QUESTION :

Professionalism cannot be taught by regurgitating the IEM regulations on professional

conduct nor by memorizing a set of rules. Do you agree with the statement and why?

Introduction :

The Institution of Engineer Malaysia (IEM) is a society established to promote and advance

the Science and Profession of Engineering in any or all its disciplines and to facilitate the

exchange of information and ideas related to Engineering. The IEM come up with the vision

which aims to be the premier professional Organization pivotal achieving Vision 2020. One

of the objective of IEM is to promote honourable practice and professional etiquette among

members of The Institution and to achieve the objective, IEM had create the regulations on

professional conduct. The regulation on professional conduct is a Code of Professional

Conduct designed to cover all eventualities must necessarily be written in general terms

expressing broad ethical principles. Almost every case of doubt as to the proper course of

action required to conform to the Code of Professional Conduct arises from a conflict

between a member’s personal interest and his duty to others.

Regulations issued by the Council to interpret the Code indicate the manner in which

members are required to conduct themselves in a number of situations that are frequently

encountered. For example, the regulations, basically, require members to uphold the dignity

of the profession, be honest and fair to all parties, ensure works constitute no danger, do not

jeopardize the benefits of his fellow engineers. In other situations, members are required to

order their conduct in accordance with the principle that, in any conflict between a

member’s personal interest and fair and honest dealing with other members of the

community, his duty to the community must prevail. The Regulations on Professional

Conduct are made by the Council under Section IX of the Bylaws. In these regulations

‘member’ means a member of any grade referred to in Section II of the Bylaws, and

‘employer’ includes ‘client’.

By memorizing this set of regulations and rules, though cannot ensure professionalism of an

engineer, these rules are introduction and basic qualifying requirement and essential

guidelines that all members must remember. After memorizing and understand them with

heart, there are certain aspects are also much desired to attain professionalism of the

engineers.

ANSWER :

Professionalism cannot be taught by regurgitating the IEM Regulations on Professional

Conduct nor by memorizing a set of rules. Yes, I do agree with this statement. What is the

definition of professional. Professional person is one who engages in an activity that requires

as specialised and comprehensive education, and is motivated by a strong desire to serve

humanity. Professional thinks and acts in a manner that brings favour upon the individual

and the entire profession. Professional, besides technically competent, shall have a positive

attitude toward life that is continually reinforced by educational accomplishment and

professional service. Professionalism is a way of thinking and living rather than an

accumulation of learning. Professionalism cannot be taught by stating a code of ethics nor

by memorising a set of rules. It is depends on the individual attitude to achieve it. A strong

professional sense is of undoubted benefit to the profession concerned in terms of morale

and vocational satisfaction. It is also a fact that the community benefits when it is served by

a professional whose standing is recognised, in terms both of status and rewards. It is

through the development of a strong professional attitude that the professional man is

motivated to give his biggest contribution to the community. It is probable that professional

attitude and professional motivation are pre-requisities to community recognition and to a

reasonable level of reward, but the one depends very much upon the other.

Ethics means something more than law and morals, it carries an additional connotation of

rightness. The code, therefore, is not a list of rules to govern every problem of conduct, nor

is it a broad statement of ideals. It is a statement off the principles of rightness, of broad

scope, and with enough detail to enable an intelligent man to deduce for himself the course

of his own professional conduct. The essence of all professional codes is that the

professional man must be worthy, through his conduct, of the trust placed in him by the

community and the colleague. This gives rise to a universal rule of life for every engineer

who spires to true professional status. So that to act in every situation in a manner that will

add to the confidence and esteem in which his profession is held by the community.

Depending on the IEM regulations is not the best way to create the professionalism actions.

Training and easily skills in term of professional engineer is important to develop the

personality of engineer. In addition, engineers develop new technologies solutions and

responsible to specify the problem, conducting, narrowing research, analysing criteria,

finding, and so on. Therefore, preparation in term of somatic and mental is one of the main

factors that contribute for the professional ethic later.

Therefore, there are certain aspect that can contribute to attain professionalism of an

engineer, there are :

1. Self-awareness and agreement to the importance of stipulated rules and regulations

Laws, regulations and rules are being introduced, developed, improved and enforced when

society was forming and growing. In other words, civilisation was created with co-existence

of rules and regulations. The rules and regulations are reference of accepted conducts for

own comfort from all aspects and not jeopardizing the same of others. All members in the

community will live in harmony situation and to make progress with healthy and positive

competition ways when there are orders and everyone adhered to them. For one to adhere

to rules and regulations, his agreement and understanding to the rules is important. Then,

he will only pledge to follow the rules.

For instance, some of the IEM regulations of professional conduct prohibit members from

using self-laudatory works in advertisement or do not maliciously injure the reputation and

prospect of other engineers.

In my opinions, engineering works are application of science knowledge to improve living

standard of human. Engineers are those involved with the roles. This kind of roles are

informative and implementation patterns and not adjective and praising ways. It is

important so that we can perform our duties with real understanding and attending to

engineering problems sincerely. We do not say or make public perceive that we could

perform something extraordinary or can do much better or no one else could able to do

similar. This rule is essential to avoid wrong perception from the public and to show our

sincerity to contribute to the community while taking care of our business prospects.

Engineers shall not injure other engineer both from words and any kind of unethical methods

too. Should they want to compete, they compete with their skill and expertise to strive for

valued engineering design and front end engineering design. With such healthy competition,

both will further improve their own competence, benefiting themselves and the nation.

2. Continuing Professional Development

Competence is important for advancement of oneself and for the industry as a whole.

Though one’s practises to-date provide safe and reliable works, technology are becoming

more modern compared 20 to 30 years ago. Engineers, in old days, strive for safe, reliable

works and meet schedule. For nowadays, in addition to safe, reliable and within schedule,

the clients, industry players and public are also demanding for valued engineering design,

front end engineering design (FEED), Green buildings and etc.

In other words, the industry is becoming more demanding. We need to cope with latest

development of technology, new knowledge and open to its application. By continuing study

and develop our competence, only can we keep our pace to provide excellent services to

clients and public from all aspect such as safety, reliability, valued for money works,

contemporary design and not jeopardizing the environment.

By continuing professional development, we enhance our competence and compete

confidently to secure jobs and maintain business prospects. By becoming more competent,

we could achieve professionalism and do not need unethical approaches.

3. Informer or Enforcer such as Board of Engineers, Malaysia

There are sometimes some “bad apples”. Therefore, there must be an enforcement system

in place. “Bad apples” are like small moles, but catch most attention and could be a crisis

once appear and not be removed. In Malaysia, Board of Engineers (BEM) is the regulatory

body to register and deregister engineers. There are also mechanism and reasons,

stipulated inside Registration of Engineers Act 1967 (Act 138) (REA), how an unethical

offences that can lead to suspension or cancellation of registration of an engineer.

However, BEM does not able to play her roles and responsibilities unless there are whistle

blowers and the similar mechanism within Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM). By

adhering to IEM rules and regulations, we could abide by most of the regulations by BEM and

REA which both are reference for engineers to maintain professionalism.

4. Guidance or Mentor system

Young engineers are drivers of the industry and profession in future. It is relatively easy for

them to acquire academic qualification and technical expertise under supervision of a

registered professional engineer. However, both academic and technical skills are not total

for professionalism. Professionalism shall include ethical behaviour too.

Hence, it is of paramount important that supervisor to monitor and guide their trainee the

ethical practices when handling project and bear in mind his obligation to his clients and

duties to public and environment at large.

CONCLUSION :

Regurgitating IEM regulations on professional conduct is basic qualifying requirement to

attain professionalism. In addition to that, members shall have strong agreement to the

rules and regulation, feel proud and honour to follow the rules. It is because their pledges to

follow the rules are to maintain the sustainability of the profession and make the career to

continue to be rewarding and respectable ones. Therefore it is based on each of individual

characteristic to make the professionalism in engineer society profession.