The Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) held its 14th Engineering Assembly in the International Conference Centre, Abuja from 20th - 21st September, 2005. The theme of the Assembly was "Engineering Education, Practice and Regulation: The Nigerian Situation".

The Assembly was declared open by the Special Guest of Honour, Engr. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, FNSE, GCFR, President and Commander in Chief of Nigerian Armed Forces, ably represented by the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe. The occasion was spectacularly graced by several imminent Nigerians including the Former Head of State, Gen. Dr. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), GCFR, who ably presided over the proceedings of the Opening Ceremony with his characteristic eloquence and charisma. Other dignitaries included State Governors, Leaders and members of National Assembly, the Chief Host and Minister of Capital Territory, Cabinet Ministers, gurus from the industry and academia.

An impressive attendance of about 2,500 participants was recorded at the Assembly. A total of seven invited papers covering engineering education, practice and regulation, entrepreneurship and sustainable development were delivered and discussed in the two-day duration of the Assembly.

A special feature of the 14th COREN Assembly was a special forum of the Committee of Deans of Faculties of Engineering (CODET).

The following is a summary of the presentations, discussions, conclusions and recommendations arising from the two-day brainstorming session of the engineering family on the crucial issue of Engineering Education, Practice and Regulation in Nigeria:

1. The reforms of the Science, Technology and innovation systems which the Government has initiated with UNESCO are vitally important in addressing poverty reduction, sustainable development and the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals for which Nigeria is a signatory.

2. Engineering Education and Practice have declined over the years, despite all the regulatory efforts, due to neglect of massive investment in the education sector in general and science and engineering programmes in particular. There is urgent need for governments to redress this anomaly with massive investment in infrastructures and human resource development. COREN shall strengthen its network with international bodies to ensure mutual recognition of engineering personnel and qualifications to enhance the mobility of engineering personnel so as to benefit significantly from cross-border partnerships and globalization

3. The present education of engineering personnel has been shown to fall short of the requirements of the modern workplace. The teaching and learning objectives of our education system need to be reviewed to emphasize student competencies in original problem identification, formulation and solution in a multi disciplinary atmosphere and under given constraints. COREN must insist on changing the current conventional methods of imparting engineering knowledge.

4. There is uncoordinated use of education and training capacities between industry and products of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) leading to serious gaps in the actual and expected quality of graduates produced. Entrepreneurship is considered as a major catalyst for leveraging the economic transformation of Nigeria through employment generation, self-reliance and poverty alleviation. Entrepreneurship should be introduced at all levels of education in Nigeria.

5. The training of the Nigerian Engineering Technicians and Craftsmen should be intensified through the support of the organized private sector while the government should encourage such companies through tax reduction. The current status of the Trade Centres and Colleges of Technology should be upgraded with better equipment and staffing for effective training of Nigerians.

6. Efforts should be made by the government to assemble and keep record of appropriately trained engineering technicians and craftsmen, as well as regulate the practice effectively.

7. The Assembly invited all stakeholders in engineering education, training and practice to embrace and invest in the Supervised Industrial Training Scheme in Engineering (SITSIE) for technology transfer and experience development. SITSIE Certification will form the final clearance for engineering personnel to enlist for the NYSC while the SITSIE and NYSC years count as experience for the Engineering Personnel.

8. SME dusters, informal sector operators such as the Nnewi dusters are recognized as institutions with potentials and features that should be tapped by COREN in the implementation of the SITSIE programme. There is need for radical change of attitude Government and individuals as to the need for massive investment in technology education and training as a critical success factor for the advancement of our country into the league of technologically developed nations.

9. Government of all levels, Engineering education/training institutions, firms, practitioners and indeed all other stakeholders are invited to make reference to the Engineers (Registration etc) Act E11 2004 to guide them in the legal requirements for education, training, practice including employment of engineering personnel.

10. In order to enable COREN realize its mandate for control and regulation of engineering practice in all its aspects and ramification, Council has instituted the Engineering Regulations Monitoring Programme. Accordingly, COREN inspectors are empowered to conduct visitation to establishments for the purposes of enforcing compliance with the Engineers (Registration) Act E11 2004.

11. The recent engineering failures especially collapse of buildings and bridges is a big shame to the image of our country. However, these failures have been found to be traceable to the activities of non -registered engineering personnel '"quacks". To combat this ugly scourge, COREN has introduced Project Control Forms PCF (A, B, C) to be submitted by design engineers and displayed on construction sites. Approving authorities should henceforth desist from approving designs or supervision without completion Projects Control Forms COREN inspectors are mandated to visit building sites and enforce compliance with Project Control Forms regulations and all aspects of quality control and assurance.

12. All universities and polytechnics are to submit to COREN and NBTE respectively, within the specified period, data on students of approved programmes and applications for new programmes in accordance with the Engineers (Registration etc) Act 2004. Only duly registered engineering personnel should be appointed as Deans, Heads of Department or Directors of engineering personnel programmes. In order to streamline the flow of information and synergy with the Universities and Polytechnics, COREN calls for the resuscitation and effectiveness of the Committee of Deans of Engineering (CODET) and Heads of Colleges of Technology (COHEADS) in the country.

13. The Assembly notes that COREN has taken the right steps on a Salary Scale for Engineers in the Public Sector (ESS), and calls on government to expedite action on approving this for implementation.

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