By Ebunoluwa Sessou

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has joined as member organization of the International Federation of Engineering Societies for the Belt and Road (IFES).

This agreement was reached during the 2024 International Engineering Congress in Taizhou, China, and was formalized at a sideline meeting where the President of NSE, Engr. Margaret Oguntala, FNSE, was represented by the Vice President, Engr. Ademola Agoro, FNSE.

Agoro disclosed that, the partnership was in the rebirthing of NSE for growth. According to him, “The IFES initiative, supported by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), Tianjin University, the Institution of Engineers Malaysia, the Association of Consulting Engineers in Serbia, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, and Colegio de Ingenieros Peru, aims to foster international collaboration and development within the engineering profession.

Chairman of the Abeokuta Branch of NSE. Engr. Olumayowa Idowu, FNSE, in a dialogue alongside 14 other engineering leaders from diverse countries spoke on engineering career development.

The discussion focused on key topics such as capacity building, setting international standards for engineering certification to enhance global recognition, and integrating AI competencies into professional engineering assessments.

The Congress began with an impactful opening ceremony featuring addresses by international engineering and UNESCO leaders, along with Ke Jixin, Vice Governor of Zhejiang Province, who welcomed engineering representatives from around the world. A highlight was the signing of four significant Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with international organizations, including the A3P Accord, which covers Africa, the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific.

The 2024 International Engineering Congress has established a platform for global partnerships and advanced dialogue, providing engineers with a framework to address the evolving challenges and opportunities in engineering education, certification, and career advancement on a global scale.