The Society of Engineers was a learned society that was integrated with the Institution of Incorporated Engineers (IIE) in 2005, with both societies later being incorporated into the Institution of Engineering and Technology. It was the first Society to issue the professional title of Incorporated Engineer.
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Establishment
Established in May 1854 in The Strand, London, the Society of Engineers was the third oldest professional engineering body in the UK. It promoted the interests of members worldwide and was concerned with all branches of engineering. It was founded by Henry Palfrey Stephenson and Robert Monro Christie as a means of reunion for former students of Putney College — one of few institutions then giving technical and scientific training for engineers — with Stephenson serving as chairman in 1856 and 1859.
Examinations
To became a member the candidate was subjected to an examination divided into three parts:
Membership Qualifications
minimum age 21 years, a qualification BTEC, HND, HNC or GNVQ/NVQ/SNQ Level 4 in engineering or similar approved qualification and 3 years of engineering training. Pass Part I of SoE's Exams.
minimum age 23 years, ASE plus CertEng or BEng / BSc or GNVQ / NVQ / SNVO Level 5 in engineering or similar approved qualification and 5 years of engineering training /experience including 2 years practical or site work. Pass Part II of SoE's Exams.
minimum age 26 years AMSE plus DipEng or BEng(Hons)or similar approved qualification or MEng with approved project study at a participating university and 5 years engineering training/experience including 2 years practical or site work plus holding a position of professional responsibility for at least 3 years. Pass Part III of SoE's Exams.
Sample of the Membership Certificate : The sensible data of the holder have been deleted for privacy reasons .
See slides 7-42-43-44 http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/aSGuest141513-1498327-technicians-engineers-challenges-possibilities/ Thes Society of Professional Engineers-SPE( UK ) is a direct emanation of the Society of Engineers ( 1969 ) . See links at the bottom of the page .
minimum age 33 years, Corporate Members of at least 7 years standing, who in the opinion of the Membership Elections Committee endorsed by the directors are deemed to have had sufficient experience (including major responsibility in the design, research or execution of engineering works) and who can also demonstrate continued career development. Services rendered to The Society in particular or to the profession of engineering generally are also taken into account.
Honorary Fellows shall be persons of distinguished position or scientific attainments nominated and elected by the directors who shall consent to become Members of The Society.
Timeline
Eminent members
The Society has had many eminent engineers among its membership and in receipt of its prestigious awards — the most recent being the Churchill Medal. In 1946 Sir Winston Churchill became an Honorary Fellow and approved the use of his name for the Society's senior award. Recipients have since included Sir Frank Whittle for jet engine design, Sir Christopher Hinton and Sir John Cockcroft for their work on atomic energy, Sir Geoffrey de Havilland for aircraft design, Sir Bernard Lovell for radio astronomy and Professor Alan Wells for the Wells turbine for wave power. The presentation of the Society's Certificate of Honorary Fellowship to the Rt. Hon. Winston Churchill took place at the House of Commons on November 27, 1946 in the company of the Society's President for that year, Mr. Albert Edward Turner, together with the Vice-Presidents and immediate Past-President. A photograph exists of this occasion, signed by those present. Eminent Honorary Fellow was Sir Guglielmo Marconi, the father of the Radio.
Eminent SoE Past President-1990-91
Mergers
The merger with the IIE ensured continued recognition of The Society of Engineers name as its members retained their post nominal letters (MSE or MSEng.), also securing a broader membership base for IIE.
Present status within the IET
The Institution of Engineering and Technology was formed in 2006 by the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE) and the Institution of Incorporated Engineers (IIE) and now has more than 150,000 members worldwide. This new Institution now incorporates all the Members of the Society of Engineers.