Higher Education in Flanders

In Belgium the education programme 'Master after Master in Welding Engineering' offered on campus De Nayer, is accredited by the Belgian Society for Welding (BVL), the ANB (Autorising National Body) of the IIW. This is the only single year programme in Belgium

This education offers a profound knowledge and skills concerning welding technology, including the scientific basis and the derived techniques, in such a way that the graduated students can apply the knowledge for solving problems and designing new products and processes. There is deliberately choosen for a programme that meets the requirements of the International Institute of Welding (IIW), in order to qualify the graduates for certification as 'International Welding Engineer'. The programme follows the IIW Guideline 'IAB-252-07' "Personel with Responsability for Welding Coordination". The latter describes the "Minimum Requirements for the Education, Examination and Qualification" of an authorised welding engineer.
The master uses the professional title of welding engineer, When succeeded in an oral examination for a qualified jury of the IIW, the students obtain the title of International Welding Engineer, with worldwide recognition and guarantee for proven knowledge and competence in this specific area. 
Final competences:
* to control general theoretical and practical competences (knowledge, skills, attitude) necessary to solve a complex welding related problem. Judgement in a complex and uncertain context and being able to work in a multi-disciplinary team is a necessity.
* Being able to gain information in a systematic and structured way.
* Being able to think and act scientifically.
* Knowledge of research techniques and methodologies in order to set up a welding related research project.
* Being able to communicate information both to specialists as to practitioners with a lower level of education.
* Knowledge of practical applications, production techniques and methods related to the discipline (profound technological developments and knowledge of the structure of the speciality).
* Having the attitude of lifelong learning.

Additional competences as mentioned in EN 719 that describe the tasks and responsibilities as well as the required educational level of an authorised welding engineer.

Welding engineers are appreciated for their specific knowledge in the field of welding technology, but also because of their profound knowledge of materials and metallurgy.
They are employed in various fields:
- research
- design
- production
- quality control
- technical-commercial functions
always in welding related sectors such as:
- civil construction
- construction of machinery
- petrochemistry
- production of rolling, floating and flying material
- control organisms
- off-shore
- oil and gas industry
- domestic apparatus
- training
- etc...