The Institute was founded in May 1944 as the Society of Instrument Technology (SIT) to cater for the growing body of instrument technologists whose interests transcended the fields of existing institutions.

Sir George Thomson

The late Sir George Thomson FRS was the Society’s first President. His contribution to the Institute and the profession is commemorated annually by the Institute’s Thomson Lecture, given by people of eminence.

Growth

During the late 1940s and the 1950s the Society progressed steadily. By 1960 the number of members had grown to over 2,500 and Local Sections had been formed in the main industrial areas in the United Kingdom.

Control

Control engineering, as opposed to measurement, began to be recognised as a distinct discipline only after the establishment of SIT. The evidence of the relationship between the two topics stimulated the formation of a Control Section of SIT and the large and enthusiastic participation in that sections first meeting more than vindicated its creation.

Data Handling and Process Control

In 1957 the importance of the computer was acknowledged through the formation of a Data Processing Section, created to serve the large and growing interest in data handling related to process control, a combination outside the scope of any other Learned Society.

By 1965 there were 4 specialised sections concerned with Measurement Technology, Control Technology, Systems Engineering and Automation. At that time it was realised that in a field developing as rapidly as that of measurement and control, a more flexible structure would be required to deal with the steadily advancing and changing interests of the Institute’s members. Consequently a National Technical Committee was set up overseeing the work of panels which at present include:

• - Measurement Science and Technology Panel
• - Systems and Control Technology Panel
• - Systems and Management Panel
• - Standards Policy Panel

Since 1986 the work of the National Technical Committee has been taken-over by a Learned Society Board, to which, in addition to the above technical Panels, the publications Executive Committees report.

Members who have particular interests in specialised fields are encouraged to set up new panels within the framework of the Institute through which their work can be advanced at a professional level.

Qualifications

The Institute influences educational courses from the broadly based Full Technological Certificate of the City and Guilds of London Institute, through BTEC and SCOTVEC certificates and diplomas to first degrees as the Engineering Council authorised course accreditation institution. Standards of courses are maintained by the Education, Training and Qualification Committee and its subsidiary Accreditation Committee, which is explained in more detail in a later section of this report.

Chartered Status for Individuals

Corporate Members of the Institute, those with the grade of Fellow or Member, all bear the title Chartered Measurement and Control Technologist. In addition, those with appropriate engineering qualifications can be registered by the Institute on the Chartered Engineer section of the register maintained by the Engineering Council, thus becoming Chartered Engineers (CEng). Registration as a European Engineer (EurIng) with FEANI (European Federation of National Associations of Engineers – see Section on Acronyms) is also possible for CEng members of the Institute, through the Institute.

Incorporated Engineers and Engineering Technicians

Licentiates and Associates of the Institute may also be entered on the Engineering Council register by the Institute as Incorporated Engineer and Engineering Technician respectively, IEng and Eng Tech. There is additionally a route for IENG. registration with FEANI.

Royal Charter

In 1975 the Institute was confirmed as a representative body of the United Kingdom for those engaged in the science and practice of measurement and control technology through the granting, by the Privy Council, of a Royal Charter of incorporation.