The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) originated from United Kingdom but boast an international reputation, with a significant number of members working as engineers at different continents.
The international members and committees are divided into various regions of which The Malta Group of Profession Engineering Institutions (MGPEI), the official representative for IMechE in Malta, forms part of the European region.
Prof. Ing. Duncan Camilleri is the designated IMechE country representative.
Between 25 and 28 January 2024, Malta hosted the different European committees and were also greeted by an official visit from the President of the IMechE, Mr Giles Harthill CEng FIMechE.
The IMechE President and delegates visited the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Malta. A meeting was set with the Dean and Head of Departments of the Faculty of Engineering, delving into a discussion on the importance of IMechE degree accreditation and IMechE membership for students and alumni during the various stages of their professional life.
The University of Malta, Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate course programme has been accredited by IMechE since 2015 and continues to satisfy and meet the requirements set-forth by the Engineering Council UK. The course is also recognised by the EUR-ACE programme and as such making it the only mechanical engineering course offered in the local arena to be recognised internationally. The visit ended with a tour of the new Department of Materials and Metallurgy Engineering Labs.
The following day, a roundtable meeting was organised between the IMechE president, country chairs and key stakeholders of the engineering profession in Malta. The meeting was held at the Valletta Campus in the presence of rector Prof. Alfred J. Vella together representatives of the Ministry, the Opposition, Inġiniera Board, Chamber of Engineers, MGPEI, Faculty of Engineering, MCAST and Engineers Europe.
The meeting gave insights on the history, work, and strategy of the different institutions with an open mind-set for possible future collaboration.
The visit in Malta wrapped up with the IMechE Speak Out For Engineering (SOfE) European Region Final. Out of seven contestants, Mr Yannic Lorenz (Germany) ranked in 1st place, Mr Biruk Demissie (Italy) finished in 2nd place while Mr Aiden Azzopardi (Malta) placed third.
Mr Aiden Azzopardi is a postgraduate student following a MSc by research at the Faculty of Engineering and presented his work done on the UM Racing team. The team secured 3rd overall place in the IMechE Formula Student competition. The project presentations were all well prepared and delivered brilliantly.