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Honorary Fellowship

That William Adams (a.k.a Will.i.am) was made an Honorary Fellow for his outstanding contributions to engineering is fantastic - it also intrigued me as to the process involved. Does anyone know?

And I also wondered why the process is not invoked more often to reflect the contribution of the many noteworthy individuals - for example people like Elon Musk whose contributions to engineering and technology are very visible and exceptionally impressive. Is there a nominations process?

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0 Roy Bowdler over 7 years ago

Mehmood,

As you may gather from other posts, my focus is around professional registration, rather than IET membership categories. I’m sure those who govern and manage membership would be open-minded to any constructive suggestion. It seems from my perspective that we are trying to make MIET sufficiently demanding to have value in itself, but also inclusive of educated and experienced professionals. I also hope that TMIET offers something distinctive and I haven’t personally picked up on any discontent about it, although I note that another major institution which used to be seen as rather “snooty” now makes registered Technicians “full members”.

In general, my view of all these type of issues is that; it is our collective duty to ensure that IET membership and where applicable professional registration via Engineering Council are positive and potentially career enhancing for all those who we seek to serve.

The extent to which controversial views are tolerated, has obviously been changed by the internet. Years ago anything uncomfortable would just be ignored or “closed down” by those who controlled communication. You might be fortunate to get a “humbly beseech” type letter published in a journal, probably alongside several “disgusted of Tunbridge Wells” type missives bemoaning, lack of status, calculation errors, misuse of apostrophes , some members not wearing tiers in the dining room, other inappropriate dress etc. As I see it you have every right to address controversial issues or criticise the institution, often including a dash of humour as you do. The IET has to be “big enough” to “take this on the chin”. However, this does create an obligation to respect others. At times I have myself been surprised about how tolerant of “free speech” the moderators of these forums have become.

If we put to one side personal “complaints” and grievances that inevitably arise, most critics have something to say because they care, each may have different experiences that colour their views , but they want things to be better. To quote a recent fierce critic’s comments to me “I don’t hate the IET, I’m just disappointed that it hasn’t become what I hoped for”.

Perhaps this is a “half-full v half-empty” argument? As I see it, bringing someone like Will.i.am into Honorary Fellowship , seems symbolic of many of our other efforts to modernise and I would see that as positive, but others might take a different view. It can be difficult in uncertain times to steer a forward course, but I don’t think that it is an option to retreat back into a seemingly safe but increasingly dated “establishment” mentality.
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0 Roy Bowdler over 7 years ago

Mehmood,

As you may gather from other posts, my focus is around professional registration, rather than IET membership categories. I’m sure those who govern and manage membership would be open-minded to any constructive suggestion. It seems from my perspective that we are trying to make MIET sufficiently demanding to have value in itself, but also inclusive of educated and experienced professionals. I also hope that TMIET offers something distinctive and I haven’t personally picked up on any discontent about it, although I note that another major institution which used to be seen as rather “snooty” now makes registered Technicians “full members”.

In general, my view of all these type of issues is that; it is our collective duty to ensure that IET membership and where applicable professional registration via Engineering Council are positive and potentially career enhancing for all those who we seek to serve.

The extent to which controversial views are tolerated, has obviously been changed by the internet. Years ago anything uncomfortable would just be ignored or “closed down” by those who controlled communication. You might be fortunate to get a “humbly beseech” type letter published in a journal, probably alongside several “disgusted of Tunbridge Wells” type missives bemoaning, lack of status, calculation errors, misuse of apostrophes , some members not wearing tiers in the dining room, other inappropriate dress etc. As I see it you have every right to address controversial issues or criticise the institution, often including a dash of humour as you do. The IET has to be “big enough” to “take this on the chin”. However, this does create an obligation to respect others. At times I have myself been surprised about how tolerant of “free speech” the moderators of these forums have become.

If we put to one side personal “complaints” and grievances that inevitably arise, most critics have something to say because they care, each may have different experiences that colour their views , but they want things to be better. To quote a recent fierce critic’s comments to me “I don’t hate the IET, I’m just disappointed that it hasn’t become what I hoped for”.

Perhaps this is a “half-full v half-empty” argument? As I see it, bringing someone like Will.i.am into Honorary Fellowship , seems symbolic of many of our other efforts to modernise and I would see that as positive, but others might take a different view. It can be difficult in uncertain times to steer a forward course, but I don’t think that it is an option to retreat back into a seemingly safe but increasingly dated “establishment” mentality.
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Honorary Fellowship

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