Namibia Engineering Professions Association (EPA)
About EPA Namibia
By 1978, the forthcoming independence of South West Africa / Namibia from the South African colonial regime became a strong prospect. With a view to the regulation of the engineering profession in accordance with the laws of an independent Namibia, engineers established EPA to ensure both a continuing high degree of professional competence in the engineering profession and the protection of the interests of the public.
Towards this end, EPA was instrumental in the promulgation of the Engineering Profession Act, 1986 (Act 18 of 1986). After Independence, the Act was subsequently amended by the Engineering Profession Amendment Act, 1991 (Act 25 of 1991). The Act, as amended, provides for the Engineering Council of Namibia to register members of the engineering profession in the categories of professional engineer, engineer in training, incorporated engineer, incorporated engineer in training, engineering technician and engineering technician in training, in the various engineering disciplines.
EPA is governed by a constitution providing for corporate members with voting rights and non-corporate members without voting rights – the latter encompassing associates, retired members and students. Any engineer, incorporated engineer or engineering technician who is registered with the Engineering Council of Namibia is eligible for corporate membership. The grade of associate member exists for foreign members, graduate members and persons closely involved with the engineering profession who do not qualify for corporate membership.
The constitution of the EPA allows it to be organised, depending on members’ demand, into four divisions: one each for civil, electrical and mechanical engineers, and one for Incorporated Engineers and Technicians. Each division may have its own committee and serve the more specific interests of members of each division.
A council is elected annually by the corporate members of EPA. Office bearers normally serve for two years to ensure a strong continuity.
After election, the newly elected EPA council takes office after the incumbent council has been relieved of office at an annual general meeting, which is held towards the end of each calendar year. Council meetings are normally scheduled monthly.
EPA Membership
Eligibility
Any engineer, incorporated engineer or engineering technician, who is registered with the Engineering Council of Namibia, is eligible for corporate membership.
An associate membership grade exists for foreign members, graduate members and persons closely involved with the engineering professions who don’t qualify for corporate membership.
Membership Grades
Corporate Membership:
Anyone who is registered with the Engineering Council of Namibia as a Professional Engineer, Incorporated Engineer, or Engineering Technician.
Associate Membership:
Anyone who is registered with the Engineering Council of Namibia as a Professional Engineer in training, or Incorporated Engineer in training, or Engineering Technician in training, or any graduate not registered with the Engineering Council of Namibia.
Also, persons who do not qualify for registration with the Engineering Council of Namibia, but who are involved in any other profession closely related or supportive to the engineering profession, and who are engaged in work supportive of the engineering profession, may be granted Associate membership.
Student Membership:
Anyone who is studying at any institution to become a Professional Engineer, Incorporated Engineer, or Engineering Technician, but who is not yet registrable as an Associate member.
Retired Membership:
Anyone who is a Corporate or Associate Member of not less than 55 years of age, who has satisfied the EPA Council that he or she has effectively ceased to practice the profession of engineering, or related profession eligible for Associate membership, and that his or her service to the profession has been such as in the opinion of the EPA Council justifies submission to the grade. An appropriately motivated application may be made to the EPA Council in writing.
Engineering Professions Association of Namibia (EPA) Scholarship Fund Trust
EPA Scholarship Fund Trust Introduction
The EPA Scholarship Fund Trust, originally established in 1997 under the name EPA Bursary Fund Trust, was founded as an umbrella trust, under which several scholarship funds sponsored by various donors may be managed by a Board of Trustees appointed by EPA and, where applicable, the sponsors of the scholarship funds concerned. The Trust was reconstituted on 27 March 2007 under a new Trust Deed and Board of Trustees.
The mission of the Trust is to provide financial assistance to deserving students wishing to study at a Namibian or South African university or other tertiary technical institution towards a recognised degree or diploma in engineering or an engineering related discipline.
Typically, a sponsor wishing to provide funds for this purpose would donate money to a Fund specifically set up under the Trust in accordance with the sponsor’s specific requirements. The appointed trustees would manage the sponsor’s Fund in accordance with an agreement concluded with the sponsor at the establishment of the Fund, with EPA administratively handling the budgeting, receipts, investments and disbursements of the Fund.
EPA Fund
This fund is sponsored by members of EPA, from a portion of fund management fees received by EPA for the management of other donors’ funds, as well as by public and institutional donors.
In 2007, the Fund has received generous support from the Government of Sweden, through its development agency, Sida. This has made it possible to award scholarships as from the academic year 2009.
At this stage and until further notice, the Fund will only provide scholarships for studies at a Namibian or South African university or technical collage whom has successfully passed their first year and been accepted for re-submission towards a National Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in engineering (e.g. B. Eng.), but not in technology (e.g. B. Tech.).
Scholarships are granted in the form of interest-free loans for one study year at a time, but scholarship recipients may re-apply for subsequent years, depending on academic merit.
How to Apply for EPA Scholarship in Namibia
Conditions apply, and specific conditions are:
1.Namibian citizenship
2.Compliance with specified minimum academic results
3.Financial need, and academic merit.
Further information and an application form may be downloaded from the link below.
Attached Document
Ohorongo Cement Scholarship Fund administered by EPA
In August 2015 EPA was appointed to administer the new Ohorongo Cement Trust Fund on behalf of Ohorongo Cement.
The Ohorongo scholarship scheme was established for the academic year 2016 and two individuals received scholarships from this fund both studying electrical engineering at the Namibia University of Science and Technology.
Membership Fees
Corporate:
- Entrance Fee – N$80
- Annual Membership Fee – N$400.00
Associate:
- Entrance Fee – N$40
- Annual Membership Fee – N$300.00
Retired:
- Entrance Fee – N$30
- Annual Membership Fee – N$200.00
Student:
- Entrance Fee – N$20
- Annual Membership Fee – N$100.00
Contact EPA
EPA Administrator and NAL Registrar: Mrs. Rica Blaauw
Tel: +264 61 223009
Fax: +264 886555493
Postal address: PO Box 21885, Windhoek, Namibia
Email: epa@africaonline.com.na
Website: https://www.engineers-namibia.org/