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URCA’s Employee receives Prestigious Engineering Certification
By Mavis Johnson-Collie
Sep 4, 2014 - 6:11:23 PM

Waldon, Case Officer URCA being congratulated by Kathleen Riviere Smith, CEO, URCA (left) and Georgia Simms-Morton, Human Resources Manager, URCA.

Waldon Russell, a Case Officer and Electrical Engineer with the Utility Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA), is now a registrant of the prestigious Engineering Council (EC) of London. The EC confers upon individuals who first, qualify for membership in the Institute of Engineering and Technology (MIET), the professional title of “Chartered Engineer (CEng)”, while the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) grants the right to use the post nominal MIET.  

The path to registration requires a Post Graduate Engineering Qualification equivalent to The Master of Engineering (M.Eng) in conjunction with eight to ten years of intensive continuing professional development and relevant work experience at a senior level.

According to the IET, the professional designation is an important milestone for any engineer.  It is evidence that one has demonstrated a commitment to stringent professional standards and to developing and enhancing competence in the profession.  As the country’s regulator for the Electronic Communications Sector, it is imperative that URCA staff members are highly motivated, qualified and competent in the latest technology in the sector.

Waldon’s most significant accomplishment to date is the design, construction and management of a 2million dollar National Spectrum Management Project.  This included the design and building of towers strategically located in the country, design and construction of a multipurpose monitoring vehicle and the design and building of several computer systems to facilitate URCA’s spectrum monitoring obligations.  

Professional registration with the Engineering Council is based on:  demonstration of theoretical knowledge to solve problems in new technologies and develop new analytical techniques; successful application of the knowledge to deliver innovative products and services and/or take technical responsibility for complex engineering systems;  accountability for project, finance and personnel management and managing trade-offs between technical and socio-economic factors.  They must also have the skill sets necessary to develop other technical staff and effective interpersonal skills in communicating technical matters.

The Chartered Engineer (CEng) designation, which is recognized internationally, affords Mr. Russell the rights and privilege to use the CEng designation and logo.  URCA advises that Waldon is also registered with The Bahamas Professional Engineering Board as a Professional Engineer (PE).

What is also commendable, is that while qualifying for the CEng qualification, Russell simultaneously completed a Master of Business Administration Degree with a concentration in Finance. He has been a valuable member of URCA’s team for 10 years.  Since its establishment, URCA and its predecessor the Public Utilities commission (PUC) has always encouraged and supported the development and advancement of its staff.

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