Route to

Professional
Engineer
Via
THE INSTITUTION OF
ENGINEERS,
MALAYSIA

2015

Professional Examination &

Interview

Professional
Examination and
Interview

SITI HAWA HAMZAH

(PhD, P.Eng, FIEM, Hon MAFEO ASEAN
Engr, MPWI, MRM, PWSM)
Professor, Faculty of Civil Engineering,
UiTM
Principle Interviewer (2007-present),
Second Interviewer (2005-2006)
Sub Com on Professional Interview (now
as PI Board)
(2001-2003, 2004-2005)
2015

Professional Examination &

Interview

1 JAN 2007
IEM CONDUCTS
ALL
PROFESSIONAL
INTERVIEWS

2015

Professional Examination &

Interview

UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE ENGINEER
MINIMUM STANDARD OF PRACTICAL TRAINING
UPGRADING
PROFESSIONAL INTERVIEW

IEM CORPORATE MEMBER

PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER BEM
2015

Professional Examination &

Interview

PUBLIC & PRIVATE

UNIVERSITIES IN
MALAYSIA
Accrediting Body
Engineering Accreditation Council
(EAC)
Members:
Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)
The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM)
Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA)
Public Services Department (JPA)
Malaysian Council of Engineering Deans (MCED)

2015

Professional Examination &

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ENGINEERING IN
MALAYSIA
Engineering profession in Malaysia is
regulated by the Registration of Engineers
Act, 1967 (revised in 1974, 1987, 1989,
2002, 2007)
Under Registration of Engineers Act, The
Board of Engineers, Malaysia (BEM) was
established to administer ALL provisions
Only Graduate Engineers and Professional
Engineers registered with BEM are entitled
to practice engineering in Malaysia
All Engineers MUST register with BEM
within 6-months of engineering practice
Web site: www.bem.org.my

2015

Professional Examination &

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BEM & IEM

Regulatory
body for
engineering
practices in
Malaysia set-up
under the
Registration of
Engineers Act,
1967. All
engineering
practitioner
MUST register
with BEM within
6-months of
practice
2015

A learned
institution for
practicing
engineers in
Malaysia;
networking,
technical
learning and
socializing
group

Professional Examination &

Interview

ACADEMIC
REQUIREMENTS

GRADUATE
REGISTRATION

TRAINING
REQUIREMENTS

PROFESSIONAL
REGISTRATION

IEM
Accredited
Engineering
Degree
(normal
route)

BEM
Graduate
Engineer

IEM
Graduate
Member

Min 3yrs
relevant
work
experiences

Recognised
Masters in
Engineering
2015

IEM Corporate
Member

BEM

IEM/BEM
Part 1,II,III
Unrecognised
Engineering
Degree

Professional
Assessment
Examination

Completed
60-hrs of
PDP

Continuing
Professional
Development
Professional Examination &
Professional Examination &
Interview

Competency
Assessment
Examination

Professional
Engineer
8

PRE-REQUISITE
Completed an engineering degree
programme accredited by EAC.
Min of 3 yrs in planning, design,
execution or management of such
works as are comprised within the
profession of an Engineer, from the
date of graduate registration with BEM
(ensure recognised qualification)
Min of 12 mths experience in Malaysia
Log book to be endorsed by Mentor at
quarterly intervals and once a year by
IEM
Completed min of 60 units of PDP
(those register with BEM after 1 Jan
2005). The Mandatory Training covers
subjects like Code of Ethics,
Engineering Mgmt, Safety & Health,
and topics related to branch of
engineering
2015

Professional Examination &

Interview

PRACTICAL TRAINING
FOR GRADUATES
Be trained under a Professional
Engineer for a period of AT
LEAST 3 YEARS AFTER
GRADUATION WITH AN
ACCREDITED ENGINEERING
DEGREE
Experience should be acquired in
design and site besides
application of engineering
science and knowledge
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RECOGNISED
TRAINING
Graduate Engineer
Organisation Without

anisation with
P.Eng

P.Eng

Training
Same Organisation
Same discipline

Mentor Selected by IEM

Use IEM
Log Book - Regularly

Meet Mentor Regularly and

Certification
Certification of
Graduate's Work

Submission to IEM for

Endorserment once a year
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MENTOR
May be Corporate Member of
IEM / Professional Engineer
from the same organisation
OR
a MIEM / PEng in any
Consulting Firm who is aware
of your work to certify your
report
OR
apply to IEM for a mentor

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RESPONSIBILITY OF
A MENTOR
GUIDANCE TO YOUNG
GRADUATE
MONITOR PROGRESS OF
YOUNG GRADUATES
ASSIST GRADUATES IN THE
TRAINING PROGRAMME
REVIEW DOCUMENTATION
OF GRADUATES TO
ENSURE ADEQUATE
QUALITY

2015

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13

MENTOR &
LOG BOOK
Special scheme whereby IEM
helps Graduate Members
acquire guided experience
Log book to be endorsed by
Mentor at quarterly intervals
Once a year by IEM
Candidate is required to
maintain the Log Book and
regularly meet the Mentor to
get his/her advice or guidance
in his/her work.
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OVERSEAS TRAINING
For those who had returned
from overseas, the experience
MUST be certified by a
Professional Engineer or its
equivalent of the respective
countries and countersigned by
a local MIEM / P.Eng (usually
the current employer)
BEMs requirement that the
candidate should have gained
at least one year working
experience in Malaysia
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RESEARCH CANDIDATE
1. be engaged in engineering
research work at the time of
application.
2. have been engaged, in a
responsible position, on
engineering research for a period
of at least 2 years.
3. have had in addition to (2) above,
either (A) or (B)
A) not less than 4
years experience
which may include
Up to 1 year approved
post graduate study
Up to 3 years on research
for higher degree
Research whilst being a
teacher

2015

B) not less than 3

years practical
experience of which
not less than 2 years
have been in
investigation, planning
design, construction or
management of
engineering works.

Professional Examination &

Interview

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TEACHER IN
ENGINEERING
1. be engaged in teaching an approved
engineering degree at the time of
application.
2. have been engaged in teaching the
final 2 years of the engineering
degree courses for a period of at
least 1 year
3. have 1 year equivalent practical
experience, (can be cumulative) plus
Not less than 3 years experience which may
include:
an approved course of full time post-graduate study
OR
on research for the award of a higher degree
OR
research done whilst holding the position of teacher
in an approved degree course
2015

Professional Examination &

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17

CIVIL ENGINEERING
CANDIDATES
Are required to have:
At least twelve months of site experience
At least twelve months of design
experience

OTHER DISCIPLINES
Are required to have:
At least six months of design experience
At least six months of site experience

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In order to have your

application duly
processed promptly,
ensure that all
required documents
are submitted and
forms completed
according to
instructions

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IEM/PI(1)
IEM/PI(1) is to be
completed according to
instructions, submit to
IEM with payment

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2015

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IEM/PI(1)
This application form is to be signed by a
proposer and a seconder, one of whom
MUST be a FELLOW or a Corporate
Member of 10 yrs with IEM.
The proposer or seconder DO NOT have to
be in the same branch of engineering as the
applicant (Item 5)
The IEM/PI(1) application forms are to be
submitted in duplicate.
The signatures on these forms need to be
original.
Indicate the language and discipline that you
wish to be interviewed in. (Item 7)
This form is to be submitted together with
RM200.00 PI fee for those who are not
Graduate Members of the IEM. (Item 10)
For IEM Graduate Members seeking
transfer to MIEM, a PI fee of RM150.00 is
payable
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Item12
Total period is to be stated in
terms of years and months and
should be counted from the date
of graduation of Bachelor degree
Description of practical training
and working experience MUST
be clear, concise and properly
categorized as per format given.
Attachments may be used if
space given is not sufficient.
Totals of all columns should be
stated in the first column.
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2015

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Endorsement
Please note that pages 3 and 4
should be endorsed by 2
engineers who could be a P.
Eng or a Member of IEM or
could be from your proposer or
seconder on Page 1.
The date of your declaration
MUST be after the dates of
your proposer / seconder
signatures.
Do not submit any project,
training reports or drawings at
this stage
2015

Professional Examination &

Interview

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IEM/PI(2)
IEM/PI(2) is to be
submitted together with
reports and drawings
upon notification from
Interviewer

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2015

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PROFESSIONAL
ENGINEER

Ethical, Competent,
Intellectual, Mature &
Responsible

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Able to
analyse
& solve
engineering
problems

Good management &

Communication skills

Able to perform
design works
& site
supervision
Assume
responsibilities
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THE
PROFESSIONAL
INTERVIEW

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PURPOSE OF PI
The purpose of the
Professional Interview is to
gauge the Engineers ability in
grasping the application of
engineering principles
capability to accept
professional responsibilities
communicating
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DOCUMENTS TO BE
SUBMITTED TO
PRINCIPLE
INTERVIEWER
2 copies of a typewritten report on A4
paper, properly indexed and
separated in a ring file, giving an
account of the training and experience
at least 2 and not more than 4 working
drawings; AND
detailed design calculations relating to
one or more of the candidates own
submitted drawings; AND

specifications; AND

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Cont a set of quantities, comprising abstract,

take off sheets or shop list relating either
to one of the submitted drawings or to
another drawing, not prepared by the
candidate which must also be
submitted;
Every drawing and document is to be
signed by the Professional Engineer,
who is in a responsible position as the
employer or the principal for it or under
whom it was prepared
Drawings and documents submitted
shall be the work of the candidate in the
ordinary course of his employment.
Drawings and documents prepared as
exercises during university or college
courses are not admissible

2015

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35

ORAL INTERVIEW
Interviewer would have gone
through the training report and
design documents
Probing questions,
questions discuss issues
to ascertain the ability to solve
problems stated or other similar
cases, and confirm experience
* Basic Engineering
* Training And Experience
* Project/Drawings/
Calculations
Duration - 30 45 minutes

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ESSAYS
SECTION A
*training and
experience
*basic engineering
SECTION B
*code of ethics

2015

Candidates need to pay

attention to language,
grammar, format,
content and ssstyle
Duration 1 hr 30 min each
Professional Examination &
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SECTION A
basic engineering knowledge
professionalism of candidate
- experience in design works
- experience in site works
- project work
To answer ONE from two
questions set

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SECTION B
Candidates are to demonstrate :
understanding of the professional
code of ethics and conduct
understanding of the ROLE of
engineers in the society vis--vis
his professional Code of Ethics
ability in writing and presenting in
a clear and concise manner
To choose ONE from two
questions chosen by the
interviewer from the list of 15
questions
Code of Ethics

2015

Professional Examination &

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39

PREPARATION FOR
THE ESSAYS

2015

Should have good understanding

of the issues relating to the
topics
Can be developed through good
experience, exposure to the
problems and issues at work
Reading regularly on these
issues (knowledge of previous
designs, best practices and
worst practices, failures etc); and
Participating in professional
activities, seminars, talks, forums
etc.
Professional Examination &
Interview

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SOME TIPS
PREPARING REPORT
WRITE
Interesting and essential details
Draw correct conclusions
DO NOT WRITE
Nonsense
Inconclusive situations
Non-specific jobs
UNSURE WORKS
Lengthy sentences without headings
Works not carried out personally
2015

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GOOD TRAINING REPORT

Should show candidate has
undergone sufficient training
in design and site experience
Should not just list chronicle
work carried out but
DISCUSS problems
encountered, solutions found
and experiences gained from
it to show competency in that
area

2015

Professional Examination &

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42

DRAWING
avoid submission of drawings
etc produced by the
organisation (employer) with
minimal input by the candidate
drawings / design should
reflect the candidates own
work
design etc should be of
sufficient level to justify
granting professional status

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It can be helpful if your drawings were not too

large as the Interviewer
may
Professional Examination
& wish to bring
2015
Interview
44
them home
to study.

DESIGN
(CALCULATIONS)
computerised calculations
must be must be accompanied
with manual calculations,
showing assumptions and
considerations required in the
design and justify selection

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A heavy wad of print-outs is not only

difficult to carry,
it is also
likely to
Professional Examination
&
2015
exasperate Interview
the Interviewer 46

IMPORTANT NOTES
DO NOT
Postpone the Interview
unnecessarily
Request for change of
Interviewer without valid
reasons
Submit reports late
Ring IEM too often
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Presentation, Grooming,
Confidence, Clarity

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ORAL INTERVIEW
INTERVIEWERS NORMALLY
ASK:
What has been done
Why has it been done
Does the candidate fully
understand what has been done
What engineering decisions
has been made
What investigations and
considerations were undertaken
to reach the conclusion

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ESSAYS
What Interviewers look for in
Essays?
Knowledge & Relevance
Length (~ 1000 words in 1 hr
30 mins) each
Grammar, argument &
presentation
Clear expression of thoughts

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PI STATISTICS
1990-2014

Average passes 88.5 %

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FAILURE CAUSES
(Based on experience and some
comments by examiners)
Submit documents that do not meet
the criteria thus will take up longer
time and cause waiting delays
Submit drawings etc with minimal
input by candidate
Drawings / design doesnt reflect
candidates own work
Design at insufficient level to justify
granting professional status
Computerised calculations

Flow chart
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52

NEW BEM
REQUIREMENTS
Aspiring PE registering
with the BEM after:
1st Jan-2005 as BEM Graduate
Engineer required to Undergo a
period of Professional
Development Program (PDP)
1st Jun-2008 aspiring Professional
Engineer required to undergo
Competency Assessment
Examination (CAE)

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Professional Development
Program (PDP)
60 HOURS
Mandatory Learning
8hr: OSH and
Environment
8hr: Engineering
Management
8hr: Code of
Ethics
Additional Learning
36hr: Courses /
Seminars or
Talks in the
Engineering
Discipline of
Candidate
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Competency Assessment
Examination (CAE)
Those applying PI or PAE after 31/5/2008 (BEM
Letter to IEM, Ref. BEM/PBL/01 dated 6/3/2007)

To be conducted Quarterly or Twice yearly. (First

exam planned in Nov/Dec 2008)

Two Papers of 3-hours each (MOST LIKELY)

Paper-1: For all disciplines
Part-1: Short answer Questions. Objective-type questions
Part-2: Long answer Questions; Subjective-type questions
option to choose; say 20 of 30 questions
All assessment is Open Book; Act, Regulations, Codes
and Standards can be brought along. Expected to cover
Engineers Act and Regulations, Environmental Quality
Act, OSHA, UBBL

Paper-2: For specific discipline; civil, mechanical,

chemical and electrical
Long answer Questions; Subjective-type questions
option to choose; say 15 of 20 questions
Expected to cover Codes/Standards to each
engineering discipline
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Continuing Professional
Development (CPD)
50 HOURS (from
1/1/2006)
Mandatory to
Renew License
Formal Educational
and Training
Activities
Informal Learning
Activities - on job
learning & private
study
Conference and
Meeting
Presentation and
Papers
Service activities
Industry Involvement
(for academician)
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CONCLUSION
If you have the correct
experience and reflect it in the
documents, the interview
should proceed smoothly
Prepare well for it!
DEMONSTRATE COMPETENCY /
MASTERY OF THE
REQUIREMENTS IN THE AREAS
OF WORK NECESSARY FOR A
PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER

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BIGGEST HOLE ON EARTH,

DIAMOND MINE, EASTERN
SIBERIA, 525 m DEEP AND 1.25
km IN DIAMETER

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