Does Pakistani PE licence 'come in handy' in other countries?

[ANStructs]

To those members, who had a PE licence in Pakistan and have now moved to foreign countries.

Do you find your PE licence aquired in Pakistan beneficial or useful in other countries?

 

[Simple Structures]

PE or Chartered Structural Engineer:

As far as I can tell, there is no formal Structural Engineering Institution in Pakistan. Such Institution assess specific competencies of local Structural Engineers, and then promote them overseas.

Pakistan Engineering Council registration is only formal requirement that I know of, and that is mostly based on having a civil engineering degree, the only the pre-requisite for registration as far as i can tell?

In developed countries Structural Engineering Exams are taken after 5 years practical design and construction experience and these examinations can have pass rates of 35% - i.e. 35 of the 100 engineers taking the exam pass. In such cases, only Engineers with real practical design and construction knowledge experience become PE or Chartered. Such professional accreditation is then recognised internationally.

Also, I am finding in Pakistan open knowledge sharing is done very reluctantly - don't know why 😞 

[ANStructs]

4 hours ago, Simple Structures said:

Pakistan Engineering Council registration is only formal requirement that I know of, and that is mostly based on having a civil engineering degree, the only the pre-requisite for registration as far as i can tell?

For, registered graduate engineers maybe, but not for professional engineer license.

I think the problem is not the lack of local or national engineering bodies, but the responsive system of existing governing bodies. 
The lack of communication channel between these bodies and professional engineers is also one of the reasons we feel isolated from practical world. We are not aware of the constructive work they have done or which might be in progress. 
In truth, most engineers are satisfied if their 9 to 6 job paid well and do not even care about such matters.

4 hours ago, Simple Structures said:

Such Institution assess specific competencies of local Structural Engineers, and then promote them overseas.

There are definitely lack of opportunities in Pakistan for personal growth, to collaborate with peers and share industry best practices.

4 hours ago, Simple Structures said:

in Pakistan open knowledge sharing is done very reluctantly - don't know why

You're talking about your work place dynamics or general observation from this forum? If the former is true, then this is mostly a global phenomenon. There are very few professional engineers who don't hesitate to share knowledge and hard earned experience with juniors.

[Simple Structures]

16 hours ago, ANStructs said:

You're talking about your work place dynamics or general observation from this forum? If the former is true, then this is mostly a global phenomenon. There are very few professional engineers who don't hesitate to share knowledge and hard earned experience with juniors.

For example, there is lack of sharing of research between Pakistani universities, research which the Pakistan taxpayers have paid ... having spoken to a couple of profs, they tended to agree....

There are no platforms (SEPakistan excepted) for Engineers to share their experiences of practical work......?

There are no regular publications of structural building design and construction papers ...? 

There are no field specialist’s knowledge harnessing and sharing platforms.......?

The infrastructure for such knowledge sharing and practising is missing - everyone of us needs to take up the challenge to change things for the profession in PK.... 

1. We require a PEC consensus of Pakistan's specific design codes - country specific design guides? Not an easy task.

2. PEC must consider having separate branches dedicated to each profession, to help each profession to blossom - civil, structural, electrical, chemical engineering etc....just like the rest of the world. 

3. Universities funding should be linked to research papers published - just like everywhere else. Needs to talk to IK & HEC.

4. Formal PE examination system must be put in place for Engineers - we all need to contribute.

5. CPD activities must be developed and rolled out - we all need to contribute;

6. Maybe some of us Engineers on this platform need to do something as individuals too - hold courses or arrange conference on practical aspects related to structural engineering - I will now from today Insha'Allah set out to plan holding a course in Islamabad & Mirpur during 2020 (Covid-19 restrictions permitting) on a "practical structural engineering" topic ..... and will start preparing the course notes from today!

7. Let us all further the structural engineering profession in PK .... & yes, we can.... it  depends on who and how many of us are up for the challenge.

Apologies if this post is sounding like a political speech - I hope no forum rules have been transgressed by the content of this post.

[ANStructs]

On 4/12/2020 at 1:52 PM, Simple Structures said:

For example, there is lack of sharing of research between Pakistani universities, research which the Pakistan taxpayers have paid ... having spoken to a couple of profs, they tended to agree....

Civil Dept. at NED University have been talking about doing this since I was a student. I don't know where this debate has progressed to since. May be a member from NED civil faculty can shed more light on the status of this project.

All good points raised and I applaud you for your endeavors regards to your believes. Nevertheless, IMO the individual efforts will not affect the tip of the iceberg that are our issues. That is, our own construction policies or the lack thereof.

We will still be at the same place after a decade or two, until serious efforts are taken at government level. The most immediate step that should be taken is to develop and properly enforce the Pakistan building code and not the ACI code. Even though we all know that the current Pakistani code is the combination of UBC 97 and American codes provisions.

Next step will be to immerse the various research work into the code body. That's how we will truly start to have our own code to follow.

[ANStructs]

And the discussion has veered off from my original query.

Does no one has an answer for the original question posted?

[Simple Structures]

@ANStructs  Pakistani Structural Engineers need to take a lead on this.

In Pakistan there is too much reliance on "government" or "governmental bodies" for everything. You should know how our politicians get to where they are, IK excepted, and what their motivation is.  Let each one of the Pakistani Engineers make a contribution, and take a lead at local level, in their city or district - Organise structural engineer meetings, make presentations and share your experiences!

Universities, their funding should be linked to research they publish. No other way.

Hope to see you at the first such event later this year, hopefully in Islamabad .... nearest big city closet to my village ...   Watch this space!

[ANStructs]

3 minutes ago, Simple Structures said:

In Pakistan there is too much reliance on "government" or "governmental bodies" for everything.

May be I'm one of those who see the glass half empty 🙂 . I've become a little (ok, alot) cynical from current situation of Pakistan that I've lost all hope.

But that doesn't mean that I'll not encourage or pray for the success of the progressive work done by good samaritans like you. And, I would love to believe this of myself (even though the lack of evidence) that I'll also contribute in such endeavors if I'm in a position to help.

 

[ANStructs]

13 minutes ago, Simple Structures said:

Hope to see you at the first such event later this year, hopefully in Islamabad .... nearest big city closet to my village ...   Watch this space!

And some people say we will still be dealing with Covid 19 in 2021. 🤔

But, Hopefully not.

 

[Ayesha]

2 hours ago, ANStructs said:

And the discussion has veered off from my original query.

Does no one has an answer for the original question posted?

The only benefit you can get is that some jurisdictions (depending on province to province) have different rules, and acknowledge more than 10 years of professional engineering work provided references can be provided. So it can help you get registered as a professional engineer down the road somewhere outside of Pakistan, however, the biggest benefit of a PE license in North American is that different provinces have transfer agreements. For example, Texas has an agreement with one of the provinces in Canada, so registration in either will give you potential to get transfer licence and look for work elsewhere should you need, but a Pakistani PE License lacks the biggest or most useful perk (based on my opinion) of a PE License.

 

[ANStructs]

In short, a Pakistani PE licence has no benefit or use outside of Pakistan.

You'll have to pass the necessary exams and test of that country.