IEEQ celebrates 10 years
The Internationally Educated Engineers Qualification (IEEQ) Program at the University of Manitoba is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year!
From its beginning in 2003 as a small pilot program with an uncertain future, the IEEQ Program has grown into an established and well-recognized vehicle to bring experienced and qualified engineers into the profession. For the 2013 editions of What’s News we would like to recognize and highlight some of the graduates of this program. Each individual who made the choice to take on the challenge of the IEEQ program and endeavour to meet the requirements for professional registration demonstrated true commitment and courage in the face of uncertainty and hard work.
For example, 10 years ago Tariq Aziz, a young but experienced agricultural engineer from Pakistan just arrived to Canada with his spouse and two young children. Working the night shift as a security guard in a downtown office building, he attended the IEEQ Program during the day, taking a heavy course load in order to be finished in one year. After a co-op work term at Manitoba Hydro, he was successful in obtaining full-time employment at Manitoba Hydro, where he continues to work today as a registered P.Eng. in a senior technical role.
“I remember Tariq in my weekly class, often having a short power nap before the class started and apologizing for his fatigue, but always with a sense of humour and positive attitude,” says Dr. Marcia Friesen, P.Eng., Director of the IEEQ Program. “He’s one of the many examples of goal-oriented individuals who have come through the IEEQ Program and are experiencing the well-deserved professional rewards of their efforts”.
Since IEEQ was created in 2003, 108 internationally educated engineers have graduated from the program, and another 40 are currently enrolled in the IEEQ Program, completing a program of senior-level engineering courses, an industry internship or co-op work placement, language and communication development, cultural orientation, and professional networking.
Many graduates of the IEEQ program have now come together to form an alumni organization to raise bursary support for current IEEQ students, and to provide mentoring and way-finding to other internationally-educated engineers. One such fundraiser will take place this October as these graduates not only celebrate their own success, but the success of the IEEQ program on its 10th anniversary.
For more information, please contact Marcia Friesen, P.Eng., IEEQ Director, at 204-474-7873 or Marcia [dot] Friesen [at] ad [dot] UManitoba [dot] ca. Visit us online at umanitoba.ca/engineering/ieeq