Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh established in dhaka in 1948 as an association of engineers. The organisation, initially known as the Institute of Engineers, Pakistan, started functioning with the motto 'Build Better World'. One of its first projects was the Dhaka Town Planning Scheme. Between 1949 and 1952, there were several abortive moves to shift its headquarters from Dhaka to Karachi. It was given the present name of Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in 1972. The aims and objects of the institution include upgrading knowledge of science and technology and accelerating its application by people of the profession, increasing the skills and efficiency of engineers, providing assistance in monitoring delivery of quality professional services, and collecting and disseminating information on modern technology. The activities of the institution's headquarters in Dhaka, its 14 regional centres and 22 sub-centres within the country, as well as its 5 overseas chapters include organising training courses, research, seminars and conventions. The Institution publishes journals, periodicals and newsletters.

One of its important functions is to conduct a specially designed engineering course, upon completion of which trainees can appear at Associate Membership Examinations. The certificate awarded to those who pass this examination is recognised by public and private sector organisations in the country as equivalent to a formal degree in engineering. The Institution has two kinds of membership-corporate and non-corporate. Corporate members are divided into fellows and general members. The categories of non-corporate members are honorary members, associate members, students, affiliates and subscribers. In 1999, the Institution had a total membership of around 10,000. IEB is represented in a large number of national bodies constituted by the government of Bangladesh. It is also a member of international organisations of engineers such as the Commonwealth Engineers Council, World Federation of Engineering Organisations, Federation of Engineering Institutes of South and Central Asia, and Federation of Engineering Institutions of Islamic Countries. [S M Mahfuzur Rahman]