B.C. Association to Register
Software Professional Engineers

The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (APEGBC) on June 25 announced several initiatives relating to software engineers, including that qualified individuals practicing engineering in the software engineering field now are eligible for registration with the association and able to receive the Professional Engineer or P.Eng. designation. Registration requires an appropriate combination of education and professional experience, but is not limited to those with engineering degrees.

"Our objective is to finally recognize the tremendous contribution of software engineers to society. APEGBC is interested in promoting their value and supporting high standards of professionalism in this field. This complements our existing registration process for computer engineers, " said APEGBC President Paul Blanchard, P.Eng.

APEGBC's Computer and Software Engineering Task Force has been working closely with the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers, Canadian universities and societies such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

"We believe that only through close cooperation with these other groups and professional societies will we be able to adequately address the needs of the software engineering professional in British Columbia," said Stuart Bourhill, P.Eng., chair of the task force and president of Xecute.com Innovations Inc., a high-technology development firm. "We are currently accepting applications and are very excited about the prospects for this initiative."

In a related development, APEGBC announced the formation of a new division for computer and software engineering, which will allow professionals in the two disciplines to address professional practice guidelines, professional development strategies and continuing education opportunities. The next meeting of the division for all interested parties is on Sept. 23, 1999 at APEGBC's offices in Burnaby.

Additional information on APEGBC and its software engineering initiatives, as well as the new Computer and Software Engineering Division, is available on the association's website at http://www.apeg.bc.ca Applications received prior to Oct. 1, 1999 will not be subject to the normal application fee of $360. Those interested in registration and division membership are invited to contact: Gillian Pichler, P.Eng. Director, Registration

APEGBC
Tel: (604) 412-4857
Fax: (604) 430-8085
e-mail: gpichler@apeg.bc.ca

APEGGA Director, Registration and Compliance Dave Todd, P.Eng., notes that APEGGA also encourages qualified individuals practicing engineering in the software engineering field to apply for professional registration. The application fee is $80.00 if registered in another association and $165.00 if applying for the first time. The requirements are that applicants have the academic qualifications, language competency, satisfactory experience, good character and knowledge of professional law and ethics. Academic qualifications may be met by graduation from an accredited engineering program or by successfully completing examinations based on APEGGA's Software Engineering Syllabus. Experience qualifications should be compatible with the academic qualifications. For more information, please contact APEGGA's Registration department at 780-426-3990 or 1-800-661-7020 or the APEGGA website at www.apegga.org