about the recruitment
of new member, so that they can register as a member of IEM. Media is the best way
to deliver all the information about the IEM program, so that IEM always advertise
their programme or event via the media.

Other than that, IEM also provide financial resources for its member. The
members of IEM can apply financial resources from IEM to run a program, event,
activity, and other. So, members can run the program without any problem regarding
to financial. Sometimes, the members required transport to run the program that they
 7

create, so they also can apply transport from the IEM. The members is also easy to
apply financial from the IEM branches within the country. The members also can
apply sponsorship from IEM for their learning purpose such as industrial practical,
industrial visit and other. They also can apply for scholarship from IEM. Hence, all
this will attract the community interest in the engineering profession and
professionalism.

IEM also provide library near to the main office at Selangor and the library is
well stocked with e-books, e-journals, books, magazines and CD-ROMs on various
topic such as engineering, management and self-improvement. The Library is open
from Monday to Friday (9.00a.m. to 6.00 p.m.) and Saturday (9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.).
Its member can rest there and can gain more knowledge about engineering easier by
access to the IEM library. This library also can accessed via online through the IEM
official website. IEM also attract the student to go to their library for learning purpose.
Hence, this will attract the student interest more about engineering by provide comfort
reading place for all users.

3.2 Benefits for the member of IEM

The benefits are many. The IEM organises many courses, seminars, talks and
visits, which are of interest to the engineering profession (of technical nature) as well
as to the development and well-being of engineers (non-technical). Through technical
activities, the IEM Member gets the opportunity to enhance his or her technical
knowledge and skills as an engineer. This is important for their development as
professionals and essential for the progress and promotion of the profession as a
whole.

Whilst most people would be more familiar with the technical activities of IEM,
some may question the need and rationale for non-technical ones. Non-technical
activities include social activities during the weekends, talks and courses or
 8

workshops on personal development, investment and health, and visits to places of

interest e.g. the Firefly Park at Kuala Selangor. IEM also organises community service
projects. All these activities provide the avenue for interaction among members, senior
and junior alike it is one of the ways for IEM Members to network, socialise and be
exposed to the outside world. The Member gets to meet engineers of all disciplines,
from various sectors, of all levels and age, and from all over the world, for activities
of the IEM are not confined to Malaysia or Asia alone. These are means of developing
a broader outlook, honing your communication and social skills.

The IEM Member can also participate more actively in the institution by giving
his/her time and energy to organising the above-mentioned activities, and play a role
in issues of concern to engineers by giving opinions and be proactive in effecting
positive changes for the good of the engineering profession in the country. The various
Committees and Sub-committees in the IEM will always welcome such participation,
commitment, and enthusiasm from its members. The basic criteria is to be sincerely
committed to the betterment of the Institution, and subscribing to the basic noble
values of excellence, creativity and professionalism. Of course, IEM needs people
with a sincere voluntary spirit. If the engineer satisfies these values, be a Committee
or Sub-committee Member! By participating actively in the running of the Institution
too, the Member could train themselves in leadership and management skills, apart
from the non-technical skills mentioned above.

As members, one would be informed regularly of the events and upcoming

activities of the IEM through the monthly bulletin, the Jurutera, for which one pay
only a nominal subscription fee annually. There is also the IEM e-community that a
Member can be part of. Members also enjoy cheaper rates should there be any charge
for the activities organised by the IEM. In short, no matter what level of participation
the Member chooses to be at, the IEM provides them with a myriad of avenues to
better themselves. So, do be a member so that one can be part of the IEM family! One
should be all the more keen to be an IEM Member because this is the place for
engineers, and the IEM is THE organisation which protects and looks after the rights
and welfare of engineers. (myiem, n.d)
 9

3.3 Advantages of joining programme organize by IEM

The member of IEM will gain recognition for engineering experience and
professional accomplishments and get assessed on proficiency to qualify for
registration as a professional engineer. Members also can access to a wide network of
fellow engineers in the private and public sectors in Malaysia as well as regional and
international engineering bodies. Then, advance professional development by
attending regularly organised in-house talks, external conference and site visits. Keep
abreast with engineering development via readership of IEM Journals and Bulletins.
Formal recognition of your profession. Provides an avenue for networking with other
engineers outside your company and also an opportunity to meet industry leaders.

Furthermore, corporate members of IEM are accepted for registration as a

professional engineer with the Board of Engineers Malaysia. IEM also provide
participation in continuing education through seminars, workshops, conferences,
talks, forums, courses and other. A strong secretariat to support needs of members and
provide guidance and also receive monthly and quarterly publications. Members also
can access to equipped library and linked to the internet and access to the information
superhighway via internet. Next, IEM also establish relationship with other
professional bodies concerning matters of mutual interest. Next, member can get
opportunity to be sponsored by IEM to present papers in national and international
conference.

3.4 Programme, educational and social activities.

A long list of educational activities such as in-house technical and management

talks, conferences and seminars in and outside the country are conducted for members
at nominal charges. Technical visits are also organized for members to visit project
sites and factories so that members can observe first-hand engineering applications.
Meetings with engineering associations of other countries are also held regularly.
 10

Social gatherings such as dinners, golf competitions and welfare activities are planned
for the benefit of members.

IEM also have exhibition program to let the young generation explore more
about engineering. Its member will go to the school or education event to make
exhibition to attract the community. In this exhibition, its member will explain about
IEM, what is IEM do, and about the engineering. So, it will make the community more
understand and know about the engineering.

IEM also create industrial visit program where its member can gain a lot of
experience by visiting the company technology and have a chance to try the
technology use by the company. IEM sponsor selected members to visit and learn
more about the industrial company on how to manage the progress of a product and
how to make the process more efficiency. So, this is some of benefit the members of
IEM get by joining the industrial visit program. The members also can increase their
soft skill by joining program like this.
 11

CHAPTER 4

CONCLUSION

5.1 Conclusion

IEM is very important institute in order to promote the engineering profession

and professionalism among its member and within the community. There are many
thing IEM provide to attract its member and the community which are provide good
services and facilities, give a lot of benefit and advantages to its member who joining
the IEM and also the community by join the programme organize by IEM and also
organize a programme and event for learning purpose and industrial visit. This is all
IEM to attract the community interest in engineering profession and professionalism.
IEM need to cooperate with company to create many learning programme for the IEM
members. Then, IEM also must updated with the global information about engineering
so they not left behind and need to work together with the government to increase the
engineering skill such as critical thinking within the community. Next, IEM need to
be more open minded so they can follow the world process in promoting the
engineering profession and professionalism. Lastly, IEM should provide scholarship
for engineering student so they can focus on their study of engineering fields without
think about the financial.
 12

REFERENCES

[1] myiem. (n.d). benefits of joining. Retrieved from myiem:

http://www.myiem.org.my/content/benefits_of_joining_iem-60.aspx

[2] myiem. (n.d). Introduction. Retrieved from myiem:

http://www.myiem.org.my/content/introduction-261.aspx

[3] OHIO. (n.d). A Closer Look at Engineering Professions. Retrieved from

onlinemasters.OHIO: http://onlinemasters.ohio.edu/a-closer-look-at-
engineering-professions/

[4] PEO. (n.d). What is a Professional Engineer. Retrieved from PEO:

http://peo.on.ca/index.php?ci_id=1813&la_id=1