is regarded as one of the leading scientists in
classical antiquity whose ideas have underpinned much of the practice of engineering. The definition of the term "engineer" varies across countries and continents.
Asia and Africa In the
Indian subcontinent, Russia, Middle East, Africa, and China, engineering is one of the most sought-after undergraduate courses, for which entrance examinations are highly competitive. In Egypt, the educational system makes engineering the second-most respected profession in the country (after medicine); engineering colleges at
Egyptian universities require extremely high marks on the
General Certificate of Secondary Education (
al-Thānawiyyah al-`Āmmah) – in the order of 97 or 98 per cent – and are thus considered (along with the colleges of medicine, natural science, and pharmacy) to be among the "pinnacle colleges" (
kullīyāt al-qimmah). In the Philippines and
Filipino communities overseas, engineers who are either Filipino or not, especially those who also profess other jobs at the same time, are addressed and introduced as
Engineer, rather than
Sir/Madam in speech or
Mr./Mrs./Ms. (
G./Gng./Bb. in Filipino) before surnames. That word is used either in itself or before the given name or surname.
Europe by the launching chains of the
SS Great Eastern.|299x299px , thirty two countries in Europe (including nearly all 27 countries of the EU) now recognise the title of "European Engineer" which permits the use of the pre-nominal title of
"EUR ING" (always fully capitalised). Each country sets its own precise qualification requirement for the use of the title (though they are all broadly equivalent). Holding the requisite qualification does not afford automatic entitlement. The title has to be applied for (and the appropriate fee paid). The holder is entitled to use the title in their passport. EUR INGs are allowed to describe themselves as
professionally qualified engineers and practise as such in any of the 32 participating countries including those where the title of engineer is regulated by law.
France was a French civil engineer. In France, the term (engineer) is not a protected title and can be used by anyone who practices this profession. However, the title (graduate engineer) is an official academic title that is protected by the government and is associated with the ''
Diplôme d'Ingénieur, which is a renowned academic degree in France. Anyone misusing this title in France can be fined a large sum and jailed, as it is usually reserved for graduates of French engineering grandes écoles''. Engineering schools which were created during the French revolution have a special reputation among the French people, as they helped to make the transition from a mostly agricultural country of late 18th century to the industrially developed France of the 19th century. A great part of 19th-century France's economic wealth and industrial prowess was created by engineers that have graduated from
École Centrale Paris,
École des Mines de Paris,
École polytechnique or
Télécom Paris. This was also the case after WWII when France had to be rebuilt. Before the "réforme
René Haby" in the 1970s, it was very difficult to be admitted to such schools, and the French were commonly perceived as the nation's élite. However, after the Haby reform and a series of further reforms (
Modernization plans of French universities), several engineering schools were created which can be accessed with relatively lower competition. Engineering positions in France are now shared between the graduating from engineering and the holders of a
master's degree in science from
public universities.
Italy was an
aeronautical engineer and Arctic explorer. In Italy, only people who hold a formal engineering qualification of at least a bachelor's degree are permitted to describe themselves as an engineer. So much so that people holding such qualifications are entitled to use the pre-nominal title of "" (or "" if female - in both cases often abbreviated to "Ing.") in lieu of "Signore", "Signorina" or "Signora" (Mr, Miss and Mrs respectively) in the same manner as someone holding a doctorate would use the pre-nominal title "Doctor".
United Kingdom In the UK, the practice of engineering is not a regulated profession but control of the titles of
chartered engineer (CEng) and
incorporated engineer (IEng) is regulated. These titles are protected by law and are subject to strict requirements defined by the
Engineering Council. The title CEng is in use in nations of the
Commonwealth of Nations that follow or adapt British professional codes. Many skilled and semi-skilled tradespeople in the UK, including, for example,
engineering technicians who service
domestic appliances or telephone systems, call themselves engineers, and the term in that context is commonly used by the public. Proposals such as a 2015
petition to the
UK parliament to legally protect the title "engineer" so that only professional engineers could use it have been unsuccessful ()
North America Canada In Canada, engineering is a regulated profession whose practice and practitioners are licensed and governed by law. Licensed professional engineers are referred to as P.Eng. Many Canadian engineers wear an
Iron Ring. In all Canadian provinces, the title "Professional Engineer" is protected by law and any non-licensed individual or company using the title is committing a legal offence and is subject to fines and restraining orders. Contrary to insistence from the Professional Engineers Ontario ("PEO") and Engineers Canada, use of the title "Engineer" itself has been found by Canadian law to be acceptable by those not holding P.Eng. titles. The title of engineer is not exclusive to P.Eng titles. The title of Engineer is commonly held by "
Software Engineer", the
Canadian Military as various ranks and positions,
railway locomotive engineers,
Stationary engineer and
Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AME), all of which do not commonly hold a P.Eng. designation.
United States In the United States, the practice of professional engineering is highly regulated and the title "professional engineer" is legally protected, meaning that it is unlawful to use it to offer engineering services to the public unless permission, certification or other official endorsement is specifically granted by that state through a professional engineering license.
Spanish-speaking countries a
Spanish-born
Mexican mechanical engineer specialized in
Rheology. Certain Spanish-speaking countries follow the Italian convention of engineers using the pre-nominal title, in this case "" (or "" if female). Like in Italy, it is usually abbreviated to "Ing." In Spain this practice is not followed. The engineering profession enjoys high prestige in Spain, ranking close to medical doctors, scientists and professors, and above judges, journalists or entrepreneurs, according to a 2014 study. ==See also==