In
this edition of Between Us, find out about:
Ø The International Institution
Degree Database (IIDD)
Ø Engineers Canada Proud Sponsor of CEC 2005
Ø
2005 Canadian Engineers' Awards
Recipients Selected
With the launch of the From Consideration to
Integration project (FC2I), Engineers Canada and its constituent members (CMs) have
been coordinating the efforts to facilitate the settlement and integration of
international engineering graduates (IEGs).
A three-phased project, FC2I is currently moving
into its final stage, where the 17 approved recommendations from Phase II will
begin being implemented.
One of the recommendations developed in Phase II,
and where work is now beginning, is the creation of a database that will be
used by Engineers Canada's CMs to ensure consistency in the assessment of academic
credentials for IEGs.
The International Institution Degree Database, or
IIDD as it is branded, is an important initiative to improve settlement and
integration, since determining an applicant's educational experience is the
first step towards licensure. As such, the database will ensure equal and
consistent recognition of academic credentials by all jurisdictions within
Canada, and will simultaneously streamline and reduce processing time, thereby
providing additional value for both IEGs and the CMs.
Developing the database will be a significant
challenge and will rely on input from all of the CMs and Engineers Canada. At present, Engineers Canada
has a list with basic information on approximately 3,500 institutions
representing more than 140 countries. Many licensing bodies within Canada have
also developed their own independent databases of foreign engineering
institutions and programs based on their experiences with applicants. The tasks
now are to combine and expand the body of knowledge accumulated in Engineers Canada's and
the CMs' databases to create a comprehensive, common database and to develop
the protocols by which the CMs will use the database to come to consistent
admissions decisions regarding applicants' academic qualifications.
Currently, Engineers Canada has received funding from HRSDC for
the first part of the study which involves developing the criteria for the use
of the database. This phase of the project will be done in close consultation
with the CMs.
Under the proposed timeline, work on the IIDD is
expected to be completed by October 2005.
Engineers Canada was proud to be a Gold sponsor of the 21st annual Canadian
Engineering Competition (CEC), which took place this year in Calgary, Alberta.
Showcasing over 150 of the best and brightest engineering students from
across Canada, CEC promotes communication, design, presentation, and
ingenuity.
The three-day event was jam-packed with corporate, entrepreneurial and
team design competitions, editorial and explanatory competitions, and an
extemporaneous debate competition. Engineers Canada's Manager of Strategic Development John
Kizas, P.Eng. acted as a judge for the explanatory communication competition.
Communications Officer, Deborah O'Malley, and EIEAP Officer, Doris Yee,
EIT, represented Engineers Canada during the CEC career fair.
The Engineers Canada Awards Committee recently met to select the recipients of the
2005 Canadian Engineers' Awards. These awards are presented annually by Engineers Canada to
recognize outstanding Canadian engineers, engineering projects, and engineering
students.
This year's award recipients will be announced through a multi-media
presentation during the Awards Gala, held on May 14, 2005 in Regina,
Saskatchewan.
Ø April 6, Finance Committee Meeting,
Calgary
Ø April 9-10, Canadian Engineering
Qualifications Board Meeting, Ottawa