Volume 6, Number 1 • Spring 2004
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The Creation of the American Academy of Water Resources Engineers Moves Towards RealityThe Task Committee on Certification for Water Resources Engineers hopes to develop the required paperwork and obtain the necessary approvals to make the American Academy of Water Resource Engineers (AAWRE) a fully operational entity by September 1, 2004.The Task Committee began work last September under the auspices of EWRI. This initiative was a direct outgrowth of the report prepared by ASCE's Task Committee on Civil Engineering Specialty Certification, issued March 2003. The charge of the Task Committee on Specialty Certification was to first develop a model structure for an Academy within ASCE, and secondly to develop a business plan, budget, and schedule for implementation. Following the recommendations of the Task Committee on Specialty Certification, a new, separately incorporated entity within ASCE was created and named Civil Engineering Certification Board, Inc (CESB). The Board will have the Institutes participate in the certification process, primarily through development of the "body of knowledge." The approval of ASCE policy 465 and work of the ASCE Task Committee on the Academic Prerequisites for Professional Practice were both precursors of the current initiatives. ASCE Policy Statement 465, unanimously adopted by the Board of Direction in 2001, states that ASCE "...supports the concept of the Master's degree or equivalent as a prerequisite for licensure and the practice of civil engineering at the professional level." EWRI agreed to be the first Institute to work with CECB to develop a specialty certification program. The Task Committee on Certification of Water Resources Engineers, under the chairmanship of Michael Ports, met twice and will meet again in Salt Lake City, Utah, during the upcoming EWRI World Congress. The Task Committee has named the new body the American Academy of Water Resources Engineers, approved AAWRE objectives, and is nearing an agreement on recommended bylaws, entrance interview requirements, annual membership renewal procedures, etc. The Task Committee has focused much of their attention on integrating ethical conduct and life long learning into the development of AAWRE and the admission and continued enrollment of members. The task committee is defining "water resources engineering" as the professional discipline for the stewardship and sustainable use of the world's water and related resources that develops and applies scientific and engineering principals to plan, design, construct, manage, operate, and maintain infrastructure and programs. Look for more information at the 2004 EWRI World Congress in Salt Lake City. |