Engineering is a lifelong learning journey.
Why should we pursue Professional Engineer (PE) competency through the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) or Institute of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) ?
In my opinion, the answer goes beyond obtaining the prestigious title of Ir. or adding professional credentials to our names.
I see it from a much broader perspective.
It is part of our continuous learning journey as engineers.
We may have spent 5, 10, 15 or even 20 years working in the engineering industry. We have managed projects, solved technical problems, handled operational challenges, managed people, dealt with equipment failures and made decisions that affect our organizations.
But one question remains:
Does having many years of experience automatically make us competent professional engineers?
I believe experience alone is not enough. We must continuously evaluate, improve and expand our knowledge, skills and professional judgement.
1. Understanding Our Legal and Professional Responsibilities
In Malaysia, the engineering profession is regulated under the Registration of Engineers Act 1967 (Act 138).
The Act is not merely about establishing registration requirements for engineers. It provides a regulatory framework to ensure that engineering practice is undertaken by appropriately qualified and registered individuals.
Under Section 10(2), eligible engineers may be registered as Professional Engineers, subject to the prescribed requirements, including practical experience and professional assessment.
Section 7 also establishes restrictions on engineering practice by unregistered persons, subject to the provisions and exemptions under the Act.
This sends an important message: engineering is not just a job. It is a profession that carries responsibilities towards public safety, health and welfare.
2. Reassessing Our Professional Competency
The journey towards becoming a Professional Engineer requires us to reflect on our own professional experience.
What engineering problems have we successfully solved?
How do we make decisions when facing technical risks?
Are our decisions supported by data, engineering analysis and sound judgement?
How do we balance operational requirements, cost, safety and environmental considerations?
Do we understand the limitations of our own knowledge and expertise?
These questions require more than technical knowledge.
They require maturity, integrity, professional judgement and the ability to justify our decisions.
3. Developing a Broader Engineering Perspective
When we first started our engineering careers, our priorities might have been straightforward: ensuring machines operate properly, maintaining process efficiency, achieving production targets and resolving technical problems.
However, as we gain experience, our perspectives should also evolve.
Our responsibilities are not limited to machines and processes. They extend to people, occupational safety, environmental protection, organizational assets and business sustainability.
We must understand that a single engineering decision can have significant consequences for many stakeholders.
This is one of the important differences between someone who has engineering experience and someone who truly understands the responsibilities of the engineering profession.
4. Professional Ethics and Integrity
In engineering, making the right decision is not always easy.
Sometimes, we need to priorities safety even when there is pressure to reduce costs.
Sometimes, we need to communicate an uncomfortable truth, even when it is not what management wants to hear.
Sometimes, we need to acknowledge that our previous decisions were incorrect.
Being a Professional Engineer does not mean that we will never make mistakes.
Instead, it means having the courage to acknowledge mistakes, learn from them and ensure that corrective actions are taken.
Professional integrity is not demonstrated only when things go well. It is demonstrated most clearly when we face difficult decisions.
5. Lifelong Learning – Learning Never Ends
This is perhaps the point closest to my personal philosophy.
We should never stop learning after obtaining an engineering degree.
Neither should we stop learning after becoming a manager, department head or even a registered Professional Engineer.
Technology evolves. Standards change. Regulations are updated. Management approaches develop. Industry challenges become increasingly complex.
Therefore, engineers must remain willing to acquire new knowledge, listen to different perspectives and continuously improve themselves.
For me, pursuing Professional Engineer competency is also an opportunity to become a student again.
A student who learns from personal experiences, other people's experiences, failures, achievements, professional standards and technological developments.
MY PERSONAL REFLECTION
I believe that the journey of becoming an engineer is not about proving that we are better than others.
It is about proving to ourselves that we still have the willingness to learn, improve and accept greater responsibilities.
We may have accumulated many years of industry experience. However, yesterday's experience does not necessarily guarantee tomorrow's competency.
Do not make the professional title our final destination.
Instead, let it be a reminder that the higher the professional recognition we achieve, the greater the responsibility we must carry.
A degree gives us the foundation to become an engineer. Experience develops our judgement. Professional competency strengthens our responsibility. And lifelong learning keeps us relevant.
At the end of the day, the greatest achievement is not simply having the title of Professional Engineer.
It is becoming a better engineer, a better professional and, most importantly, a better human being.
LEARN. UNLEARN. RELEARN.
Because engineering is not just a career.
IT IS A LIFELONG LEARNING JOURNEY.
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