PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND ETHICS

ENGINEERING EDUCATION

CIVE 517 Dr. S.D Mayunga

mayungas@biust.ac.bw
Engineering Education
This session will cover the following key issues

 Engineering Education

 Accreditation of Engineering Education

 11 outcomes of engineering education

 Accrediting bodies and the Washington Accord

 Engineering Councils

 Professional Engineer status and Chartership

 Other institutions and professional associations

Engineering education

Engineering Education is an activity of teaching

knowledge and principles to the professional practice
of Engineering to:

 develop products and processes that contribute to

economic growth
Engineering education
According to Engineering Criteria (EC2000)
A good undergraduate engineering degree program
should cover three major categories:
1) Foundational Category
Mathematics, natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences

2) Technical Category
Materials science, mechanics, experiments, problem-solving, design,
sustainability, contemporary issues, project management

3) Professional Category
Communication, leadership, teamwork, professional and ethical responsibility,
business and public administration
There are 11 outcomes of engineering
education

1. Mathematics, science, and engineering—an ability to apply knowledge of

mathematics, science, and engineering

2. Experiments—an ability to conduct experiments, analyze and interpret data

3. Design—an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet

desired Needs

4. Multidisciplinary teams—an ability to function/work on multidisciplinary

teams

5. Engineering problems—an ability to identify, formulate, and solve

engineering Problems
There are 11 outcomes of engineering education
7. Communication—an ability to communicate effectively

8. Impact of engineering solutions—the ability to understand the impact of

engineering solutions in a global and societal context

9. Lifelong learning—the ability to engage in lifelong learning (self-motivated

learning)

10. Contemporary issues—knowledge of various events, policies, and

developments of an educational nature

11. Engineering tools—an ability to understand techniques, skills, and

modern engineering tools necessary for engineering applications
Accreditation
Meeting a minimum standard
 Within the education sector, students and sponsors who
invest their time and money into attaining a qualification
should expect that it has given them a minimum
standard of teaching and learning.
 Therefore, accreditation bodies are established to assess
institutions and courses offered and whether they fit
minimum education qualifications.

 Not all institutions have to be accredited, but those

guarantee a minimum standard.
Accreditation
Advantages of Accreditation: It ensures
 The standard of the teachers or lecturers meet
minimum requirements, in terms of their
qualifications, experience, and practice

 The institutions have the required

infrastructure and facilities to deliver its
education programs to a minimum standard

 The course structure and content are suitable and sufficient to

meet a minimum standard relative to the qualification awarded
 Accreditation
BQA and academic accreditation
The Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA) was established in
2013 to:
 Provide for and maintain the National Credit and
Qualifications Framework

 Coordinate the education, training, and skills

development quality assurance system, from early
childhood to tertiary level

The government of Botswana will not sponsor students on non-BQA courses

 Accreditation
BQA and academic accreditation
They accredit learning programmes within Botswana to:

 ensure quality teaching and learning provision

 promote coherence in qualifications

 Enable access, equity, relevancy, mobility and progression

 Ensure that education and training standards are continuously

maintained

 Contribute towards the credibility and marketability of education

and training systems locally, regionally, and internationally
The government of Botswana will not sponsor students on non-BQA courses
Accreditation
Engineering accreditation
 In many countries, engineering degrees can apply for an
additional level of accreditation, from the relevant engineering
council.
 This level of accreditation is administered through, or in
partnership with, engineering institutes or institutions, and
requires specific standards relating to engineering education.

 In other countries, engineering accreditation may lead to a

BEng degree rather than a BSc in engineering, and accredited
degrees make professional incorporation or chartership easier
to attain.
 Accreditation
The Washington Accord
 The Washington Accord is an international
agreement between bodies responsible for
accrediting engineering degree programs

 The Accord was signed in 1989 between six countries,

recognizing that degrees accredited by engineering councils
in those countries would be recognized in all signatory
countries.

 The six original countries were Australia, Canada, Ireland, New

Zealand, USA and UK.
 Accreditation
The Washington Accord

 Currently, there are now 21 signatories, with Costa Rica the latest
to join (2020). There are seven (7) provisional signatories, who are
recognized as developing towards full signatory status.

 The only African signatory of the Washington Accord is

South Africa, which gained full signatory status in 1999.

 Aim: To make engineering education internationally

transferable
Engineering Councils
 All Washington Accord signatory countries are
represented by a National Engineering council

 These Engineering councils act as regulatory bodies within

their countries, setting out and maintaining standards for
engineering educational accreditation and professional
engineer registration.
Engineering Councils
Example: ECSA – The Engineering Council of South Africa
 ECSA is the engineering council in South
Africa, the only African signatory to the
Washington Accord.

 It has also accredited degree programs in

Namibia, Mozambique and Botswana

 ECSA also provides Professional Engineer status,

as their benchmark of charters/incorporation.
This enables engineers to use the title Pr. Eng.
after their name.
Engineering Councils
ECSA accreditation of courses
 ECSA provides accreditation of courses to the title BSc(Eng),
BEng, and MEng,

 such that will be recognized through the Washington Accord as

fulfilling the basic educational requirement for
charters/incorporation
 Core requirements are that the course should contain not less
than 560 credits (5,600 study hours)
ERB
The Botswana Engineers Registration Board

 The ERB was established in 2009 by the Engineers

Registration Act.

 The objective is to ensure that engineers carry out their duties

according to the stipulated regulations and do not endanger
or jeopardize the public's health, safety, funds, interest
or anything else impacted.

All engineers practicing in Botswana are required by law to register

ERB
The Botswana Engineers Registration Board

 As stipulated under Section 4A of the Engineers Act (Cap

61:06), the two main objectives are to:

1. "promote the highest standards of engineering practice in

Botswana" and to

2. "protect the welfare and interest of the public in the

engineering practice"

All engineers practicing in Botswana are required by law to register

ERB
Recognition of education
 To register with the ERB, candidates must have a relevant
undergraduate degree or diploma.

(a) Subject to the Engineers Registration Act (Chapter 16.06), a

person shall be entitled to apply for registration with the
Board if he/she is [Section 8(1)(b)]:

(b) a person who is the holder of a degree in Engineering,

diploma or license which is recognized by the Board.
 ERB
Registration with ERB
There are three levels of registration with the ERB:

1) Graduate Engineer
 Either a diploma, advanced diploma, technology degree or a
degree in any recognized engineering discipline.

 Less than four(4) years post-qualification experience in the

engineering
 ERB
Registration
There are three levels of registration with the ERB:

2) Registered Engineer

1. Possess either a diploma, advanced diploma, technology degree

or a degree in any recognized engineering discipline.

2. Have more than four(4) years post post-qualification experience

in the engineering discipline

3. Be unable to demonstrate all the required competencies for

registration as a Professional.
ERB
Registration
3) Professional Engineer
1. Either a diploma, advanced diploma, technology degree or a
degree in any recognized engineering discipline.

2. More than four(4) years post-qualification experience in the

engineering discipline you want to register for.
Submit a report on post graduate engineering experience written according to
outlined competencies relevant for the credential you are applying for.
Problem analysis (PRO) Managing Engineering Activities (MEA)
Design or development of Solutions (DDS) Judgement (JUD)
Evaluation (EVA) Communication (COM)
Responsibility for Decisions (RFD) Identify, assess and manage risks (RISK)
Chartership
Incorporation or Professional Engineer status
The Professional Engineer status awarded by the ERB is similar to other
recognitions around the globe:
In the UK, a candidate can apply for Chartered Engineer (CEng)
status with an accredited Masters degree (or post-graduate
diploma), and minimum of 4 years work experience with a
professional review and interview.

In the EU, a candidate can apply for European Engineer (Eur Ing)
status with an accredited degree and minimum of 7 years
experience (including education) and a professional review.
Chartership
Incorporation or Professional Engineer status

In the US, a candidate can apply for Professional Engineer status

with an accredited degree and minimum of 4 years work
experience, as well as passing a ‘Fundamentals of Engineering’
exam and a ‘Principles and Practice in Engineering’ exam.

In South Africa, a candidate can apply for Professional Engineer

status with an accredited degree and minimum of 3 years work
experience, as well as a professional review and (for Civil
Engineers) undertaken two written exams.
 Chartership
ERB Professional Engineer status – professional review
(a) The applicant is required to submit a separate 2,000-4,000
words Report on Post-Graduate Engineering Experience,

(b) The applicant is required to describe in detail his involvement in

not more than four projects that he/she regards as the
highlights of his professional experience in the branch of
engineering that he is seeking registration.
 Chartership
ERB Professional Engineer status – professional review
(b) For each project, the applicant shall describe his involvement in
the technical, managerial, contractual, regulatory and other areas
that he was involved in.

(c)He shall describe his/her personal contribution and

responsibilities, the problems faced, the solution(s) found, the
engineering and other judgments made and the impact the
solution(s) and judgments generated.
 Chartership
ERB Professional Engineer status – professional review

(d) In preparing his report, he/she shall refer to the Checklist For
Professional Assessment and demonstrate how he has achieved all
of the elements of competence in the Checklist (competence
element(s) addressed should be indicated in the headings of the
write-up or in the margins of the pages).

(e) The wording of the report for each project should be such as to
clearly indicate how these elements have been demonstrated.
 Chartership
ECSA Professional Engineer status
 Chartership
ECSA Professional Engineer status
Recognition of education

 The BIUST BEng Civil & Environmental Engineering program

has been designed to fulfill all ECSA requirements,

 No official ECSA accreditation yet

Chartership
ECSA Professional Engineer status
Professional review
Continuous self-assessment to reach specific level (1-4) in five
areas:
1. Professional Environment

2. Developing an Engineering Brief

3. Designing a Solution

4. Documentation 5. Implementation
Chartership
All councils require evidence of Continuing Professional
Development (CPD)
 Continuing Professional Development demonstrates an
engineer’s ability to identify their strengths and weaknesses,
and their commitment to keep on learning and improving after
completing their formal education

 Many different items can count as CPD, and each council will
have their own guidelines

 CPD is reviewed annually or bi-annually, and can be

incorporated into an employer’s performance review
Chartership
Benefits of chartership
1) to lead projects in certain countries.

2) to confer higher salaries.

3) Many Engineering Councils (especially within the Washington

accord countries) allow easy transfer of CEng/Eur Ing/Pr Eng
status, enabling flexibility in where you work

4) It provides goals and self-assessment for continuously

improving skills and experience, both in-depth and breadth
BIE
Botswana Institution of Engineers

 The Botswana Institution of Engineers was founded in 1983

 It is a society of engineers concerned with the development of

engineers in the country to:

1) the advancement and to facilitate the acquisition of

engineering knowledge.

2) promote general interest in the profession and maintain

acceptable engineering standards.
BIE
Activities
The institution’s activities include:
 Holding or organizing conferences and seminars to educate and interact
with people in the engineering field.
 Sponsored walks
 Presentations around the country to schools, companies, and other
stakeholders.
 Maintain a library of books, journals, and periodicals relating to engineering
and its allied sciences and encourage the publication of books, periodicals,
and papers.
• Ascertain and publish the views of the engineering profession on matters of
public importance which lie within its competence
 Co-operate as may seem conducive to any of these objects, with national
and international organizations and to supplement their work.
Other engineering institutions

Associated institutions to Civil Engineering

Given the broad nature of the discipline, there are many other
institutions that are closely associated with Civil Engineering
Professional bodies
Membership of professional bodies
Other professional bodies can also provide benefits, such as
specialized conferences, training events, and networking

International
Association for Bridge
and Structural
Engineering

Association of Consulting Engineers Botswana

Fédération Internationale
du béton:
International Federation
for Structural Concrete
Other institutions
Associated institutions to Mechanical Engineering

International Academy Society of

for Production Automotive
Engineering Engineers

Society of
Manufacturing
Engineers International
Society of
Mechatronics
Engineers
Further reading
Textbook chapter 1
CPD guidelines from the ERB
ERB application for Graduate membership
ECSA discipline specific guidelines
(Civil, Industrial, Manufacturing)
YouTube:
Engineering Council – Your Journey to Professional Registration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGOJjApc-h0

The Value of a Professional Engineer License

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdCFFImNlSc
 Course textbook

Engineering your Future: The

professional practice of engineering
Wiley Press, ISBN: 978-0470900444

Available as an online copy with Bookshelf or Kindle