Engineering union to introduce test for graduates

Egypt’s engineering union is planning to introduce licensing tests for graduates in an effort to boost professional standards and curb the number of engineers attending private engineering schools, amid complaints about the quality of graduates.

Initially, the tests, due to start this year, will be optional pending legal amendments, according to Tareq Al Nabarawi, chair of the independent Egyptian Engineers Syndicate, one of the world’s largest professional unions with members numbering approximately 470,000 engineers from all specialisations.

“There is an article in the law stating that the association is responsible for the scientific standards of engineers. But another article in the same law gives each and every engineering graduate the right to be a member of the Engineers Syndicate,” Al Nabarawi said.

Due to this contradiction, the union’s tests cannot be obligatory for applicants. To clear this legal hurdle, the union plans to go to parliament to amend the law.

Two-stage process

“The association will conduct the test in two stages: the first will be optional; the second will be obligatory after the parliament passes the amendment.”

The envisaged tests will focus on the basics of engineering for applicants, Al Nabarawi told reporters.

“Those who pass the test will obtain a certificate stating that they are qualified for work. Gradually, employers will prefer holders of this certified certificate.”

The move, according to Al Nabarawi, is aimed at cutting the numbers of students attending engineering schools in this Middle Eastern country.

“Every year, the Ministry of Higher Education increases the numbers of students admitted into faculties of engineering for political reasons,” he said. “This [increase] happens although a significant portion of graduates suffer from unemployment or they work in careers other than engineering because they have failed to find a job in their field of specialisation,” he told independent newspaper Al-Shorouk.

Excessive graduates

Egypt has a total of 72 engineering schools, including 47 at private universities. Around 35,000 students graduate from them annually, almost 10,000 higher than the needs of the local job market, according to recent figures.

“The numbers of engineering graduates are higher than those required by the job market. At the same time, there is a sharp decline in the standards of graduates at several institutes,” Al Nabarawi said.

He apportioned blame to private engineering schools.

“Most private engineering faculties and institutes lack basics. Private education has turned into a profit-orientated business that does not pay due attention to the student’s level. This does not mean that the [engineering] association is against private education. But we just want it to groom high-quality graduates.”

Lower entrance requirements

Several private universities in Egypt accept students who have scored lower grades in high school examinations than those accepted at state-run institutions.

The engineering union has recently announced that it will not accept into its membership any graduate who attends a private school with an aggregate that is 10% lower than the minimum set by public universities in Egypt.

“Private faculties and institutes of engineering have contributed to the deterioration of education. Some of them accept students with a secondary school examination aggregate of 55%,” Al Nabarawi said. On average, state-run engineering schools set 90% as the grade limit for enrolment.

The marks a student scores in the high school exams are the sole criteria for university admission in Egypt.

The Supreme Council of Universities, a state-appointed body in charge of higher education policies in Egypt, is expected later in July to announce the allotted places for new students at different schools for the new academic year.

Around 592,000 students sat for high school certificate exams this year in Egypt.

'Comprehensive vision’

The latest steps taken by the engineering union are part of what Al Nabarawi has called a “comprehensive vision” to elevate engineering education in Egypt.

“This vision starts with laying down rules for enrolment at private institutes and faculties and culminates in conducting licensing tests for practising the profession,” he told independent newspaper Al Watan.

“There must be a clear system to evaluate students before they are admitted into faculties of engineering.”

In recent months, higher education authorities have suggested holding admission tests for students before they attend universities. No specific date has been set for initiating these tests.