Press release on 'ENGR' & 'IR'

PRESS RELEASE

In the early 1970’s and before the Board of Engineers Malaysia came into being, Corporate Members and Graduate Members of the Institution were entitled to use the designation “Ingenieur” or its abbreviated form “Ir.” before their names. This was provided under a clause in the IEM Constitution and a person with the title “Ir.” before his or her name therefore signified that he/she was a member of the Institution.

In 1989, the Constitution of the Institution had to be amended discontinuing the use of the said title as an amendment to the Registration of Engineers Act in 1974 since then provided the use of the title “Ir.” to registered professional engineers only. The original prefix title to a person’s name which signified membership of the Institution was therefore been taken away from the Institution.

Since then there were suggestions and calls for the Institution to look into the issue of a replacement title to its members. Many members feel that there is a need to provide an identity for the Corporate and Graduate Members of the Institution. The need for this became all the more urgent as it was further noted that the membership of the Institution has remained stagnant for the past few years.

After much deliberation, the Council of the Institution agreed that Corporate and Graduate Members of the Institution could have the abbreviation “Engr.” affixed in front of their names. The proposal was presented and approved by the members at the Annual General Meeting in 2005.

The idea is for members of the Institution to use the title for better standing and recognition and with the intention of promoting membership into the Institution. This is also one of the ways of branding the Institution. Graduate members can also use this title to the public at large with the confidence that an “Engr.” is one whose degree has been vetted and recognised by the Institution. When such prefixes are used IEM members are advised that they shall ensure that Grad IEM or MIEM or FIEM as the case may be are affixed after their names to clearly indicate their respective grade of membership of the IEM.

IEM members who are Professional Engineers registered with the Board of Engineers Malaysia are free to continue using the abbreviation “Ir.” affixed to the front of their name if they wish. “Engr.” is meant for the members of the IEM who wish to use this abbreviated title before their names.

The IEM wishes to announce that Article II of our Constitution, dealing with “Membership”, has been amended in the 2005 AGM, and approved by the Registrar of Societies in 2006; with a new paragraph that reads as follows: -

“Fellows, Members and Graduates shall be entitled to the use of the title “Engr.” placed before their names”

Note: Published by IEM