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Post by ashiffafreen on Jan 2, 2012 13:06:24 GMT
Hi all I am all set to reach Aramco by first week of Feb 2012. Today (Jan 2012) i heard a news from my friend in KSA that for issue and renew of iqama all engineers should undergo some exam which will related to our professional qualification!. I was told that the exam was meant to prove the quality of Engineer. Firstly, Is it true?? If so what is the criteria for pass/fail? Is it written exam... just as our engineering exams? Anybody can share more information?  |
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Post by GroveWanderer on Jan 7, 2012 10:11:59 GMT
ashiffafreen, Are you sure it is an exam and not just a requirement to be registered? Last year in August 2010, it was announced that all expat engineers would have to have to be registered with the Saudi Council of Engineers for the issuance and renewal of their iqamas (resident permits). The full details of the announcement are available on the link below. arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article113870.ece?comments=all |
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Post by vpainter on Jan 7, 2012 22:28:39 GMT
It was in the Arab News (local newspaper)this week, that there is an exam and it would be implemented now along with the registering.
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Uman
Senior Member
Posts: 161
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Post by Uman on Jan 10, 2012 10:09:47 GMT
Just for Engineering ?
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Post by vpainter on Jan 11, 2012 22:21:51 GMT
yes, that is correct.
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Post by Colts18 on Jan 12, 2012 0:57:41 GMT
hmm...didn't see anything in the article about testing. Registering and verification of qualifications is generally good practice, although aramco already does this with their background checks and requires proof of a professional engineering license (for those from the US/Can) if required for the position.
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Post by vpainter on Jan 13, 2012 19:52:18 GMT
Here's the article I read:
Expat engineers need to pass SCE exam
MADINA – Expatriate engineers need to pass the Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) professional accreditation examination before they can renew their iqamas, it has been ordered by Crown Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior.
This is according to Dr. Saleh Al-Muqrin, Chairman of the Scientific Committee and Director of Training and Conferences at the SCE, reported Al-Madina Arabic daily.
“The council has started implementing the Crown Prince’s orders by coordinating plans with the relevant authorities. It will set up a database for accredited engineers; and contact universities and colleges to ensure diplomas and degrees are not false.”
Engineers will be classified according to their qualifications, academic degrees and experience. Classifications include engineer, associate engineer, professional engineer and consultant engineer, Al-Muqrin added. Each classification has “its own requirements and responsibility”.
To be considered an engineer, the applicant should have a degree from an accredited university or insute, Al-Muqrin explained, adding that the responsibilities of this rank include providing technical help to work teams and participating in professional development programs.
To be an associate engineer, an applicant should have an academic degree, four years of experience and 70 qualification points, he said. “A professional engineer rank requires nine years’ experience and 100 qualification points, while that of a consultant engineer requires 19 years’ experience and 250 qualification points.” Each rank requires recommendations, tests and interviews, Al-Muqrin added. — SG __
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Post by azraeil on Jan 14, 2012 6:58:18 GMT
Unless there is a memo from Aramco, I wouldn't be too worried about it.
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Post by rafferty on Dec 14, 2013 8:16:21 GMT
Start worrying.
As of last week (Dec 2013) limited numbers of engineering employees received a mail stating that their iqama won't be renewed unless they verify their engineering credentials via registration with the Saudi council of engineers (SCE).If you’re an engineer, you can expect registration within 4 weeks. If your undergrad degree (forget masters and any post grad qualification - they only look at undergrad) is not 4 years and/or does not have the word "Engineer" somewhere, you'd be wanting to go through your transcript to see if it offers any support to your case. Eg: Indian engineers commonly have "Technology" Degrees.
Having said that, the SCE is a third class amateurish organisation who have no clear guidelines or rulings to assist. At least not in English. In fact, their English registration site is an embarrassment. Full of spelling mistakes, and little guidance. Clearly indicated by the fact that the ons for "Help" and "Complaints" don't link to anything. The 9200 help line is a waste of time. The people there have limited English and no visibility of your assessment. Get used to “Insh, Buhkra”.
Particularly galling is the fact that they never answer their Dammam number (office located right on Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Road, south of Abdullah Fuad near the Manarat Sharqia of Dammam Schools, just NW of a drive-in ATM machine (SABB?) or type <26.405652, 50.11276> into google), forcing you have to go in person to the office (burden for all concerned).The whole show is run out of an old house by 5 guys with a fax.
It’s just a money making exercise, and ARAMCO's procedures are far more stringent. Considering the SCE has also linked the registration to the ability to bring in your family, makes them particularly reviled.
TBC...
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Post by rafferty on Dec 14, 2013 8:20:24 GMT
Which brings us to the next point - what happens if your iqama and job le say engineer, but your registration is not successful. Perhaps you were hired on a Masters of Engineering, but have an Information ‘Technology’ degree. This is a failing on the part of ARAMCO. Entry into Saudi should be contingent on obtaining registration BEFORE entering the country, to save everyone a lot of irritation and hassle.
Earlier, you would have been up a certain creek, and unable to submit a visa application to bring your family.But a solution has been worked out by changing your job le which allows you to change the iqama (same rights, pay, etc). Keep in mind that only certain professions can bring in families. It seems to be more pay (code) based than strictly le, which is a good guide as the Saudi government is not inclined to publish what les are acceptable.
Good luck.
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Post by Nadish on Dec 14, 2013 15:18:28 GMT
This may be out of the context, however still mine query someway related. We have been told by recruiter that Degree was not attested by Saudi cultural attache as University provides distance education degrees and wanted my husband to take technician visa which doesn't need degree attestation and then bring family on visit visa. We are fine with taking technician visa , but wanted to check if there will be any issues (with iqama etc) or if someone has more information , please share. thanks, nadish@outlook.com |
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Post by azraeil on Dec 14, 2013 18:05:15 GMT
Looks like the memo from Aramco is out. My Division head was going door to door checking our Iqama to make sure that we do not have Mohandas (Engineer) in our Iqamas. Luckily for me I'm not a Mohandas.
Several Reservoir Engineer are now stuck as they cannot renew their Iqama because they have not registered with SCE. Some have registered and have waited close to 60 days waiting for the confirmation number (which they have not received). The entire cost for registration will be SAR500 for the confirmation number and another SAR750 once you receive the confirmation number (supposedly you will get reimbursement from Aramco). I would recommend those who has Mohandas in their Iqama to start registering even if the Iqama validity still have a long way to go.
One of the few times I don't envy my engineer friends.
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cgyguy
Advanced Member
Posts: 90
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Post by cgyguy on Dec 14, 2013 22:11:39 GMT
I wonder how this new rule will affect new recruits (Engineers) close to the process of moving to KSA? Furthermore, what about if one already has other Provinces/countries Engineering accreditation or licence to practice, although, I guess not much, different country different rules.
Can anyone at Aramco please ask HR?
Thanks
Cgyguy
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Post by GroveWanderer on Jan 15, 2014 7:56:34 GMT
We had a couple of new engineers join our Dept this week. They were able to get through the hiring process OK but they can't get an iqama until they register with SCE, a process which they have been told may take up to 3 months.
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Post by Hadia on Jan 16, 2014 3:00:22 GMT
Pertaining to this topic, in today's "Arab News." "The Saudi Council of Engineers announced Wednesday that it had detected more than 30,000 foreign engineers with fake degrees and urged public and private firms to only employ engineers registered with the organization. “We have so far seized more than 30,000 fake engineering degrees,” said Hamad Al-Shaqawi, its president. The council, which regulates the Kingdom’s engineering sector, also instructed authorities not to accept any engineering designs or jobs not drafted by its accredited engineers..." MORE www.arabnews.com/news/510011 |
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