Institution of Engineers of Ireland
Encyclopedia
The Institution of Engineers of Ireland or the IEI, is the second oldest engineering society
on the Islands of Great Britain
and Ireland
, and was established in 1835, the institution primarily represents members based in Ireland.
Membership of the institution is open to individuals based on academic and professional
background and is separated into grades in accordance with criteria, including the Chartered Engineer and European Engineer
titles.
The institution accepted its current legal name in 1969 by an Act of the Oireachtas. In October 2005 the institution adopted the operating name Engineers Ireland in an attempt to reduce any confusion over what the abbreviation IEI means, and as a substitute for its current legal name which is often considered unwieldy; the legal name is, however, unchanged.
The history of the institution can be traced to August 6, 1835 when civil engineer
s met in Dublin; the result was the Civil Engineers Society of Ireland, in 1844 the society adopted the name the Institution of Civil Engineers of Ireland (ICEI). The institution received a Royal Charter
on October 15, 1877, this being a significant milestone in obtaining international recognition and standing. In the early years of the Irish Free State
Cumann na nInnealtóirí (The Engineers Association) was set up independently, in 1928, by incorporation under the Companies Act, 1908 to "improve and advance the status and remuneration of qualified members of the engineering profession" as it was felt that the institutions charter prevented its negotiation of employment conditions and salary.
As time progressed it was realised that the institution and association might better advance engineering in Ireland by amalgamation of both into a single organisation which would represent a broader set of engineering disciplines, discussions commenced in 1965, and resulted in The Institution of Civil Engineers of Ireland (Charter Amendment) Act, 1969 leading to the redesignation of the unified institution as The Institution of Engineers of Ireland - Cumann na nInnealtóirí. Since this act the institution has represented all branches of engineering in Ireland.
In 1997 the institution set up the Irish Academy of Engineering, based at Bolton Street, Dublin Institute of Technology
.
requirements it is the designated authority for the engineering profession in Ireland
. The institution is a national member of European Federation of National Engineering Associations
(FEANI). The institution is also a signator to a number of multilateral agreements, these are principally for registered professional titles and accredited engineering programmes, for academic programmes these are:
The institution is also the signator to a number of bilateral agreements with engineering societies in the United Kingdom. These are for the dual recognition of corressponding Chartered Engineer, Associate Engineer and Engineering Technician grades of the institution.
Engineering society
An engineering society is a professional organization for engineers of various disciplines. Some are umbrella type organizations which accept many different disciplines, while others are discipline-specific. Many award professional designations, such as European Engineer, Professional Engineer,...
on the Islands of Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, and was established in 1835, the institution primarily represents members based in Ireland.
Membership of the institution is open to individuals based on academic and professional
Professional
A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
background and is separated into grades in accordance with criteria, including the Chartered Engineer and European Engineer
European Engineer
European Engineer is an international professional qualification for engineers used in over 30 European countries. The title is granted after successful application to a national member of the European Federation of National Engineering Associations which includes representation from many...
titles.
The institution accepted its current legal name in 1969 by an Act of the Oireachtas. In October 2005 the institution adopted the operating name Engineers Ireland in an attempt to reduce any confusion over what the abbreviation IEI means, and as a substitute for its current legal name which is often considered unwieldy; the legal name is, however, unchanged.
History
Civil engineer
A civil engineer is a person who practices civil engineering; the application of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating infrastructures while protecting the public and environmental health, as well as improving existing infrastructures that have been neglected.Originally, a...
s met in Dublin; the result was the Civil Engineers Society of Ireland, in 1844 the society adopted the name the Institution of Civil Engineers of Ireland (ICEI). The institution received a Royal Charter
Royal Charter
A royal charter is a formal document issued by a monarch as letters patent, granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. They were, and are still, used to establish significant organizations such as cities or universities. Charters should be distinguished from warrants and...
on October 15, 1877, this being a significant milestone in obtaining international recognition and standing. In the early years of the Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
Cumann na nInnealtóirí (The Engineers Association) was set up independently, in 1928, by incorporation under the Companies Act, 1908 to "improve and advance the status and remuneration of qualified members of the engineering profession" as it was felt that the institutions charter prevented its negotiation of employment conditions and salary.
As time progressed it was realised that the institution and association might better advance engineering in Ireland by amalgamation of both into a single organisation which would represent a broader set of engineering disciplines, discussions commenced in 1965, and resulted in The Institution of Civil Engineers of Ireland (Charter Amendment) Act, 1969 leading to the redesignation of the unified institution as The Institution of Engineers of Ireland - Cumann na nInnealtóirí. Since this act the institution has represented all branches of engineering in Ireland.
In 1997 the institution set up the Irish Academy of Engineering, based at Bolton Street, Dublin Institute of Technology
Dublin Institute of Technology
Dublin Institute of Technology was established officially in 1992 under the but had been previously set up in 1978 on an ad-hoc basis. The institution can trace its origins back to 1887 with the establishment of various technical institutions in Dublin, Ireland...
.
Mission
"The institution promotes the art and science of engineering...", in particular:- "Our members serve society through the highest standards of professional engineering. We seek to improve the quality of life for all, creating prosperity and adding value through innovation and the promotion of health, and sustainable development."
Sectors
The institution is divided into three sectors; Divisions, Regions, and Societies, which are further subdivided - their purpose is to promote engineering and share knowledge.- Divisions: Agriculture and Food; Biomedical; Chemical and Process; Civil; Electrical and Electronic; Energy and Environment; Fire and Safety; ICT; Local Government; Mechanical and Manufacturing; Structures and Construction.
- Regions: An Ríocht; Cork; Donegal; GB; Midlands; North-East; North; North-West; South-East; Thomond; West.
- Societies: Academic Society; An Roth; Geotechnical Society; Heritage Society; MEETA Society for Asset Managers; Project Management Society; Roads and Transportation Society; Water and Environmental Engineering Society; Young Engineers Society (Y.E.S).
International
In accordance with EUEuropean Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
requirements it is the designated authority for the engineering profession in Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. The institution is a national member of European Federation of National Engineering Associations
European Federation of National Engineering Associations
FEANI is a federation of national professional bodies representing engineering in European countries. Founded in 1951, it aims to promote the recognition, mobility and interests of Europe's engineering profession...
(FEANI). The institution is also a signator to a number of multilateral agreements, these are principally for registered professional titles and accredited engineering programmes, for academic programmes these are:
| Year | Agreement | Qualification | Practitioner |
| 1989 | The Washington Accord Washington Accord The Washington Accord is an international accreditation agreement for professional engineering academic degrees, between the bodies responsible for accreditation in its signatory countries... |
An accredited engineering degree Bachelor of Engineering The Bachelor of Engineering is an undergraduate academic degree awarded to a student after three to five years of studying engineering at universities in Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, Finland , Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Jordan, Korea,... |
Engineer |
| 2001 | The Sydney Accord Sydney Accord The Sydney Accord is an international mutual recognition agreement for qualifications in the fields of engineering technology.-Definition and background:... |
National Diploma National Diploma The National Diploma was a three year ab initio specialised higher education qualification in a technology discipline offered by an Institute of Technology or other HETAC designated institution in Ireland.... in Engineering |
Technologist |
| 2002 | The Dublin Accord Dublin Accord The Dublin Accord is an agreement for the international recognition of Engineering Technician qualifications. In May 2002 the national engineering organisations of the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa and Canada signed an agreement mutually recognising the qualifications which underpin the... |
National Certificate National Certificate National Certificate is the name of an educational award in a number of countries, although the actual merit of award is not always the same.-Ireland:... in Engineering |
Technician |
The institution is also the signator to a number of bilateral agreements with engineering societies in the United Kingdom. These are for the dual recognition of corressponding Chartered Engineer, Associate Engineer and Engineering Technician grades of the institution.
See also
- List of Ireland-related topics
- Education in the Republic of IrelandEducation in the Republic of IrelandThe levels of education in Ireland are primary, secondary and higher education. In recent years further education has grown immensely. Growth in the economy since the 1960s has driven much of the change in the education system. Education in Ireland is free at all levels, including college , but...
- List of Irish learned societies
- List of universities in the Republic of Ireland
- Education in the Republic of Ireland