31 Filipinos recognised as Asean engineers at Doha ceremony

The Asean Federation of Engineering Organisations (Afeo) recently conferred 31 Filipino engineers from diverse disciplines as Asean engineers.The conferment in Doha, organised by the Philippine Technological Council (PTC) – Middle East North Africa Qatar Affairs, was a highlight of the 6th IECEP GCC Convention and 1st Leaders’ Summit, with distinguished guests in attendance.The speakers included Simon Yeong Chin Chow of IEM-Malaysia and head commissioner of the Asean Engineers Registry; Gerhard Tan, Professional Regulatory Commission – Professional Regulatory Board for Electronics Engineering, who officiated the oath of membership; and Romulo Agatep, country registrar for PTC – Manila, who also led the charging of the new inductees with their duties as advanced level engineers.In her speech at the event, Philippine ambassador Lilibeth V Pono said: "Engineers are not just there to help build things but doing the work which is vital in transforming lives, not just of individuals, but of communities and of nation”.Roy L Baquiran, presidential deputy adviser for PTC - Mena Qatar Affairs, led the conferment ceremony. The newly conferred Asean engineers include three civil engineers, 13 electronics engineers, three electrical engineers, 11 mechanical engineers and one chemical engineer.They met the stringent qualifications for the Asean Engineers Registry, which requires a minimum of seven years of post-graduate professional experience and two years of significant engineering works. Becoming part of this prestigious registry not only acknowledges their achievements but also promotes the recognition of Asean Engineers globally, encouraging professional mobility across Asean countries.Afeo, a non-governmental organisation, aims to foster goodwill and mutual understanding among Asean engineers, while establishing a standard for the profession that enhances opportunities for regional collaboration and mobility. The event served as both a recognition of individual accomplishments and a testament to the growing role of Filipino engineers in the global engineering community.