The

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The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia
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THE PROFESSIONAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
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The main purpose of these questions is to
manifest professionalism of a candidate. A
candidate should have gained some understanding
of the Professional Code of Ethics and conduct
before entering for the Professional Interview.
The questions selected by the Examiners may be
expected to be familiar.
IEM-COE-PI
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A candidate would be expected to demonstrate-

• That he has thought sufficiently about the role
  of the engineer in the society vis-à-vis his
  professional Code of Ethics.
• That he can write in clear and concise manner
  that is intelligible to laymen.

Candidate would be expected to answer only 1
question out of 2 selected by the Examiners from
among the 15 questions listed below-
IEM-COE-PI
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1. Discuss the dilemma engineers face in
balancing capital expenditure versus optimum
design for efficient operations and maintenance,
bearing in mind the impact of capital expenditure
on the engineers fees.
IEM-COE-PI
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Technological and economic efficiencies in
providing service to the public are the expected
benefits from the privatisation of public
utilities companies in Malaysia. Discuss with
examples whether the technological benefits of
privatisation have been achieved.
IEM-COE-PI
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Are the present safety practices of your industry
adequate? What steps do you consider should be
taken by the industry to address the present
situation?
IEM-COE-PI
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The manifestation of professionalism among
engineers occurs through their interactions with
other segments of the society, which can be
viewed essentially as an exercise in group
dynamics. In this regard, the Institution of
Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) is ideally constituted
to serve this purpose. Discuss the various
functions that can be provided by IEM in
promoting professionalism.
IEM-COE-PI
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In this technological age, the power of the
engineers in shaping the society and environment
is all pervading and can profoundly affect the
lives of many members of the society.
Enumerate, from your personal experience, how
largely positive impacts have accrued from the
contributions of engineers.
IEM-COE-PI
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He shall not under any circumstances solicit
advisory or consultative work, either directly or
by an agent, nor shall he pay, by commission or
otherwise any person who may introduce clients to
him. Discuss the ways in which an engineer,
especially one that is a newcomer to the field,
can project him/herself as a responsible
professional to the society without being guilty
of violating the above.
IEM-COE-PI
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As an engineer responsible for the development of
a new project, your first task according to the
planning schedule is to clear the land and
prepare the site for construction. To do so, you
will need to clear vast stretches of land that
will undoubtedly cause land erosion and
subsequently contaminating of streams and rivers
around the site. You are under tremendous
pressure to finish the task as the job is already
behind schedule. Given the constraints that you
have with regards to deadline, limited technical
solutions and the preservation of the
environment, discuss the ethical considerations,
which confront you under the circumstances.
IEM-COE-PI
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Engineers are often entrusted with the
responsibility of implementing large-scale
projects involving millions of dollars. In view
of the large amount of money changing hands, the
integrity and ethical standards of engineers are
being put to test. What measures can an
engineer take to prevent corruption and unethical
practice of cutting corners in order to safeguard
the good image of the engineering profession?
IEM-COE-PI
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In recent years, there is stronger awareness by
the public at large for better quality works in a
construction project. How can a professional
engineer ensure better quality construction
without conflicting with the profit objectives of
both the owner and the contractor?
IEM-COE-PI
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Conflict of professional interest frequently
arises in the working environment of an
engineer. Discuss the statement and propose
the appropriate solutions for overcoming the
problems.
IEM-COE-PI
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Recent years have seen increased national and
international Protocols and Regulations and
national Acts and Legislation on the control of
many forms of pollution. Discuss the needs and
consequences of observing these regulations with
special reference to the particular industry you
are involved in.
IEM-COE-PI
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In todays dynamic marketplace, many
organisations/industries are initiating cost
reduction measures to remain competitive.
Discuss the contradictory demand of cost
reduction programmes and the need to invest to
enhance the standards of Health, Safety and
Environment (HSE) in the industry. Is it
possible to be cost-effective yet meeting the
ever-increasing HSE requirements?
IEM-COE-PI
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Engineers are increasingly playing a significant
role in the nations fast pace development.
Please suggest how engineers can make greater
contributions with awareness in safety, health
and environment and how engineers can keep
abreast with the development of technology
without confining to ones specific roles or
disciplines.
IEM-COE-PI
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In a turnkey project, the turnkey contractor
requested you as a consultant to put up irregular
(i.e. non-conforming to current engineering
practice) proposals to maximise profits from the
project. Discuss the key points that you must
address so as not to compromise on your
professional ethics.
IEM-COE-PI
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With the rapid development in IT, would virtual
Laboratories be a good substitute for real ones
in engineering? Elaborate on the merits and
demerits of the issue.
IEM-COE-PI
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BOARD OF ENGINEERS MALAYSIAPROFESSIONAL
ASSESSMENT EXAMINATIONQUESTIONS ON CODE OF
PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
These questions are applicable to Section B of
the Essay. Candidates would be expected to
answer only ONE question out of two which would
be selected by the examiners from among the 8
questions listed below
BEM-COPC-PAE
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1. The engineer has a duty of care to the public
under common law. Discuss, giving examples, the
obligations that his duty imposes on himself as a
Professional Engineer.
BEM-COPC-PAE
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If you were a consulting engineer and was
submitting Turnkey tender on behalf of a Turnkey
Contractor, would you consider a conflict of
interest between the role of a consulting
engineer and contractor. Enlarge on the ethics
of this subject.
BEM-COPC-PAE
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Identify the areas in which conflict between the
Resident Engineers staff and contractors staff
can develop and give your views as to whether
good relationship can be achiever without
infringing on the code of ethics. Illustrate
your answer from your own experience.
BEM-COPC-PAE
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It is clear to you that an Engineer engaged in a
particular project (implement at the tax payers
account) is not maintaining professional
standards, i.e professional competence and
integrity are lacking.What would be your
reaction? Would you report the above incident to
the Board of Engineers, Malaysia or bring this to
the attention of the client or will you maintain
silence and which standard work being completed?
BEM-COPC-PAE
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Every Engineer shall at all times so order his
conduct to uphold the dignity and reputation of
his profession and to safeguard the public
interest in matters of safety and herein and
others. He shall exercise his professional skill
and the judgement to the best of his abilities in
discharging his professional responsibilities.
He shall also act with firmness and integrity
towards all persons with whom his work is
connected. Discuss your responsibilities and
obligations in the event that, due to building
operations under charge, adjacent buildings have
been damaged beyond repairs.
BEM-COPC-PAE
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Professional Engineer should be allowed to
practice as consultants and as contractor at the
same time. Do you agree with the statement?
If so, give your reasons objectively for
supporting it. If not also give reasons for
appeasing it.
BEM-COPC-PAE
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Under normal circumstances, a consulting engineer
should not supplant the work of another
consulting engineer after knowing that the 1st
consulting engineer has already been entrusted
with the work. If he has been asked by the same
client to take over the work of that 1st
consulting engineer, what do you think should be
the proper procedure in effecting the charge of
consultants. How should the matter be dealt
with if the 1st engineer refuses to agree to this
change because he has not been paid his fees by
the client?
BEM-COPC-PAE
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A consulting Engineer has submitted structural
design plans to the local authority for a certain
building. The client terminates his services
after the plans have been approved by the local
authority. You are then engaged to take over his
work and complete the project including
supervision of construction. What are your
professional responsibilities and those of the
previous engineer who has submitted the plans? If
you have to make changes to the structural
drawings, what do you think should be the proper
procedure in dealing with this matter and also
how you assign professional liability?
BEM-COPC-PAE