The Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE) AND ENGINEERS REGISTRATION BOARD (ERB) Joint Assessment Guidelines (i)
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page List of Acronyms... ii 1.0INTRODUCTION... 1 2.0QUALIFICATIONS OF AN ASSESSOR... 1 3.0INITIAL ASSESSMENT OF APPLICANTS... 2 3.1Academic Requirements and Work Experience...2 3.2Professional Development...2 4.0PROFESSIONAL REVIEW... 2 4.1Registered Engineer Corporate Member...2 4.2Registered Technologist...3 4.3Registered Technician...4 5.0TECHNICAL REPORT... 5 5.1Technical Content...5 5.2Depth of Knowledge...5 5.3Applicant s Involvement...5 5.4Management and Finance...5 5.5Cross Cutting Issues...5 5.6Structure of Report...6 6.0REPORT PRESENTATION... 6 6.1General Appearance...6 6.2Structure of Presentation...6 6.3Organization...6 6.4Visual Aids...7 6.5Details...7 6.6Response to Questions...7 6.7Conducting Interviews...7 6.8Attributes of an Engineer...7 7.0ESSAY WRITING... 8 7.1Selection of Essays...8 7.2Preliminary Assessment...8 7.3Essay Marking...9 Appendices (ii)
List of Acronyms B. Eng Bachelor of Engineering B.Sc Bachelors of Science CPD Continuing Professional Development CR Career Report ERB Engineers Registration Board M.Sc Masters of Science MET Membership, Education and Training MPR Member Professional Review Ph.D Doctorate of Philosophy TPPR Technician Professional Review TPR Technologist Professional Review UIPE Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers
1.0 INTRODUCTION These Guidelines are a revised version of the previous ones that have been used in assessment of applicants wishing to become Members of the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE). The Guidelines provide a common standard framework for assessment of applications for Corporate (Registered Engineer), Technologist and Technician Member. The assessment of applicants is to be carried out in three parts namely: Review of the Technical Report, Evaluation of Presentation of the Report, and Conducting an Essay Writing. The shortfalls in the previous guidelines of different Assessors forming different opinions of applicants to the detriment of the assessment process and disadvantage of the applicants have been addressed in these revised Guidelines. Revised Guidelines Assessment Reports The Guidelines compel Assessors to prepare assessment reports that bring out salient issues used in scoring the candidates. This is intended to promote transparency in the evaluation of applicants and provides a feedback mechanism to the applicants that could effect improvement. Furthermore, Assessment Forms and explanatory notes on the content of the Technical Reports submitted by applicants have been provided to guide the Assessors on how to review, identify salient issues and grade the technical reports. The assessment of applicants will jointly be carried out by UIPE and Engineers Registration Board (ERB). The successful applicants will become members of UIPE and automatically be registered by ERB. Assessment Forms and Explanatory Notes Joint Assessment 2.0 QUALIFICATIONS OF AN ASSESSOR An Assessor must have the following qualifications: a) Be a Member of the Institution and a Registered Engineer or Technologist or Technician; b) Have at least 10 years postgraduate experience; c) Have at least three years since registration; d) Be in good financial standing with the Institution and the Engineers Registration Board; e) Be in good standing professionally; and f) Be participating regularly in Continuous Professional Development (CPD). Qualifications of an Assessor 1
3.0 INITIAL ASSESSMENT OF APPLICANTS Each applicant shall submit a Career Report. The purpose of the Career Report will be to provide guidance to the Professional Reviewers on the extent of the applicant s experience and professional development. Career Report and Initial Assessment Form The initial assessment of applicants shall be based on the Career Report submitted by the applicant. The assessment will be in respect of the applicant s academic qualifications, work experience and professional development. The current position and key assignments of the applicant shall also be noted and in all cases, any extra year of work experience will be an additional credit. 3.1 Academic Requirements and Work Experience a) If an applicant has a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from a recognized University, shall qualify to be a Registered Engineer; and b) To be a Registered Engineer, a minimum of 4 years of work experience is required. c) If the applicant holds a Higher Diploma, shall qualify to be a registered Technologist; and d) To be a Registered Technologist, a minimum of 3 years of work experience is required. e) If the applicant holds an Ordinary Diploma, shall qualify to be a Registered Technician; and f) To be a Registered Technician, a minimum of 2 years of work experience is required. Registered Engineer Registered Technologist Registered Technician 3.2 Professional Development a) If the applicant has trained under formal agreement this is ideal. courses and workshops attended by the applicant will provide additional evidence of continuous professional development; b) If the applicant has over 15 years of experience consideration shall be made for a Mature Route. c) If the applicant is already a member of a corresponding recognized professional organization, may qualify for the Membership by Reciprocity. The Initial Assessment of applicants shall be presented in Form CR, shown in Appendix I. Formal Training Mature Route Reciprocity Detailed Assessment Form CR 4.0 PROFESSIONAL REVIEW 4.1 Registered Engineer Corporate Member Two Assessors of the Institution who must be registered Engineers selected from the list of assessors approved by the ERB will carry out the assessment. The Technical Report, Presentation of the Report and the Essay writing will constitute the overall assessment for the Professional Review of the applicant. Technical Report, Presentation and Essay Writing 2
The Career Report will be used by the Assessors to provide additional questions to the applicant during their interview. It will also provide a basis for the essay questions. The weighting with respect to Technical Report, Presentation and Essays will be in the ratio of 2:1:1 as shown below. a) Technical Report Score of the Technical i) Technical Content 12 Report ii) Depth of knowledge 10 iii) Applicants Involvement 12 iv) Management and Finance 6 v) Cross Cutting Issues 4 vi) Report Presentation 6 Sub Total 50 b) Presentation Score of Presentation i) General Appearance 3 ii) Structure 3 iii) Organization 5 iv) Visual Aids 3 v) Details 5 vi) Response to Questions 6 Sub Total 25 c) Essay Writing Score for i) Knowledge and 10 Relevancy ii) Clarity and Presentation 9 iii) Grammar and Syntax 6 Sub Total 25 Total 100 Essay Writing An applicant who scores above 60% overall and above 50% in each of the categories will qualify to become a Corporate Member. A score above 80% will be commended and mentioned in the Journal. The Professional Review of applicants shall be presented in Form MPR1 and MPR2, shown in Appendix II. Overall Score Detailed Assessment Form MPR 4.2 Registered Technologist The criteria of assessment for a Registered Technologist will be the same as for the Registered Engineer (Corporate Member) except that the Technical and Career report will be 2000 words each and the applicant will only write one essay. The weighting between the Technical Report, the Presentation and Essay will be 3:1:1. Technical Report to be 2000 Words 3
a) Technical Report Score of the Technical i) Technical Content 15 Report ii) Depth of knowledge 15 iii) Applicants Involvement 15 iv) Management and Finance 6 v) Cross Cutting Issues 4 vi) Report Presentation 5 Sub Total 60 b) Presentation Score of Presentation i) General Appearance 3 ii) Structure 3 iii) Organization 3 iv) Visual Aids 3 v) Details 3 vi) Response to Questions 5 Sub Total 20 c) Essay Writing Score for i) Knowledge and 8 Relevancy ii) Clarity and 7 Presentation iii) Grammar and 5 Syntax Sub Total 20 Total 100 Essay Writing An applicant who scores above 60% overall and above 50% in each of the categories will qualify to become a Technologist Member. A score above 80% will be commended and mentioned in the Journal. The Professional Review of applicants shall be presented in Form TPR1 and TPR2, shown in Appendix III. Overall Score Detailed Assessment Form TPR 4.3 Registered Technician In the case of the Registered Technician his Technical Report will be 1000 words and his Career Report will be 1000 words. The applicant will not be required to write any essay. It will be an Interview only. The weighting between the Technical Report and the Interview will be 3:1 as shown below. Technical Report to be 1000 Words a) Technical Report Score of the Technical i) Technical Content 20 Report ii) Depth of knowledge 20 iii) Applicants Involvement 20 iv) Management and Finance 6 v) Cross Cutting Issues 4 4
vi) Report Presentation 5 Sub Total 75 b) Presentation Score of Presentation i) General Appearance 4 ii) Structure 4 iii) Organization 4 iv) Visual Aids 4 v) Details 4 vi) Response to Questions 5 Sub Total 25 Total 100 The Professional Review of applicants shall be presented in Form TCPR1 and TCPR2, shown in Appendix IV. Detailed Assessment Form TCPR 5.0 TECHNICAL REPORT 5.1 Technical Content The candidate will be required to show the use of engineering principles in the solving of a particular problem, whether is design, research or management. Special credit will be given to a candidate who has shown innovativeness in carrying out the work. Technical Content 5.2 Depth of Knowledge The candidate will be required to show a depth of knowledge in the particular field. In other words, has the candidate done research on the best practice in the area of application? Has the candidate demonstrated his knowledge of different methodologies and thereby justified his choice of a particular methodology. Credit will be given to the depth of methodology analysis and knowledge of detail. Depth of Knowledge 5.3 Applicant s Involvement The candidate should clearly demonstrate his level of involvement in the tasks recorded. They should clearly outline what tasks they performed and under whose supervision, whether it is design, research or management. In particular reference should be made to drawings. Applicant s Involvement 5.4 Management and Finance The candidate should demonstrate his knowledge of the management and financial aspects of the project. They should explain any decisions they made and their impact on project management. Initiative and Innovative approaches to problem solving should be given credit. Management and Finance 5
5.5 Cross Cutting Issues The candidate should demonstrate knowledge of the health, safety, social, environmental and cultural aspects in their report, from the feasibility up design to implementation stage. He should demonstrate how each of these aspects were addressed at different stages. Sustainability of the investment should be addressed. Cross Cutting Issues 5.6 Structure of Report The report should be well organized, structured and easy to follow. It should be written in good and clear English and should be referenced where necessary. It will be loosely bound and word processed. Title: The report must have a Title Introduction: What is the technical report about? Aim: How does the report demonstrate ordered and critical exposition of some aspect or aspects of civil engineering practice in which you have been involved or played a major role? Background: Setting the scene i.e. where does the project lie in relation to the total picture? Technical Content/Description: Draws out the fundamentals underlying the subject(s). The technical report must not simply demonstrate the application of codes and standards but must illustrate your understanding and application of engineering principles. Appropriate mathematical analysis should be included and discussed appropriately to illustrate your understanding of the analytical methods. Diagrams or drawings should preferably be close to the relevant text otherwise they should be adequately referenced in this section and attached as annexes/appendices. Conclusions: In relation to the application of engineering principles, what were the successes and failures? Lessons learnt: What are they? Appendices: For supporting detail, if appropriate. Bibliography: If appropriate. Structure of Report Title Introduction Aim Background Technical Content Conclusions Lessons Learnt Bibliography 6.0 REPORT PRESENTATION 6.1 General Appearance The candidate is expected to dress in a formal manner for the interview. 6.2 Structure of Presentation The structure of the presentation should follow a logical sequence, beginning with an overview and followed by details of the activities. General Appearance Structure of Presentation 6
6.3 Organization The organization of the presentation should consist of headings, subheadings appropriately. It should identify the problem, show steps in solving a problem, show the appropriate considerations and explain challenges met and appropriate action taken. Organization 6.4 Visual Aids The candidate is expected to show drawings, photographs of the work done. Visual Aids 6.5 Details The level of detail should be noted especially in the designs. Good details are required in designs and implementation plans. Management plans also require sufficient detail. Details 6.6 Response to Questions The candidate should be able to provide precise and clear answers to questions. He should demonstrate confidence and good knowledge of the subject. Response to Questions 6.7 Conducting Interviews At the start of the interview, one Reviewer should meet the applicant in the waiting area. Reviewers are reminded that the applicant is invariably under stress at the start of an interview and should be put at ease by the Reviewers before the formal interview commences. After an introduction, the applicant must commence with a 15 minute presentation. Reviewers are reminded that during this presentation they should not interrupt the applicant, nor make any comment unless the candidate has "dried up". On completion of the presentation, the candidate should be questioned on the subject of the presentation. Thereafter Reviewers can move onto general questions, which should cover the candidate's experience and various aspects of the items mentioned in the Training Objectives. Reviewers must pose at lease one searching question on Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to satisfy themselves that the candidate has undertaken and benefited from CPD. Reviewers must also ensure that the candidate is fully aware of cross cutting issues (Environment, Gender, HIV/AIDS, OSH, People with Disabilities and Elderly Persons) as these apply to engineering. Reviewers may extend the duration of the interview, or in the case of a number of applicants being interviewed, ask an applicant to return at the end of the session if they feel that this is necessary. Start of Interview 15 Minute Presentation Questions on Experience Questions on CPD Questions on Cross Cutting Issues Duration of Interviews 7
6.8 Attributes of an Engineer Each prospective candidate for election to council or inclusion in the engineers register must demonstrate the following attributes: Attributes of an Engineer a) An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering; b) An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as analyze and interpret data; c) An ability to design a system, component or process to meet desired needs; d) An ability to function on multi disciplinary teams; e) An ability to identify, formulate and sole engineering problems; f) An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility; g) An ability to communicate effectively; h) The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context; i) A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, life long learning; j) A knowledge of contemporary issues; k) An ability to understand the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice; l) An ability to apply knowledge in a specialized area related to engineering; m) An understanding of the elements of project management, construction and asset management; n) An understanding of business and public policy and administration fundamentals; o) An understanding of the role of the leader and leadership principles; and p) Knowledge and skill, while necessary, are not sufficient to be a fully functioning professional engineer. An engineer s attitude, that is, the manner in which he/she approaches his/her work, will determine how effectively he/she uses hard earned knowledge and skills. 7.0 ESSAY WRITING 7.1 Selection of Essays After the interview has been concluded, the writing of the essays can commence. Reviewers should use their discretion regarding breaks and the start time for the writing of the essays. Each Reviewer will select two essays. The candidate shall write two essays (one from each reviewer) in the case of a Corporate Member. For the case of Technologist, each Reviewer will select one essay and the candidate shall write only one of the two essays. The subjects of the essays must be given at the start of the session and the applicant issued with booklets in which to write. Once the session has commenced the applicant should not be permitted to leave the room. Selection of Essays Commenceme nt of Essay Writing 8
7.2 Preliminary Assessment After the interview, the Reviewers should decide in which of the following categories they consider the candidate should be placed by their performance thus far. They must discuss and draft any appropriate comments for the Reviewer's Assessment Report and the Reviewer's Summary Report. In order for the applicant to pass, he must pass each category of the professional review separately. If he has passed the first two sections, then he only has to pass the essays. If he has failed in the first two sections and does exceptionally well in the essays, he may be required to write a Technical Report and make a Presentation only at the next opportunity. If however, his essays are only satisfactory, he will have to redo the whole professional review. Preliminary Pass Preliminary Failure Both Reviewers must agree that the candidate has been successful. Any reasonable doubt by either Reviewer must result in a candidate being "failed". 7.3 Essay Marking Each Reviewer must mark the essay question they have set, using the method of grading essays as given below: Marking Scheme All Reviewers are urged to make written comments upon the essays. These comments should be made in the essay booklets. This is particularly relevant where the Reviewers are rating the outcome of the essays as "unsatisfactory". Candidates will not be advised of details of the grades awarded, but will be informed that their essays are satisfactory or unsatisfactory. a) Knowledge of Subject and Relevancy of Answers to the Topic i) Does the candidate exhibit a reasonable (depth and breadth of) knowledge of the topic, bearing in mind their experience as demonstrated by the submitted documents and the interviews? ii) Has the candidate augmented his/her experience by sufficient reading on the subjects? iii) Has the candidate understood the subjects? iv) Do the essays cover the whole subject set, or only parts of them? v) Do the essays keep to the point or do they tend to wander from it? vi) Has the candidate refrained from "padding" the essays with irrelevant or repetitive material? vii) Are the essays of reasonable and acceptable length taking into account their content? b) Grammar and Syntax i) Does every sentence contain a finite verb and are the tenses correct? ii) Is there agreement between nouns and verbs with regard to singular and plural cases? iii) Is the spelling and punctuation reasonably correct? Knowledge and Relevancy Grammar and Syntax 9
iv) Has the candidate avoided jargon and the use of catch phrases, acronyms or apparently meaningless abbreviations? (Acronyms and abbreviations when first used should be accompanied by a full spelling)? v) Are most sentences easy to understand? vi) Are the sentences constructed correctly? c) Clarity of Argument and Presentation i) Does the candidate have a good vocabulary and is the phraseology sufficiently mature for a person of their age? ii) Are the ideas expressed in a logical manner? iii) Is it easy to grasp the candidate arguments? iv) Do the essays have a discernible framework or pattern? v) Are paragraph divisions sensibly chosen? vi) Is the presentation reasonably tidy, is the handwriting legible and are the essays a pleasure to read? A pass mark of 60% will be required in each of the above categories and as indicated in the marking scheme. 80% will be commended When a candidate passes the Professional Review, he/she becomes a Corporate Member of the Institution and will be exempted from submitting a Technical Report and attending a Board Interview when applying for registration with the ERB. Clarity and Presentation Pass Mark Exemption from Writing a Technical Report for ERB 10
APPENDIX I: FORM CR Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers Initial Assessment Form Career Report Name of Applicant: 1. Academic Qualifications a) Ordinary Diploma b) Higher Diploma c) B.Sc./B. Eng d) MSc / M. Eng e) PhD 2. Work Experience a) Current Position b) Number of Years c) Key assignments 3. Professional Development a) Formal Pupilage b) Workshop Seminars c) Other Courses 4. Membership of other Professional Bodies 5. Overall Assessment Qualifies for: a) Member Professional Review b) Technologist Professional Review c) Technician Professional Review d) Reciprocity e) Mature Age Scheme f) Other Approved / Not Approved: Chairperson MET
Date:
APPENDIX II: FORM MPR 1 Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers Corporate Member Professional Review Assessment of Technical Report Name of Applicant: Criteria Max Points Score Criteria A: Technical Content (12 Points) D: Management and Finance (06 Points) 1. Application of Engineering Principles 3.0 1. Managerial ability 2.0 Max Points Score 2. Scientific Approach 3.0 2. Key decisions taken 1.5 3. Analytical Methods/Tools 2.5 3. Project Costing 1.5 4. Design Concepts 2.0 4. Financial Management 1.0 5. Drawings / Developed Tools 1.5 Sub Total 6.0 Sub Total 12.0 B: Depth of Knowledge (10 Points) E: Cross Cutting Issues (04 Points) 1. Research on Best Practice 2.0 1. Occupational Safety and Health 1.0 2. Demonstration of different applications 2.0 2. Environmental Aspects 1.0 3. Justification of methodology 2.0 3. Gender 1.0 4. Analysis and detailed discussion 4.0 4. HIV/AIDS, PWD, EP, etc 1.0 Sub Total 10.0 Sub Total 4.0 C: Involvement of Applicant (12 Points) 1. Applicant's Concept Originality 2.5 F: Report Presentation (06 Points) 2. Involvement at various stages 1. Preliminaries 1.5 a) Feasibility and Design stage 1.5 2. Contents (Structure of Report) 3.0 b) Implementation stage 3.0 3. Illustrations 1.5 c) Monitoring and Evaluation stage 1.0 Sub Total 6.0 d) Review stage 1.0 3. Position held (Choose only one) a) Senior staff level 3.0 b) Middle staff level 2.5 c) Junior staff level 2.0 Sub Total 12.0 TOTAL 50 NB: The Pass Mark shall be a minimum of 60% (i.e. 30 Points) Reviewer to attach a separate Written Brief Report Name of Reviewer: Signature: Date: For Official Use Only: Membership, Education and Training Committee (MET) Approved Not Approved Minute No.: Signature of Chairperson MET: Date:
APPENDIX II: FORM MPR 2 Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers Corporate Member Professional Review Assessment Form Name of Applicant: Criteria Max Score Score A: Technical Report (Refer to Form MPR1) 1. Technical Content 12 2. Depth of Knowledge 10 3. Applicant s Involvement 12 Remarks 4. Management and Finance 6 5. Cross Cutting Issues 4 6. Report Presentation 6 Sub Total 50 B: Presentation 1. General Appearance 3 2. Structure of Presentation 3 3. Organization 5 4. Visual Aids 3 5. Details 5 6. Response to Questions 6 Sub Total 25 C: Essays 1. Knowledge and Relevance 10 2. Clarity and Presentation 9 3. Grammar and Syntax 6 Sub Total 25 Total 100 NB: The Pass Mark shall be a minimum of 60% overall and 50% under each of the categories A, B, and C A score above 80% will be commended and mentioned in the UIPE Journal Name of Reviewer 1: Signature: Date: Name of Reviewer 2: Signature: Date: For Official Use Only: Membership, Education and Training Committee (MET) Approved / Not Approved Membership No. Class of Membership: Signature of Chairperson MET: Minute No. Date: