Link with Science Council considered

Membership is open to all in the healthcare industry including those in manufacturing, research and development, academia and the independent care sector. As is well known, the Institute has had a strong working relationship with the Engineering Council UK for a number of years. IHEEM is not only a Licensed Member of the ECUK, licensed to register engineers at all three levels (Chartered Engineer, Incorporated Engineer and Engineering Technician) but is also extremely active in committees and other working groups that support the engineering profession. IHEEM is now building on this successful activity by looking at the possibility of forming a link with The Science Council. Similar to the Engineering Council UK in its function, The Science Council is an independent body uniting all the key professional institutes and learned societies across the breadth of science and mathematics in the UK. With increasing focus on research in interdisciplinary areas it is vital for scientists to have professional recognition that is applicable across a range of scientific disciplines. The Science Council’s purpose is to provide a collective voice for science and to maintain standards for scientists across the disciplines. In October 2003, The Science Council received its Royal Charter, and the designation Chartered Scientist was added to the now familiar list of chartered professionals. The Chartered Scientist designation ensures high and improving standards across all scientific disciplines – it reflects best practice in science and is set at a benchmark level throughout the science professions. To register a CSci the benchmark academic qualification is a Masters Degree. CSci will encompass all high calibre scientists in the practice, application and teaching of science, recognising the increasing focus on interdisciplinarity for the future of science, engineering and technology and it will provide employers with additional assurance of the quality of their scientific workforce. In becoming a Licensed Member of The Science Council, IHEEM would have to provide substantial evidence demonstrating that its qualifying regulations and procedures meet the high standards set by The Science Council. However, having successfully gained a new five-year licence from the Engineering Council UK following a robust and very thorough audit, IHEEM has set up a working group to examine the feasibilty of forming a link with The Science Council. It will be a long process but extremely worthwhile. IHEEM would be the relevant professional body for microbiologists, clinical scientists and doctors, medical/clinical engineering and other science professionals who work within the health sector and who, up to now, may not have felt they had a home within this specialised Institute. The opportunity for these professionals to gain Chartered recognition through this Institute will benefit all those concerned with science as a profession, and its application. Whether or not you personally would like to register as a CSci, please support this initiative and return the questionnaire, inserted into this issue.