HK engineers in world pact

THE Hong Kong Institute of Engineers has secured international recognition for locally-educated engineers after its acceptance as a signatory to an accord in Washington.

The accord, known as the Agreement for the Recognition of Equivalency of Engineering Education Course-Programmes leading to the Accredited Engineering Degree, provides for the mutual recognition of academic engineering qualifications in the member countries and territories.

They are Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Britain, the United States, South Africa and Hong Kong.

Following ratification, local engineering degrees accredited by the institute will be recognised by all the signatories, making it much more likely Hong Kong engineers seeking to work abroad will be able to do so without the need to undergo further qualification.

The success of the institute in gaining international recognition for local engineering degrees also means local and overseas investors will now be able to tap the expertise of engineers from around the world.

This will go some way to make up for the shortage suffered by Hong Kong because of the 'brain drain'.