PI Guidelines For Applicant Candidate-Final

THE INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, MALAYSIA
Bangunan Ingenieur, Lots 60 & 62, Jalan 52/4, P.O. Box 223, Jalan Sultan, 46720 Petaling Jaya
Tel: 03-79684001/4002 Fax: 03-79577678 E-mail: sec@iem.org.my
PI Guidelines/ Version AC00
IEM
Professional Interview Guidelines 2018
for Applicants and Candidates
PI Guidelines 2018/ Version AC00
Table of Contents
I. The Professional Interview

1. Definition
2. General Regulation
3. Condition of Submitted Documents
II. Preparation of Documents

1. Professional Interview Application Form
2. Training and Experience Report (Portfolio of Evidence)
Annexes: Design and Site Experience
3. Technical Report
III. The Interview

1. Introduction
2. Conflict of Interest
3. Format of Interview
4. Oral Examination
Presentation
Question & Answer
Opportunity for Final Evidence
5. Written Examination
Section A
Section B
6. Preparation for Interview
7. Post Interview
8. Appeal
IV. Glossary
V. Appendices
1. Competence Standard for the Professional Interview (IEM PI 0100)
2. Professional Interview Application Form (IEM PI A100)
3. Training and Experience Report (IEM PI A401)
4. Development Action Plan (IEM PI C300)
5. Appeal Form (IEM C400)
Page 1 of 21
THE PROFESSIONAL INTERVIEW
1. Definition
The Professional Interview is a peer review process comprising an assessment on the
professional competency of the candidate by Corporate Members of IEM. The IEM
Competency Standard used in the professional Interview is closely referenced to the UK
Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK—SPEC), specifically on the
Competence and Commitment Standard for Chartered Engineers.
This IEM Competency Standard (Refer to IEM PI 0100 on the Competence Model for
Professional Interview) consists of eighteen (18) Competency Elements that are grouped under
five (5) broad Competency Categories:
A. Knowledge and understanding
B. Design and development of processes, systems, services and products
C. Responsibility, management or leadership
D. Communication and inter-personal skills
E. Professional commitment
The five generic areas of competence and commitment must be demonstrated in order to
practice professionally. The Competency Elements are used as the basis for assessment in the
Professional Interview by the IEM. Applicants will be required to provide evidence of
competence against each of the eighteen (18) Competency Elements. The evidence is to be
drawn from their work experience, specifically as they have encountered engineering
problems or engaged in engineering activities.
A glossary of terms is included in the Guidelines.
Interpretation
Unless the context requires otherwise:
a) words in the singular include the plural and vice versa;
b) words importing the masculine gender include the feminine gender.
2. General Regulation
2.1 The Professional Interview shall be held throughout the year in Malaysia in IEM Secretariat or
any of its twelve (12) Branches.
2.2 Before a person is eligible to apply to sit for Professional Interview, he must have gained at
least three (3) years of approved experience after graduation with an accredited engineering
degree.
Page 2 of 21
2.3 The experience should be in planning, design, execution and management of such works as
are comprised within the profession of an engineer, or relevant experience under the IEM Log
Book Training Scheme.
2.4 The Professional Interview Process consists of two stages:
Stage 1: Submission of Professional Interview Application Documents for documentary review
of competency evidence to assess Applicant’s eligibility and readiness for the Professional
Interview
Stage 2: In-person assessment of Candidate that consists of a face-to-face oral examination as
well as writing of two essays
2.5 An Applicant for Professional Interview must submit one copy of Professional Interview
Application Form together with the following:
IEM Corporate Membership Application Form;
Two (2) sets of Training and Experience Report (Portfolio of Evidence);
Two (2) sets of Technical Report; and
Professional Interview fees
Processing Fee (stage 1); and
Interview Fee (stage 2).
2.6 During Stage 1 of the process, if any of the competency evidences or Technical Report is
assessed to be inadequate, the Applicant will be asked to resubmit supplementary documents.
IEM Secretariat will inform him of the areas of shortcomings.
2.7 The Applicant will have to resubmit the supplementary documents within two (2) months
upon receiving the notification letter. If documentary review of the competency evidence or
Technical Report is deemed inadequate after two (2) times of resubmission, the Applicant
would not be eligible to proceed to Stage 2. The documentation submitted by the Applicant
will be returned and Stage 2 fees be refunded.
2.8 Upon satisfactory documentary review of the competency evidence and Technical Report, the
Applicant will be informed in writing on his eligibility to attend the Professional Interview as PI
Candidate. The name of the two Professional Interviewers shall then be communicated to the
Candidate.
The IEM Secretariat shall notify the Candidate of the date, time and place of the Professional
Interview.
3. Condition of Submitted Documents
3.1 Application Documents have to be submitted in the following conditions:
The form should be word-processed and submitted electronically using a minimum front
size of 9
Alternatively, the form should be type-written using black ink
Do not bind or glue sheets together as your application will be scanned.
Page 3 of 21
PREPARATION OF DOCUMENTS
1. Professional Interview Application Form

This section shall guide the Applicant on how the form should be presented.
1.1. Part A: Personal Details
Provide your personal details including your contact address
Choose your preferred venue for Interview
Choose the preferred language for the Professional Interview in either English or Bahasa
Malaysia. Upon making the choice, the entire Professional Interview shall be conducted in
your selected language, including the various forms, technical report, oral interview and
the written essays.
1.2. Part B: Current Employment
Complete details of your current employment
1.3. Part C: Your Expertise
Tick the main sector and sub-sector most relevant to you and your area of expertise. For
“Others”, please specify them accurately.
Specify the engineering discipline as registered with “Board of Engineers Malaysia” [BEM]
and attach a certified copy of BEM Registration Certificate as evidence.
1.4. Part D: Tertiary Education
List the details of all your academic qualifications awarded
Give details of any formally assessed work-based learning acquired
Attach a copy of your documents, certified by one of your Supporters as a true copy of the
original.
1.5. Part E: Professional Development or Training Schemes
Give details of any formal or structured training or professional development programs
you have completed.
Specify the competencies gained (refer to the eighteen competency elements), and quote
the scheme reference numbers and the names of accrediting institutes, if applicable.
1.6. Part F: Professional Services, Papers Presented, etc.
List the reports, papers and patent published in your names
If you work in a research or academic environment, summarise your published paper on
no more than one A4 sheet
List the services you have engaged with IEM or your community which raise the profile of
engineering.
1.7. Part G: Organisation Chart/Accountability Diagram
Provide an up-to-date organisation chart/accountability diagram with the following details:
Two or three levels of authorities above and below your post
Page 4 of 21
Your post (indicated with an arrow)
Identify any Corporate Member of IEM or equivalent, quoting his membership grade
and registration number
If you have changed your job within the last three years, include the same for your
previous posting on a separate A4-size sheet, together with the relevant date(s)
If your organisation operates a flat-based structure, please illustrate.
Do not use any pictures, colour or shading as these make the diagram illegible when
photocopied.
1.8. Part H: Relevant Career History
Provide details of your work experience in chronological order starting from your first
postings upon graduation from your institute of higher learning. For each of your posting,
indicate the followings:
Duration of posting and job title
Name and address of employer
Your main responsibilities, tasks and achievements
For each posting, give evidence on what you have done rather than what the job requires
you to do, focusing on answering to the eighteen (18) competency elements. You may
give an extended description of your role, or the role that is most relevant to demonstrate
your competence, giving details of your responsibilities and contributions.
1.9. Part I: Declaration
Initial each and every page of your application form. Sign and date the application,
confirming that the statements given are true to the best of your knowledge.
Declare that you do not plagiarise your application. Understand that plagiarising will
render the application null and void, and you may be barred from professional interview.
Make sure you only sign the declaration after all your supporters have signed.
1.10. Part J: Supporters’ Details
IEM requires your application to be supported. Supporters will be required to confirm
your suitability for Corporate Membership.
Your chosen Supporters should know you well and be convinced, through direct or
personal experience, that you are suitable to be elected or transferred to the grade of
MIEM. The Supporters typically have detailed and up-to-date knowledge of your work so
that all the information in the application can be verified.
Your chosen Supporters may be a selection of the followings:
Profession Engineer registered with Board of Engineers Malaysia
Corporate Member of IEM
Engineer registered with Engineering Council (UK), or equivalent.
Applicant’s Mentor under IEM Log Book Training Scheme
Page 5 of 21
At least one of the Supporters must be of the same engineering discipline; and from the
same organisation as that of the Applicant.
The Supporters should be working at a senior level to the Applicant, preferably for at least
two years, and with direct knowledge of the Applicant’s work, role and responsibilities. In
the event that the above is not available, the current line manager, or employer in higher
organizational hierarchy, may act as Supporter, provided he is a Corporate Member of IEM
or equivalent.
The third supporter is optional, and may be necessary, for example, if you work on
contracts for an extended period, as he can verify your works during that period of your
employment.
It is important to choose a lead Supporter, who can assist you in the process of PI
application, including the advice of filling up the Application Form, presenting Portfolio of
Evidence in the Training & Experience Report, drafting the Technical Report, preparing for
the actual face-to-face oral examination
2. Training and Experience Report (Portfolio of Evidence)

2.1. This section shall guide Applicant on how to prepare the Training and Experience Report in the
form of Portfolio of Evidence [refer to Form IEM PI A401], which the Applicant is required to
submit two copies together with Professional Interview Application Form.
2.2. The Applicant is required to provide evidence for each of the five (5) Competency Categories A,
B, C, D and E (Refer to IEM PI 0100), covering the eighteen (18) competency elements, which
are used as a basis for assessing the Applicant when he applies to sit for the Interview. The
evidence written for each competency category should typically be around 500 words,
excluding appendices and attachments.
2.3. The Applicant has to cross-reference with “Part H: Relevant Career History of Professional
Interview Form” when preparing the Training and Experience Report. Typically, he has to
transcribe the evidence from his career history to all the relevant competency categories. In
doing so, he has to provide an extended description of his role, responsibilities and
achievements relevant to the competency category to which a piece of evidence is transcribed.
The Applicant has to indicate the tasks encountered in the course of his work experience,
describing the related engineering activities, problems encountered and their resolutions. This
will form the portfolio of evidence for the competence gained under each competency
category.
2.4. The evidence should be given in a clear and concise manner detailing only the essential facts
as proof of competencies. The Applicant may attach relevant documentation to support the
evidence of competency, initialling/signing on each page of the attached documentation. The
supporting documentation should also be clearly referenced. The evidence of competencies
shall be assessed by MAB for his eligibility or readiness to sit for the Professional Interview.
2.5. Applicant should take note that the right-hand column denotes the revision reference and its
date of re-submission of the evidence; hence the column should be left blank in the first
submission.
Page 6 of 21
When any evidence for any of the categories is found to be inadequate, Applicant will be
asked to re-submit the evidence. The revision reference and its date of submission will then
be logged in the right-hand column.
2.6. Applicant should get the Supporter to endorse the evidence and initial/sign on every page of
the form, including the supporting documentation.
Annexes: Design and Site Experience
Applicant is expected to have sufficient design and site experience typically expected of a
competent engineer. The design and site experiences are typically required for a person to
register with the Board of Engineers as a Professional Engineer.
The length of design and site experience differs from one engineering branch / discipline to
another. This applies to the sub-branches of each major engineering branch. The following
table gives the summary.
Engineering Branch Design Experience Site Experience

and Related Sub Branches (Month) (Month)
Civil Engineering 12 12
Mechanical Engineering 6 12
Electrical Engineering 12 6
Electronic Engineering 6 12
Chemical Engineering 6 6
Other Branches of Engineering 6 6
Applicant is specifically required to give evidence of the design and site experience by filling
up the Annexe A (Design Experience) and Annexe B (Site Experience). The cumulative total
period must satisfy the minimum period specified in the above table.
3. Technical Report
3.1. This section is intended for the Applicant to prepare for Technical Report in support of his
application to sit for Professional Interview.
3.2. The Applicant is required to submit two (2) copies of Technical Report together with the
Professional Application Form.
3.3. The Technical Report shall demonstrate that the Applicant has attained the engineering
knowledge, understanding, and application in his engineering discipline, or sub-discipline at
the level necessary to underpin the technical competences required to become a Corporate
Member of IEM.
Page 7 of 21
3.4. Although there is no fixed format for Technical/Project Report, it is strongly recommended
that the Applicant shall ensure that the Report contains some essential parts which are
inclusive of, but not limited to the following:
A list of contents, including the appendices.
A brief executive summary as a preamble.
A column on the right of each and every page of the Report for the Supporter or
Supervising Engineer to certify.
A checklist at the end of the Report for the Applicant to check, sign and confirm all
documentations submitted in the report by him
3.5. The content of the Report must be technical in nature. A pure management study is not
acceptable. The scope of the Technical/Project Report shall depend upon the academic/
professional qualifications and practical training, experience and achievement.
3.6. Applicant can prepare the Technical/Project Report basing on the work(s) or project(s) from
the Applicant’s portfolio of evidence or career history that best demonstrates Competency
Categories A and B. This should typically represent the engineering project or work area where
the Applicant has gained substantive technical expertise.
3.7. The Technical Report should typically have 4,000 to 6,000 words, excluding appendices and
attachments. It should describe particular project(s) or work(s) (or part thereof) in which the
Applicant played a major role, including taking the lead in some or all of the elements.
Applicant must indicate clearly his role in the development and management of the project(s)
or work(s) by giving the background to the important decisions for which he was responsible
or to which he made a significant contribution. Above all, Applicant must show where he has
exercised independent engineering and professional judgment.
3.8. Numerical analyses, cost data drawings or other relevant additional documentation should be
included as appropriate to support solutions/decisions described in the Report. Any
appendices or attachments are not included in the word-count, but they should be bound into
the Report
3.9. While the Report may include or be largely based upon technical reports or design studies or
research works written as part of the Applicant’s normal employment, it must include a
commentary identifying the contribution the reported work has made to the Applicant’s
technical formation and highlighting where and how engineering principles have been applied
to solve problems.
3.10. It is essential that the drawings and document submitted shall be the work of the Applicant in
the ordinary course of his permanent/contractual (long term) employment. If only a portion of
the Documents has been prepared by the Applicant, this must be clearly indicated and
certified.
3.11. The Technical Report should be comprehensive, clear and concise; enough to give sufficient
evidence of the Applicant’s personal technical contribution to the engineering work(s) or
project(s). Applicant should initial/sign on every page of the Report.
Page 8 of 21
3.12. The Technical Report should be submitted with supporting sheets, calculations tables, charts,
diagrams and/or drawings duly certified. It may include one or more of the following:
Design work
Feasibility study
Research and development work
Operations and maintenance work
Other engineering work
Design Work
Report on design work shall include the following:
a. At least two (2), but not more than four (4) working drawings (to appropriate readable
scale that is accepted as the norm in the Applicant’s engineering discipline or sub-
discipline); and
b. Detailed design/engineering analysis and calculations relating to one or more of the
Applicant’s own submitted drawings. Computer-aided analysis and design output shall be
accompanied by “manual calculations” that forms part of the verification process. For
novel design (including front end engineering design), this can be interpreted as field
application leading to validation of work; and
c. Specifications to which Applicant has contributed or executed in the course of design or
field work; and
Feasibility Study
Report on feasibility study shall include the following:
a. At least one (1) relevant drawing that conveys essential features and details of an
engineering system;
b. At least three (3) sketches that contain sufficient details to enable a draughts person to
work them up into concept, tender/bid drawings without further guidance;
c. Applicable stress, system or other pertinent analysis;
d. Specifications to which Applicant has contributed for subsequent design and field
execution.
e. Applicant may include one or more of the following items as part of the study:
Functional and economic comparison of preliminary designs of the engineering system;
A comprehensive report of a major engineering project;
A system design of a major engineering work.
Research and Development Work
a. Description of the research and development work detailing the planning, execution
(methodology) and deliverables of the work that clearly demonstrate sound application of
engineering principles.
b. Details of progressive pilot or prototyping work from computer and/or laboratory models
shall also be submitted.
Page 9 of 21
c. The work actually carried out by the Candidate, appended with any engineering document
including drawings produced by him.
d. A critical appraisal of the design on any research experiments or systems which may not
be the work of the Candidate may be included.
e. The Report, if extracted from the candidate’s PhD or Master’s Thesis, has to contain
significant practical industrial application.
Operation and Maintenance Work
a. A detailed description of the operations of the plant or system together with the
maintenance schedule, which the Candidate has formulated or designed.
b. In his submission, he should clearly indicate his contribution which would demonstrate a
sound understanding of the engineering principles and their application.
c. A critical appraisal of the design of the engineering system which may not be the work of
the Candidate should be included.
d. Details of modifications made to the existing system which are the work of the Candidate
should also be submitted.
III The Interview
1. Introduction
1.1 The Professional Interview will consist of two parts, namely:
i. The Oral Examination
ii. The Written Examination
1.2 The Candidate must complete the two parts in order to satisfy the Professional Interview’s
requirements.
1.3 Professional Interview will be conducted by two (2) experienced IEM Corporate Members,
who are trained for this purpose.
1.4 IEM Secretariat will normally help in arranging for the Interview by coordinating with both the
Interviewers and the Candidate regarding the date, time and venue.
1.5 Once the date of Interview has been agreed and fixed, the Candidate shall have to abide by it.
1.6 Candidate may request for postponement of the Interview, if he can provide valid reasons
that are acceptable to the Interviewers. However, postponement can only be considered if it
is within less than two (2) months from the original date of Interview, otherwise it shall render
the interview null and void; and the Candidate shall have to make a fresh application.
2. Conflict of Interest
2.1 Candidate should not be interviewed by any of the following:
Supporter for the application
A person who has verified Candidate’s application form
A person employed in the same or related organisation as the Candidate
Page 10 of 21
A person who has close family relationship with the Candidate
A person who is a close friend of the Candidate
Any person who may have a conflict of interest, either for or against the Candidate
2.2 It is the Candidate’s ethical duty to request for a change of Interviewers before the Interview,
if one or more of the above-mentioned conditions exit.
3. Oral Examination
3.1 The Oral Examination will normally be allocated about one hour and thirty minutes for each
Candidate.
3.2 Candidate should arrive at the venue for Interview at least 15 minutes before the start of the
Interview to allow time to settle down and get ready.
3.3 While there is a need to be flexible in the Interview, the format is typically arranged as follows:
Introduction
15-Minute Presentation by Candidate
About 60 Minutes of “Questions & Answers” Session
Conclusion
3.4 The Interview will be conducted in the selected language, either in English or Bahasa Malaysia.
3.5 Candidate will be asked to show some forms of photo-identification at the Interview. This is to
ensure the right Candidate is interviewed.
Presentation
The presentation will be allocated 15 minutes. You are expected to not exceed the allocated
time.
The content of the presentation should be based on a piece of work or project from your
Training & Experience Report (Portfolio of Evidence Form) that best demonstrates
Competency Categories A and B. This should be concise, enough to give key points of your
personal technical contribution to the work or project presented.
The presentation format is your choice. This may involve one or more of the following:
A computer-based presentation such as PowerPoint presentation (Typically 5 slides)
A paper based presentation
A verbal presentation without any other aids.
It is important that you discuss with the PI Secretariat to help arrange the use of visual aids.
IEM may not be able to guarantee facilities to support all audio, visual or IT requirements.
You are required to bring three paper copies of their presentation materials (maximum A3
size) to the interview, one of which will be retained by IEM and the other two will be passed
to the Interviewers. Please ensure that animation created by the computer-based
presentation will not hinder eligibility when the hard copies are printed out.
Question & Answer
Page 11 of 21
Interviewers will generally use the career history of your application form as an agenda for
the interview. They will encourage you to talk about your experience in chronological order
to draw out evidence of competence during the discussion.
You should be prepared to explain the technical content of your work as the Interviewers
will probe specific competence areas.
You should also be prepared to expand other aspects of your work including leadership &
management, communication & interpersonal skills, professional commitment, etc.
Matters related to commercial sensitivity or governed by the Official Secrets Act are unlikely
to be an essential part of the interview. You will not be expected to divulge them.
Interviewers will normally cover the full range of competencies by the end of the Oral
Interview. They will ask questions in a clear and concise manner. You will have to make sure
that you understand the questions first before attempting to give your answer.
You should bring a copy of your Development Action Plan (DAP) to be presented on a
separate form (Refer to IEM PI C300) towards the end of the Oral Interview. This plan is a
demonstration of your commitment to maintaining professional competence, often referred
to as Continuing Professional Development (CPD). This does not have to be linked to an
organization. It can be self-managed. This is a plan for future with the short-term and long-
term goals, and how you are going to achieve them.

At the end of the Oral Examination, Candidate will be given the opportunity to:
Raise any points which he feels have not been covered during the discussion
Give any evidence which he feels may help the assessment of his case
Ask any questions you may have
End of Oral Interview

Candidate will NOT be allowed to change the engineering discipline on which it has been
interviewed, to the one thought to be more appropriate.
Similarly, the Interviewers are NOT allowed to do likewise.
4. Written Examination
4.1 At the end of the Oral Examination, Candidate will be asked to proceed to the second part of
the Professional Interview, namely the Written Examination, which consists of two sections:
Section A: Technical Essay
Section B: Ethical Essay
Each essay will be allocated 90 minutes.
4.2 In Section A, Interviewers will normally set two questions, of which Candidate chooses one to
answer. The set questions are typically related to the technical aspects of the work in which
Candidate has gained substantial experience.
Page 12 of 21
4.3 Section A will be assessed based on two main Competency Categories, namely T-Technical
knowledge and application (T1, T2, T3) and W-Writing proficiency (W1, W2, W3):
Section A
T Technical Knowledge and Application
T1 Understands the scientific and engineering fundamentals of related discipline and own
specialization
T2 Applies the appropriate theoretical and practical methods to the analysis and solution of
engineering problems
T3 Applies the engineering knowledge related to local practices, codes, standards,
specifications, materials, products, environments, etc
W Written Communication / Proficiency
W1 Understands the question clearly and answers with suitable technical contents and relevant
examples
W2 Presents the answer with good structure, proper heading and paragraphing as well as
conciseness, coherence and cohesion
W3 Presents the answer legibly with good grammar, lexicon, spelling, and punctuation
4.4 In Section B, Interviewer will choose two questions from the official list of printed questions
related to IEM Regulations on Professional Conduct, of which Candidate chooses one to
answer. It is generally intended to test how the Candidate think about the role of the engineer
in society vis-à-vis the Regulations of Professional Conduct.
4.5 Section B will be assessed based on two main Competency Categories, namely P-Ethical
knowledge and application (P1, P2, P3) and W-Writing proficiency (W1, W2, W3):
Page 13 of 21
Section B
P Professional Ethics Knowledge and Application
P1 Understands IEM / BEM Code of Professional Conduct and contemporary ethical issues in
the engineering profession
P2 Takes professional & ethical responsibility in actual work situation to enhance the honour
and reputation of the engineering profession
P3 Understands the impact of engineering solutions in the larger context like society,
environment, health, safety, and public welfare
W Written Communication / Proficiency
W1 Understands the question clearly and answers with suitable technical contents and relevant
examples
W2 Presents the answer with good structure, proper heading and paragraphing as well as
conciseness, coherence and cohesion
W3 Presents the answer legibly with good grammar, lexicon, spelling, and punctuation
4.6 Candidate is required to answer the questions in both sections in hand-writing. Candidate is not
permitted to bring any form of reference materials, or use electronic devices with content
accessibility such as notebook, portable computer or mobile phones, etc. during essay writing.
4.7 Candidate is not allowed to spend the total of three hours for written examination flexibly by
using more than 90 minutes for one question at the expense of the other question.
5. Preparing for Professional Interview

5.1 The best way to prepare for the Interview is to review your Application Form, Training and
Experience Report (Portfolio of Evidence), and Technical Report.
5.2 Identify and determine which of your experience best demonstrate the required range of
competencies. Highlight your personal contribution.
5.3 Candidate is required to bring along the following:
A copy of the completed Professional Application Form
A copy of the completed Training and Experience Report (Portfolio of Evidence)
Three paper copies of the presentation materials
A copy of Candidate’s “Development Action Plan”
Photo-identification, such as MyKad, driving licence with photograph, passport or other
valid documents.
5.4 In rare cases where the Candidate has physical writing impairment, he should communicate
with IEM Secretariat to check if special arrangement could be made. IEM may not be able to
give any guarantee.
6 Post Interview
6.1 The Interviewers will NOT indicate to the Candidate the result of the Interview on the day of
Interview, as they have to go through the due process.
Page 14 of 21
6.2 At the end of the Interview, the Interviewers will make a report to IEM Secretariat. Candidate
will be informed of the outcome when a decision is made by relevant Committees in IEM.
7 Appeal
7.1 The Candidate has the right to appeal against the FAIL interview result. The appeal shall be
submitted within thirty (30) days from date of notification of the result.
7.2 Appeal Procedure:
i. The Candidate is required to submit the Professional Interview Result Appeal Form (IEM
PI C400); and
ii. Pay the Appeal Fee, as advised by IEM.
7.3 An appeal may be made on the following grounds only:
extenuating circumstances occurring during the application process or interview and/or
departure from the IEM’s application or interview procedures.
7.4 An appeal shall not be considered on the ground of the Interviewer's assessment of the
candidate’s performance.
7.5 The decision of the relevant IEM Committee on the appeal shall be final.
Page 15 of 21
IV Glossary
Applicant means an engineer, who has made an application to attend the Professional
Interview conducted by IEM after satisfying the necessary requirements.
Applicant should typically have gained an accredited engineering degree and subsequently
accumulated a minimum of three-years practical training and experience as an engineer.
BEM means “Board of Engineers Malaysia”, a body corporate under the Ministry of Works
Malaysia to regulate the engineering profession in Malaysia.
BEM Graduate Engineer means an engineer registered with BEM after graduating with an
accredited degree.
Bill of Quantities means the list of work items, raw materials, etc. and their respective
quantities required to complete an engineering work.
With regard to Chemical Engineering or related engineering discipline, the “Material and
Energy Balance” in lieu could be considered as the Bill of Quantities.
Candidate means an Applicant who has been assessed and approved by IEM to sit for the
Professional Interview.
Candidate should have been registered with BEM as Graduate Engineer under four (4) Major
Engineering Branches, namely Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering,
and Mechanical Engineering.
Chemical Candidate means a candidate from the Chemical Engineering discipline who has
spent a minimum aggregate of six (6) months in design experience, and six (6) months in
field, including in plant facility operations and supervising an engineering work.
Civil Candidate means a candidate from the Civil Engineering discipline, who has spent a
minimum aggregate of twelve (12) months in design, and twelve (12) months in field
supervising an engineering work.
Electrical Candidate means a candidate from the Electrical Engineering discipline, who has
spent a minimum aggregate of twelve (12) months in design, and six (6) months in field
supervising an engineering work.
He is expected to have knowledge and experience in the design, installation, operation
and/or maintenance of electrical installation or system with a voltage of at least 400V, three
phase and operating current of at least 300A. He is also expected to have sufficient exposure
to medium voltage (1kV up to 33kV).
Mechanical Candidate means a candidate from the Mechanical Engineering discipline, who
has spent a minimum aggregate of six (6) months in design of mechanical components,
equipment or a system, and another six (6) months in the supervision, fabrication,
installation, commissioning, operation or maintenance of mechanical engineering works.
He is to have knowledge and experience in at least three of the following sub-systems; fire-
protection, air-conditioning, lifts and escalators, water and sanitary plumbing, etc.
Competency means the ability to carry out a task to an effective standard, of which the
achievement requires the necessary level of knowledge, understanding and skill, as well as a
Page 16 of 21
professional attitude. It is part of the requirement that must be demonstrated in order for
an Applicant to be admitted as a Corporate Member of IEM. The formation process of
professional competence generally involves a combination of formal education and practical
training and experience.
Competency Categories means a group of Competency Elements that are classified under a
broad area of professional competency required for the assessment in Professional
Interview. The five groups of Competency Elements form a matrix to enable Professional
Interviewer to evaluate and assess the Candidates. [Refer to IEM PI 0100 and IEM PI A401]
Competency Elements means a component of Competency Category that describes a
specific area of professional competency against which the PI Candidate is assessed for his
level of attainment based on a specific set of standard criteria. Applicants will be required to
provide evidence of competence against each of the eighteen Competency Elements. [Refer
to IEM PI 0100 and IEM PI A401]
Competency Evidence means the evidence drawn from the work experience of Applicant as
he has encountered engineering problems or engaged in engineering activities. [Refer to IEM
PI 0100 and IEM PI A401 for the requirements]
Competency Model (Refer to IEM PI 0100) consists of eighteen “Competency Elements”
grouped under five “Competency Categories”. The Model demonstrates the underpinning
knowledge and understanding of engineering fundamentals, application abilities, leadership
and management skills, interpersonal skills, and personal commitment to the profession that
must be demonstrated in order to practice professionally.
Engineering Sub Branches means the sub-disciplines of engineering studies in which the
Applicant has practiced during his training due to his unique nature of work, such as water
resources, structural, highway, transportation, geotechnical, construction, environmental,
building services, manufacturing, aeronautical, aerospace, automotive, industrial, marine,
naval architecture, electronic, telecommunication, Computer, chemical, petroleum, process,
etc. As a prerequisite for his engineering training, he must spend a minimum aggregate of
six (6) months in design and another six (6) months in field work supervising his area of
expertise.
Engineering Experience means the period, in man-months, of training and experience of the
Applicant in an engineering work, inclusive of lecturing in institutions of higher learning. All
trainings during the period have to be supervised by a Supervising Engineer or his Mentor.
Applicant can gain professional engineering competency, and the evidence thereof, in the
course of his training, especially in providing solution to engineering problems. From the
compilation of his Portfolio of Evidence, the Applicant can self-assess whether he is ready to
make an application to attend his professional interview.
Design Experience means the training experience in which the Applicant plans, manages and
executes process and engineering design work, feasibility study, research and development
work, or operation and maintenance work.
Page 17 of 21
Field Experience means the training experience in which the Applicant is involved in site
supervision, investigations and verifications, testing and commissioning, as well as trouble-
shooting in the field.
Field experience shall not consist merely of periodical and routine inspections, attending
routine meetings, but shall have to include activities which demonstrate engineering
proficiency and competency like trouble-shooting, site situational problem solving, clarifying
of design uncertainties, proposing of better alternative designs, reviewing parameters and
improving work procedures and standard practice, surveys, material testing and work
sequencing.
Lecturing Candidate means a “Teacher in Engineering” who is engaged in teaching a course
leading to a qualification in engineering research or teaching a course leading to a
qualification approved by the Board ; and at least one Year of such practical shall be
obtained in Malaysia under the supervision of a registered Professional Engineer of the same
discipline or an approved allied discipline and shall be in fields of engineering practice other
than in research or teaching
In addition to these prerequisites, he must have not less than three (3) years’ experience,
which may include a period on:
a) an approved course of full time post-graduate study, or
b) on research for the award of a higher degree, or
c) research done whilst holding the position of teacher
Operation and Maintenance Candidate means the Applicant whose experience lies in the
operation and maintenance of process and engineering plant or system, which forms the
prerequisite for him to qualify to attend the Professional Interview.
Research and Development Candidate means the Applicant who has been engaged in
engineering research work as a prerequisite for his practical experience in engineering to
qualify him to attend his Professional Interview, and is doing research at the time of his
application to sit for the Professional Interview.
The candidate shall have at least five (5) years of experience made up of the following:
a) responsible position in engineering research; research for the award of a post graduate
Master or Doctorate degree could be considered for an aggregation up to a maximum of
one (1) or two (2) years respectively depending on the duration of the research; and
b) cumulative of one (1) year approved practical experience under the supervising engineer
of the same discipline.
Essay Writing means the second session of the Professional Interview, whereby the
Candidate is required to write two essays.
Essay Writing – Section A means the technical essay written by the Candidate during the
second session of his Professional Interview, whereby he will write on one of the two
alternative subjects selected by the Interviewers relating to his practical experience.
Essay Writing – Section B means the second essay written by the Candidate during the
second session of his Professional Interview on the Regulations of Professional Conduct. The
Page 18 of 21
Candidate will be asked to answer one question from two alternative questions selected by
the Interviewers from a list of questions previously available to the Candidate.
IEM is the abbreviation for “The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia”
IEM Branch means one of the twelve regional IEM branches, from which Applicant may
chose as his preferred venue for his Professional Interview, other at the IEM HQ. The twelve
(12) IEM Branches are Kedah/Perlis Branch, Penang Branch, Perak Branch, Negeri Sembilan
Branch, Melaka Branch, Southern Branch, Pahang Branch, Terengganu Branch, Kelantan
Branch, Sabah Branch, Miri Branch and Sarawak Branch.
IEM Corporate Member means a member of IEM who has been admitted or transferred into
the grade of Member (MIEM) or Fellow (FIEM) upon satisfying the IEM Council that he has
attained such standard and criteria as set by the Council being evidence of his proficiency as
a professional engineer.
IEM Council means the elected governing body of IEM with the mandate to direct and
manage all property and affairs of the Institution, including conducting the Professional
Interview for the purpose of admission or transfer as Member of IEM (MIEM).
IEM Graduate Member means a member of IEM who has been admitted or transferred into
the grade of Graduate Member (Grad IEM).
IEM Log Book Training Scheme means the training scheme organized by IEM to provide
guidance to IEM Graduate Member on a proper practical training so as to ensure that such
training fulfils the requirements for his transfer to the grade of MIEM.
Through the IEM Log Book Training Scheme, the IEM Graduate Member shall become a
Mentee who would obtain his practical experience under the supervision of a Mentor, for a
minimum period of three (3) years. The IEM Graduate Member (Mentee) shall maintain a log
book of his training, which shall be endorsed quarterly by his Mentor. Every year the log
book has to be submitted to IEM for record and endorsement.
IEM Monthly Bulletin means the monthly bulletin called ‘Jurutera’ published by IEM to
communicate to its members on matters affecting the Institution in particular and the
engineering profession in general.
The names of all PI Candidates will be published in this bulletin. If any IEM Corporate
Member has any reason as to why any of the Candidates is not a fit and proper person for
election or transfer as a Member of IEM (MIEM), he should communicate in writing to the
Honorary Secretary within a month from the date of publication.
The names of successful Candidates will be published after the IEM Council has approved the
election/transfer to the grade of MIEM.
MAB or Membership Application Board means the Sub Committee in IEM designated to
assessed the “IEM Professional Interview Application Document” submitted by Applicant
before deciding whether or not Applicant is ready to proceed for the Professional Interview.
Page 19 of 21
Mentor means an IEM Corporate Member who has been assigned to supervise the practical
training of an IEM Graduate Member under the IEM Log Book Training Scheme. The mentor
is typically of the same discipline as that of the mentee.
Oral Examination is the first session of the Professional Interview, whereby the Candidate
will be assessed by two (2) Professional Interviewers to determine whether he has attained
the level of competence for election/transfer to the grade of MIEM.
Peer Review is a process by which the professional engineering competence of Candidate is
checked by IEM Corporate Members (the would-be peers of Candidate) in the same
engineering discipline to ensure that he meets the necessary standards before he is
admitted as one of their peers.
Portfolio of Evidence means a collection of verified facts and/or documents that Applicant
must compile and present as the required evidence to show his competence against the
eighteen competency elements grouped under five competency categories (Refer to IEM PI
0100 and IEM PI A401)
Principal Interviewers means the two IEM Corporate Members assigned by the Professional
Interview Board to conduct the Professional Interview.
Professional Engineer means the professional title given to engineers who meet the
standard of competence required by the Board of Engineer Malaysia for registration as a
professional engineer. Becoming a MIEM satisfies the requirement to be registered as the
professional engineer under subsection 10(2) (a) (ii) (c) of the Registration of Engineers Act
1967 (Revised 2015).
Professional Interview Application Documents means the Applicant Forms, Training and
Experience Report (Portfolio of Evidence) and the Technical Report submitted by Applicant
with the intention to sit for the Professional Interview.
Professional Interview Board means the Sub Committee within the Institution assigned by
the IEM Council to manage the Professional Interview.
Regulation on Professional Conduct means a set of code intended to cover all eventualities
on how an IEM Corporate Member or a professional engineer shall conduct himself, written
in general terms based on broad ethical principles.
Supervising Engineer means an IEM Corporate Member, or equivalent professional
affiliation, of the same discipline who has personal knowledge of the Applicant/ Candidate’s
roles and responsibility within the same organization or company.
Technical Report means the one of the two reports to be submitted by Applicant when
submitting his Professional Interview Application Documents. The report shall follow the
requirement of the relevant major engineering branches; and may include one or more of
these areas of work, namely design work, feasibility study, research and development work,
operations and maintenance work, or other engineering work.
Training and Experience Report (Portfolio of Evidence) means a prescribed format in which
Applicant is required to compile and present a collection of facts and documents as the
Page 20 of 21
required evidence to show his competence gained during his work experience against the
eighteen competency elements grouped under five competency categories. This shall form a
basis for assessing his readiness to sit for the Professional Interview (Refer to IEM PI 0100
and IEM PI A401)
The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (“the Institution”) 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.
Unsuccessful Candidate means the Candidate who has not satisfied the IEM Council that he
has attained such standard and criteria as set by the Council being evidence of his
proficiency as a professional engineer.
Page 21 of 21

PI Guidelines For Applicant Candidate-Final

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

PI Guidelines For Applicant Candidate-Final

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

PI Guidelines For Applicant Candidate-Final

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

THE INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, MALAYSIA

I. The Professional Interview

II. Preparation of Documents

III. The Interview

A glossary of terms is included in the Guidelines.

1. Professional Interview Application Form

2. Training and Experience Report (Portfolio of Evidence)

Engineering Branch Design Experience Site Experience

Other Branches of Engineering 6 6

III The Interview

Question & Answer

Opportunity for Final Evidence

End of Oral Interview

5. Preparing for Professional Interview

You might also like