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Institution of Engineering and Technology
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is the professional institution for engineering and technology in the United Kingdom. It was formed in Spring 2006 with the merger of the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE) and the Institution of Incorporated Engineers (IIE) and has over 150,000 members worldwide. The current president (2006-2007) is Sir Robin Saxby. The Chief Executive and Secretary is Mr Robin W McGill. Its London headquarters are in Savoy Place.
The IET is a registered charity.
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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.
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 and publishes books, journals such as Electronics Letters, magazines, and conference proceedings. Over 50,000 technical articles are available via the IET Digital Library.
The IET grants several postnomials to qualified members:
Technician Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (TMIET) is open to professional technicians who can demonstrate by their education and/or experience that they are professionally engaged in one of the many technology fields within the scope of the Institution.
Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (MIET) is open to all professional engineers and graduate professionals who are engaged in one of the many technology fields within the scope of the Institution or are established professionals with knowledge based on experience.
Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (FIET) recognises significant individual responsibility, sustained achievement and professionalism in areas relevant to the interests of the Institution.
Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (HonFIET).
See also Society of Engineers whose members had already been included in the IIE.