Professionalism and the

Role of a Professional
Ir Siow Yun Tong
Engineer
MIEM, PEng

Background of engineering
profession in Malaysia
The next few slides will give the audience
an idea of how engineers look at
professionalism in years gone by, and how
they are perceived by the general public,
in terms of their expertise, background,
training, qualifications, and attitudes
towards professionalism and code of ethics
in their work

Post-colonial Malaya
At

independence 31st August

1957

During the period before

independence in 1957 and
immediately thereafter,
membership of learned societies
for engineers (including pupil
engineers), with the ICE,
IStructE, IMechE, IEEE, and IEM
(after 1959) was considered the
pinnacle of Professionalism.
Souce: Engr. Rocky H.T. Wong, PEng, FIEM

Most Malayan engineers then were in the

employ of PWD (JKR), CEB/NEB (TNB), MR
(KTM), DID (JPS), Telecoms (TM), Universiti
Malaya (UM), etc.
A larger part of the early membership in IEM
came from amongst the rank of engineers
working for the government.
The earlier Past Presidents of IEM were
usually the Heads of those Government
Departments and Agencies.

Souce: Engr. Rocky H.T. Wong, PEng, FIEM

To be promoted in
government service an
engineer must prove that he is
a Professional Engineer meaning, he is an M.I.E.M~ a
gold standard hallmark of
professionalism; much
respected by peers and
Souce: Engr. Rocky H.T. Wong, PEng, FIEM

On the other hand, in

the private sector, an
engineer with IEM
corporate
membership such as;
MIEM or FIEM meant
that he had the
license to practise
consulting
engineering
in the
Souce:
Engr. Rocky H.T. Wong,
PEng, FIEM

A competitive consulting engineer

would endeavour to attain Corporate
Fellowship in IEM and additionally, in
a UK based engineering learned
society of his discipline e.g. ICE,
IStructE or IMech or IEEE, etc. which
would have earned him/her the title
C.Eng or Chartered Engineer
status.
Souce: Engr. Rocky H.T. Wong, PEng, FIEM

However, membership in IEM

(before the existence of BEM)
entitles the engineer to pre-fix
his name the appellation: Ir.
a qualified practitioner of
Souce: Engr. Rocky H.T. Wong,
PEng, FIEM
engineering;
equivalent
to the
status of C.Eng.
Ir means Ingenieur a Latin-

Only registered
Professional
Engineers are entitled
to use the designation

ENGINEER
DERIVED FROM LATIN
WORD

INGENIUM

"Scientists study the world as it is,

engineers create the world that never has been. "
-- Theodore Von Karman

INGENIUM

MEANS SKILL
OR TALENT
A Scientist can discover a new star
but he cannot make one, he would
have to ask an engineer to do it for
him

An noteworthy quote
Without

a doubt, the engineering

sector has contributed tremendously
to the growth and development of
Malaysia., as quoted by Dato
Paduka Ir Hj Keizrul bin Abdullah,
the Past President of the Institution of
Engineers, Malaysia (IEM), speaking
on current trends and future of
exciting engineering sector.
Source: http://malaysias100.com/careersadvice/looking-ahead-engineering-sector/

Design in engineering
The

essence of engineering is
design, quoted by B. V. Koen
Koen, Billy V. (1994) Toward a Strategy
for Teaching Engineering Design. Journal
of Engineering Education 83: 193

Needs of society drives

engineers

Therefore, we can say that engineers

translate ideas, concepts, and the
needs of the society into reality, says
Dato Paduka Ir Hj Keizrul bin Abdullah
(IEM President 2008/09).
Society needs for new things (product
and system design) requires the
services of design engineers.
As opposed to having scientists who
are required to study the natural things
and behaviour of the physical world as
it is.

Engineers in society NOT

scientists
One of the first sources of
confusion, particularly among
those who are not engineers or
scientists, is the distinction
between science and
engineering

Some will say that I'm an

academic and that I'm
supposed to be a scientist, but
I have this craving to be an
engineer, by Waldron

Waldron, K.J. (1992) Secret

Confessions of a Designer.
Mechanical Engineering Nov, 6062.

Relationship with science

discipline
There exists an overlap between the sciences
and engineering practice;

Both areas rely on accurate observation of

materials and phenomena.
Both use mathematics and classification criteria
to analyze and communicate observations.

Scientists

may be involved in engineering

tasks, e.g. designing experimental apparatus
or construct prototypes.
Conversely, in developing technology,
engineers may need to explore new
phenomena, a domain of scientists.

Engineers vs Scientists

As

stated by Fung et al. (1965) in Foundations of

Solid Mechanics, the following are key points.
Scientists try to understand nature. Engineers
try to make things that do not exist in nature.
Engineers stress on invention. ...
they are limited by insufficient scientific
knowledge. Thus they study mathematics,
physics,...
Often they have to add to the sciences relevant
to their profession. Thus engineering sciences are
born."

Reference
Foundations

of
Solid Mechanics
By Y C Fung
(1965)

Dissemination of scientific
knowledge
The

utilization
of scientific
knowledge over
time establishes
that some of the
knowledge is
immediately
relevant to
societal needs...

Scientific knowledge for

societal need
Engineering

is the
linkage between the
dissemination of
scientific knowledge for
the benefit of society
and community needs.
Hence, engineering is
the intersection or
overlap of the two.

Domain of engineering
application
This

overlap of scientific knowledge

with societal need, is the domain
of engineering (inter alia*).
If it is in the interest of society to
increase scientific knowledge, then
engineers and scientists have to
serve this societal need.
The central focus of the engineering
profession is the application of
scientific knowledge to meet
societal needs.
*Among other things

Analytical vs Creativity
This

analogy can be extended by

superimposing the distinction of
the creative versus the analytical
aspect of the human enterprise.

Exclusivity of analytical &

creativity aspects
One

may pursue creative efforts

without involving analytical skills,
and one may apply analytical skills
without entering the domain of
creativity.
For example, as engineers apply
commercial software to the solution
of an engineering problem, the
application of analytical skills, may
involve little or no creativity.

Combining the two

diagrams

=
Focus on these overlapping
Sectors A, B and C

Engineering contributions
SECTOR A

SECTOR B

SECTOR C

Engineering +
Analytical effort
Fulfilling societal need

Engineering +
Analytical + Creativity
effort Fulfilling
societal need

Engineering +
Creativity effort
Fulfilling societal need

Purely analytical
talents with the
engineering domain, to
model complex
systems and predict
their response to
various inputs under
various conditions.

Both creative and

analytical capability
can be used to
represent engineering
design and much "real
world" problem solving.

Creative capacity with

the engineering
domain, representing
those sudden intuitive
leaps leading to
revolutionary advances
in technology called
"significant novelty.

Occurred over the last

half century and has
benefitted most
directly from the
availability of fast

Developing innovative
products and
processes, to creating
an innovative bridge
design, to developing a

Not yet fully supported

by engineering science,
as it is regarded more
art than science.

Role of a Professional
Engineer
Engineering

is the application of
Science to the common purpose
of life, quoted by Count
Rumford, Benjamin Thompson,
1753-1814.

Engineering defined 1:
What?

Both art and science combined.

May be an approximation through a form
of set approach (by measurement,
estimation, forecast and projection).
May be a more detailed in approach (by
way of modeling and simulation) through
lab test or computing analysis.
Info dissemination, communicate through
report writing and submission, including
presentation.
Involves financing support to
realize/achieve an invention and design
processes.

Engineer defined 2:
Who?
A

person who is formally trained in

design, construction and use of
machines, structures or
systems/processes.
Usually in the following
branch/discipline: civil, mechanical,
electrical, etc.
By occupation, i.e. power plant designer
and operator, consultant, manager in
charge of implementing engineering
project or process.

Role of an engineer?
Developing

engineering principles
and their applications in technology.
Producing goods and services and
offering wide choices therein.
Safeguarding life, health and
property.
Promoting public comfort and
welfare, environmental protection
and sustainable development.

Impact of an engineer to
society
As

compared to other
professionals:

A surgeon/doctors mistake causes

death of one person.
A lawyers negligence results in one
person found guilty and jailed.
Whereas, an engineers mistake can
cause a major public disaster
resulting in hundreds or thousands
dead or injured,

Meaning of a profession
A

body of knowledge and skills

An outcome of an educational
process
A standardized qualification and
experience for a group
A standard of code of conduct
A formally recognized status
Examples:
Doctors, lawyers, accountants
Engineers, pilots, teachers

Professionalism in
engineering

Describes the work method or approach

of an engineer, either dealing with people
or solving engineering problem, to the
best of his/her ability through exercising
unbiased judgment and discretion in work
performance and selection.
The expected outcome should be to
serve the purpose of the client and not to
the detriment of public health and safety,
i.e. value-based and reflecting
commitment to society through ethical
behaviour.

Professionalism defined:
The

level of excellence or
competence that is expected of a
professional, in their work ethics and
attitude.
Or
The conduct, aims, or qualities that
characterize a professional person.
In laymans term: The skill, good
judgment and rational behaviour that
is expected from a person, adequately
trained to perform a job well.

How to attain
professionalism?

Through rigorous training and

character building.
Able to formulate and resolve
problems dispassionately or without
personal hindrance.
Inculcate ethical values through
observation, learning,
understanding and eventually
acceptance and adoption of such
values.

Professionalism in
behaviour
It

means a person who exhibit

the following towards others:

Respectful
Compassionate
Integrity
Servicing others (before one self)
Dependable / accoutable
Ethical values
Commitment to excellence

Qualities and characteristics

of a professional engineer
Knowledgeable
Responsive and responsible
Good communication skills
Willing to share knowledge and

teach

others
Place customer/client satisfaction first
Trustworthiness, i.e. can be trusted
Possesses positive attitude and exudes
confidence
Self-disciplined and self-motivated person
Humble, e.g. praise your peers not oneself
Follows exceptional guiding principles

Professional boundaries
Relationship

with others, i.e. do not

mix work and personal/family affairs.
Communication links, i.e. keep formal
and informal channels apart.
Self disclosure, i.e. be transparent in
all work dealings.
Exploitation, i.e. do not exceed
authority mandated by superior or
higher management.
Breach confidentiality, i.e. be discreet
in all work and business dealings,
even from close family members.

Desirable skills or
qualification of a professional
Combination of logic and flair, i.e.
engineer
systematic but can be flexible to
adapt.
Analytical approach to problemsolving, i.e. does not miss out details.
Inventive and resourceful, i.e. facing
many constraints.
Mathematically competent.
Adept (or proficient) as a
communicator.

Responsibilities of PE in
society

To develop new products / systems to

satisfy needs of society.
To manage waste/pollution to the
environment, i.e. for every input,
allowances are in place for outputs.
To generate national wealth, i.e. value
added services.
To manage finite resources and
sustainability.
To ensure occupational health and
safety.

It all starts at learning in

University
The

traits and behaviour of good

engineers are founded when they are
going through the learning process at
the universities, particularly at the
Faculty of Engineering.
Good lecturers giving good teaching
and guidance are very important.
All lecturers and students alike need
encouragement and inspirational
pep-talk.

Teaching engineering (refer

to earlier slides)
Current

approaches to teaching used in

engineering schools have been
designed more for developing
analytical skills (as in Sector A) than
creative skills (as in Sector C).
Some are developing both skills (as in
Sector B).
Note: Whichever approach is used,
students are expected to work or study
hard is that really true?...see next
slide

Study or no study? A joke!

Purpose of engineering
The

Accreditation Board for

Engineering and Technology (ABET)
identifies engineering as
"that profession in which knowledge of
the mathematical and natural sciences
gained by study, experience, and
practice is applied with judgment to
develop ways to utilize, economically,
the materials and forces of nature "for
the benefit of mankind" [emphasis
added].

Need for lifelong learning

A

significant measure of an
engineering education is the degree to
which it has prepared the graduate to
pursue a productive engineering career
that is characterized by continued
professional growth.
Criteria for Accrediting Programs in
Engineering in the United States, Section
IV.C.2. Effective for Evaluation During the
1995-96 Accreditation Cycle, Engineering
Accreditation Commission, Accreditation
Board for Engineering and Technology,
USA.

Never too young or too

old
Wealth creation
incentive

Fresh university students

to learn new tricks!

Industry veterans at seminar

Continuing Professional
Development
Further

training for practicing PEs in order

to maintain registration with BEM as a PE.
In order to achieve a minimum of 50 CPD
points, based on hours spent on attending
seminars, talks, courses, reading up
journal articles, writing reports, papers for
publication, or any engineering knowledge
development activity.
Since started in mid-2000, it is very
frequent to achieve high attendance in
IEM and BEM-organized events and
activities.

Engineering more than just

numbers
An

education that only uses classroom

problems where all variables are
accurately known and only one correct
answer exists, misrepresents job
situations for engineers, and stifles
creativity.
A trend toward using open-ended
problems in the engineering classroom
is a healthy step in the direction of
more complete and relevant
engineering education.

Not just number crunching

Semester project work

(15%)
Refer to project work slide for
further details

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE
MEETING FOR
MAY 2013 SESSION

ON 5 JUNE 2013
FROM 4.00-6.00PM
TH

LOCATION :
RC-LTB

Fill in the
Class Rep
Form and

Class rep
matters

Need to nominate
class rep & assist
class rep
Pls suggest
names and to
give particulars,
e.g. IC No,
contact email and
hp no.

END OF THIS TOPIC

NEXT WILL BE ON
ENGINEERING CODE
OF ETHICS