Debate Arises Over Degrees Of 1,400 Engineers

There have been angry reactions from the parliamentarians and several government agencies to a statement issued yesterday by Engr Faisal Duwaih Alatel, Chairman of Kuwait Society of Engineers (KSE) that there are more than 1,400 engineers working in Kuwait whose certificates have not been accredited by the concerned authorities because they are not recognized at the international level, reports Al-Rai daily.

Most ministries and government agencies have pointed a finger at the Ministry of Higher Education which was responsible for the accreditation of certificates – certificates of Kuwaitis and expatriates.

However, the tone of the MPs was a bit harsh. They have demanded that the Ministry of Higher Education set up an impartial committee to examine the certificates, including the files of engineers.

A source at the Civil Service Commission (CSC) said the CSC is in constant touch with the Follow-up Committee which was formed to look into the issue of false or forged certificates. The committee is chaired by the Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Dr Hamed Al-Azmi.

The committee has members from other government agencies besides the Higher Education such as the Manpower and Government Restructuring Program.  All those who are found guilty will be referred to the judiciary.

Official sources in the Ministry of Public Works confirmed the continuous coordination with the Kuwait Society of Engineers on the issue of certificates of expatriate engineers, especially after the implementation of the decision not to renew their residence permit unless their certificates are accredited by the society.

The sources expressed surprise at the statement of Eng Alatel that the KSE is under pressure to approve engineers who hold no certificates or whose certificates are false.

The sources denied the statement saying no government agency can pressurize a non-profit organization to recognize engineers who are not qualified. The sources said the Ministry of Public Works addressed the KSE two weeks ago to approve the certificates of 70 engineers working on the Kuwait Airport project of that their residence permits could be renewed and this is clear evidence that there is coordination between the ministry and the society.

 

SOURCE : ARABTIMES

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