IChemE announce first European Affiliate Society

The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) has signed a formal agreement, recognising the Official College of Chemical Engineers of the Valencian Community (COIQCV) as its first European Affiliate Society. The agreement will help both organisations to strengthen their international relationships, with a common ambition to advance chemical engineering.

The Official College of Chemical Engineers of the Valencian Community (Colegio Oficial de Ingenieros Químicos de la Comunitat Valenciana - COIQCV), one of Spain’s leading professional bodies for chemical engineers, has been accepted as IChemE’s first European Affiliate Society. 

IChemE’s director of qualifications and international development, Neil Atkinson, who has played a central role in building the relationship between IChemE and the Spanish society, travelled to Valencia to sign the agreement with COIQCV president, Vicente B Vert Belenguer on 19 September.

The Affiliate Society initiative was launched in June 2015. This move was driven by IChemE president, Dr Andrew Jamieson, ambitions to strengthen relationships with chemical engineering communities around the world. IChemE recognised its first ever Affiliate Society, NSChE, in August, with COIQCV following in quick succession.

Affiliate Society status offers benefits for both parties. It provides public recognition and development opportunities for the members of the affiliate organisation, whilst deepening international links and brand recognition for IChemE as the preeminent qualifying professional engineering institution for chemical engineers.

Neil Atkinson expressed his satisfaction at COIQCV’s commitment to the partnership, and said, “IChemE has seen a step change in membership growth over the last decade, much of it outside of the UK. Our new Affiliate Society programme is an attractive mechanism that will build supportive, strong local relationships with existing chemical engineering bodies – to the benefit of chemical engineers worldwide. We are greatly interested in creating true partnerships that will support the skills pipeline, and build an active professional community; in this instance in Spain.”

COIQCV’s president, Vicente B Vert Belenguer said, “COIQCV is approaching its 10th birthday, so this is an exciting development for us. We are committed to securing better recognition for chemical engineers and promoting ethical professional practice. Our partnership with IChemE will help us to build greater respect for chemical engineers in Spain, at a level that we feel our members should be within. This partnership will be the starting point for a new Spanish framework, helping to bring together all suitably qualified professionals of chemical engineering.

Under the new Affiliate Society agreement, some 500 members are to shortly benefit from joint membership of both organisations, ensuring on-going professional development and dedicated support for those involved.