The country of Kuwait has formulated a new regulation regarding the equivalency of engineering qualifications, which shall be required for the acquisition or renewal of work permits for professional engineers. This reform is embodied in a circular released by the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) Director Marzouq Al Otaibi, to streamline the standards of professionals and keep compliance in the private sector.
Also Read: IHC directs FBR to resolve Rs1.37B PTA tax deduction case
Previously, applicants must apply for recognition of their engineering qualification into PAM’s electronic portals before being accepted for a work permit. The work permit will apply to all graduates earning an accredited degree, from a Kuwaiti institution, in engineering, engineering sciences, or architecture or those having credible and equated qualifications from the Kuwaiti Ministry of Higher Education. All registered engineers in the PAM system, effective September 8, 2024, may renew or transfer their permits with their profession conditionally registered until the complete qualification is acquired.
Otherwise, failure to meet the evaluation process within the specified period may subject the engineer to reclassification as a non-engineering professional. Both the employer and engineer are it for compliance with the regulation1. According to PAM, such measures are geared towards augmenting professional integrity and consistent standards for engineering qualifications in the private sector of Kuwait.