Standing Committees

The Institute operates through a number of Standing Committees, the Chairmen being appointed by Council with respective Chairman appointing the Committee subject to ratification by the Council. The terms of reference for the Committees is as follows:

Executive and Finance

This Committee has the responsibility for managing the affairs of the Institute in accordance with Council policy. It considers all aspects of the policy of the Institute and all matters related to the Institute's financial position and makes recommendations to Council. It also recommends to Council the appointment of representatives for the various bodies to which the Institute subscribes.

Education & Training Committee

The Committee shall manage the Education, Training and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) affairs of the Institute in accordance with Council policy and with National Standards. In particular, the Committee shall be responsible for the provision of courses for the Institute examinations, fostering CPD within the Institute and advising the membership on matters relating to their continuous professional development.The members shall retire annually and shall be eligible for re-appointment. The Chairman of the Examination Board, or his deputy, and one other nominee member of the Board shall be members of the Education and Training Committee. The Chairman of the Education and Training Committee may set up and chair, as appropriate, a “Consultative Group” to enable the Institute to liaise with a wider constituency of similar minded bodies in the field of surface engineering. The Group will normally meet twice a year. Membership will be by invitation of the Chairman.
Course and modules are available for study leading to the award of the Foundation Certificate*, Technician Certificate*, Advanced Technician Certificate and where applicable professional qualifications and insignia e.g. AssocIMF, Tech IMF, LIMF. *available by tutored and Distance Learning routes, as well as in-house at companies using approved tutors.

Events

The Committee shall administer, manage and organise national events (conferences, symposia etc) in accordance with Council policy and comprises members with the necessary experience related to the specific event being organised. The arrangement for the Annual General Meeting shall also be an Event’s Committee responsibility.

Examination & Qualification Board

The Examination and Qualification Board shall be responsible to Council for the management and organisation of examinations, the recommendation of pass list following examinations and thus upholding the standard and credibility of the Institute’s qualifications.
The Board will appoint examiners, invigilators and approve examination papers and the arrangement for the sitting of such examinations.
The Board shall manage the admission of non-professional members and the granting of the Institute’s insignia in accordance with Council Policy.
The Board will also become involved with managing applications for Engineering Council qualifications, as this relates to the activities of this Institute as a Professional Affiliate of the Engineering Council. Members of the Board shall be professional members of the Institute, shall retire annually but shall be eligible for nomination by the Chairman and ratification by the Council. Members of the Education and Training Committee other than those referred to previously will not be eligible for membership of the Board. Persons involved with the provision of courses e.g. examiners, tutors etc will not be eligible for membership of the Board. However, at the discretion of the chairman, the Board may liaise with such persons.

Publications

One of the major aims and objects of the Institute is the dissemination of technical information for metal finishing, surface treatment and surface engineering and the provision of a publication outlet for research workers in the field. The Institute’s official publication, Transactions, is designed to fulfil this role and holds a pre-eminent position as a source of technical information world-wide. Transactions is also a permanent record of Institute activities containing a bulletin section with reports from Branches and Groups and other items of interest to the membership. In addition to the Transactions, the Institute produces a separate ‘newsletter’ publication entitled ‘IMFormation’ which reports on items of general interest to the membership and specifically on matters relating to health & safety, environmental, legislation and standards. The Committee is responsible for the publications of reports from Standing, Branch and Group and booklets on specific topics as they arise. The Committee’s role is to maintain at all times the high standards achieved in Transactions and IMFormation, and to ensure the effective spread of knowledge. The Committee also oversees the information published on the Institute’s website. The Committee comprises a Chairman, Hon. Editor and Managing Editor plus a minimum of four other members. The Chairman is elected for four years and the position of Hon. Editor and Managing Editor confirmed each year by the Council of the Institute. An Editorial Board, responsible to the Hon. Editor for the quality of all papers submitted for publications in Transactions, is under review. The aim of The Committee, via the Managing Editor, is to promote Transactions world-wide and also to attract quality contributions from world-wide sources for inclusion in the Institute’s journal.

Science Committee

Focusing on the science of surface engineering, the Committee will seek to facilitate improvements in the industry through the managed involvements of organisations and businesses in development and research activities.