About the Institution

The Institution of Professional Engineers Papua New Guinea (IEPNG) is the professional body which represents professional engineers from all disciplines in Papua New Guinea. The terms "engineering profession" and "professional engineer/engineering" are used by the Institution in the broadest possible way, to include all those who use a systematic process of analysis, design/synthesis and implementation, strive to operate in a responsible way, are governed by a code of ethics set by their peers, and engage in continuing professional development to maintain the currency of their competence.

The terms adopted do not specify how such skills are achieved, and thus IEPNG seeks to include people from widely varying educational backgrounds.

IEPNG provides services for about 1,400 members, who are classified into various membership classes according to their levels of education and extent of experience in engineering practice. The Institution embarked to set internationally bench-marked qualifying standards for degree qualifications in engineering and thus serves engineers by securing formal recognition for their professional standing by working with relevant organisations in Papua New Guinea and networking with organisations abroad.

IEPNG assesses foreign qualifications, encourages and assists continuing professional development through the four (4) year Graduate Professional Development Program (GPDP). IEPNG provides a widening range of membership services including in house short courses. It also represents engineers' interests with government and provides contact with other professionals through Chapters. IEPNG promotes public debate on engineering issues in the community, and seeks to contribute, on behalf of the engineering profession, to the resolution of issues affecting the wider community.

IEPNG is governed by an elected Board, chaired by the Chairman and including eight other members. This Board sets strategy and employs the Chief Executive, who manages the revenue and expenditure of the budget to provide services to members and to fund activities defined by the strategy.

The roots of IEPNG go back almost 50 years. The first professional engineering body in Papua New Guinea, Society of Professional Engineers was formed in 1973. The Society grew steadily over the next twenty years until 1980, when the increasing number of non-civil engineers among the membership began to demand recognition in the form of a name change. Therefore, after much debate, the name of the Society of Professional Engineers was changed to the Institution of Engineers Papua New Guinea. The present name was adopted in 1982 to reflect the importance of the professional engineering ethos in the organisation.