INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

The 'Institution of Engineering and Technology' ('IET') is a British professional body for those working in engineering and technology in the United Kingdom and worldwide. It was formed from two separate institutions: the Institution of Electrical Engineers, dating back to 1871,^[1] and the Institution of Incorporated Engineers. World-wide membership is in excess of 150,000. As of 2007, the president was Sir Robin Saxby and the secretary was Robin McGill. The Institution's London headquarters are in Savoy Place.
The IET is a registered charity.

Contents

Formation

Purpose and function

Grades of membership

The IET outside the United Kingdom

Australia

See also

Notes

External links

Formation

Discussions started in 2004 between the IEE and the IIE about the formation of the new institution. In September 2005 both institutions put the merger to the vote, and members voted in favour (73.5% IEE, 95.7% IIE). A petition was then made to the Privy Council for a Supplemental Charter, to allow the creation of the new institution. This was approved by the Privy Council on 14 December 2005 and the new institution came into being on 31 March 2006.
New Charter and Bye-laws were approved by Special General Meetings in September 2005; approximately 250 IEE members signed a petition calling for them to be reviewed by a working party. Therefore a further SGM on 22 March 2006 was called by the IEE and this approved the establishment of a working party tasked to report in December 2006.

Purpose and function

The IET represents the engineering profession in matters of public concern and assists governments to make the public aware of technological issues. It also provides advice on all areas of engineering, regularly advising Parliament and other agencies.
The IET also grants Chartered Engineer and Incorporated Engineer professional designations on behalf of the Engineering Council UK, equivalent to North American Professional Engineer designations, but with often a far greater geographical recognition.
This is made possible through a number of networks for engineers established by the IET including the Professional Networks, worldwide groups of engineers sharing common technical and professional interests. Through the IET website, these networks provide up-to-date sector-specific news, stock a library of technical articles and give members the opportunity to exchange knowledge and ideas with peer groups through dedicated discussion forums. Particular areas of focus include education, IT, energy and the environment.
The IET has an educational role, seeking to support its members through their careers, producing advice and guidance at all levels to secure the future of engineering.
For example, the IET accredits degree courses worldwide in subjects relevant to electrical, electronic, manufacturing and information engineering. In addition, it secures funding for professional development schemes for engineering graduates including awards scholarships, grants and prizes.
For the public, the IET website provides factsheets on topics such as solar power, nuclear power, fuel cells, micro-generation, and the possible effects on health of mobile phones and power lines.
The IET runs the bibliographic information service INSPEC, which is a major indexing database of scientific and technical literature, and publishes books, journals such as Electronics Letters, magazines, and conference proceedings. Over 50,000 technical articles are available via the IET Digital Library.

Grades of membership

The 'IET' has several grades of membership, some with designatory postnomials:
:'Honorary Fellow (HonFIET)'
:: The highest membership grade, awarded to persons of particular distinction.
:'Fellow (FIET)'
:: This grade is open to persons who have demonstrated significant individual responsibility, sustained achievement and professionalism in areas relevant to the interests of the Institution.
:'Member with postnomials (MIET or TMIET)'
:: This grade is open to professional engineers(MIET) and technicians(TMIET) with suitable qualifications and involvement in areas relevant to the interests of the Institution.
:'Member without postnomials'
:: Open to persons with an interest in areas relevant to the interests of the Institution who do not qualify for the 'Member with postnomials' grade.
:'Student'
:: Open to persons studying to become professional engineers and technicians.

The IET outside the United Kingdom

Australia

The IET Australia is the Australian branch of the IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology). The Australian branch of the IET has representation in all the States and territories of Australia. They include the state branches, their associated Younger Members' Sections and University sections in Aust.
The 'Younger Members Section' are divided in categories based on each state. eg. IET YMS New South Wales (IET YMS NSW). There is however, a national Young Members Board (YMB), that coordinates all of each sub-section.

See also

★ Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE)

★ Institution of Incorporated Engineers (IIE)

★ Society of Engineers

Notes

1. Engineering Council UK. ECUK Institution Details. Accessed on August 4, 2007
2. Engineering Council UK. ECUK Institution Details. Accessed on August 4, 2007

External links

★ Institution of Engineering and Technology

★ IET Endorsed Electrical Training Courses