V-cs voice engineering fears

THE ENGINEERING Council has proposed tough entry standards for engineering degree courses. But several university heads described the proposals this week as "elitist" and a threat to the profession.

The final draft of a council report on professional qualifications for engineers recommends "fewer and better chartered engineers and more and better incorporated engineers".

The report, called SARTOR 96, sets entry standards for council-accredited MEng degrees at 24 points at A level or equivalent, 18 points for BEng (Hons) and six points for the ordinary BEng. The four-year MEng would meet all the academic requirements needed for registration as a chartered engineer. An extra year of study would be needed for the three-year BEng (Hons). The non-honours BEng degree could lead to registration as an incorporated engineer or IEng.

But it is widely believed that few of more than 100 institutions offering engineering courses will be able to cater for the MEng courses envisaged by the council. Some institutions may be forced to cut back on engineering degree provision or leave engineering.

Michael Driscoll, vice chancellor of Middlesex University, said that the proposals are "elitist", and would disadvantage those entering degree programmes late and through routes such as HND courses. He said: "The council's proposals may succeed in preserving old departments in traditional universities but at the expense of overall engineering excellence in the United Kingdom. If the proposals go through many engineering programmes will not be viable and will be closed down. The recommendations are deeply offensive to those universities whose business it is to open up opportunities."

Neil Buxton, vice chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire, said the council had failed to appreciate that there was "very little correlation" between qualifications of students embarking on courses and their abilities on graduating.

He said that the council would fail to increase the number of incorporated engineers through the non-honours BEng route. "Students will perceive they are not properly valued by the profession and will simply look for a BSc honours programme in another discipline. It is not just a question of an old university/new university divide. Many traditional universities must be seriously concerned about their ability to recruit students with the requisite qualifications."

Robin Bond of the Engineering Council said that the council intended to promote its incorporated engineer plans. He said: "Those gaining IEng will not be seen as failed chartered engineers. By having a degree specially for the incorporated rank, we are emphasising the importance of the practical approach to the profession."