The Iron Ring is worn by most Canadian-trained engineers, as a reminder of the obligations and ethics associated with their profession. Since 1922, the ring has been presented to engineering graduates in a closed ceremony known as "The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer".
The ring symbolizes the pride which engineers have in their profession, while simultaneously reminding them of their humility. The ring serves as a reminder to the engineer and others of the engineer's obligation to live by a high standard of professional conduct. However, the ring is not a symbol of qualification as an engineer. Engineering qualifications are determined by provincial and territorial licensing bodies, such as the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec.
The ceremony is an entirely voluntary act on your part, and your attendance will have no effect on your academic or legal status as an engineer.
As it is a solemn occasion, semi-formal attire is required. Latecomers will not be admitted, you will have to wait until the next ceremony. Cameras and/or video cameras are not permitted during the ceremony.
When: The ceremony will take place on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 9:00AM (EST)
All students eligible for the event were sent an email. Students must registration by February 28th, 2021.
*NOTE: Due to COVID-19, the Corporation of the Seven Wardens has postponed all ceremonies and the date is dependent on their availability.
Eligible students for each ceremony will be sent an email with more information & registration instructions approximately 6-8 weeks before their respective ceremony. If you believe you are eligible for the ceremony but did not receive an email, please contact us at the beginning of the semester at: ironring@ecaconcordia.ca. Please note that late registrations cannot be accepted.
In general, the registration process is as described below. The timeline for each step varies from semester to semester. Eligible students will receive the deadlines via email during the semester for which they are eligible.
**NOTE: Registration for the Iron Ring ceremony is different from applying for graduation via MyConcordia portal. If you have applied for graduation does not guarantee that you have applied for the Iron Ringceremony.
We compiled a list of the questions we get about the iron ring and ceremony at least 30x per year, so if you have a question about Iron Ring, it will be answered here!
If your question is not answered below, you may contact the ECA team via ironring@ecaconcordia.ca
Prior to COVID 19, only graduating students as well as their mentor (Obligated Engineers with an iron ring and four years of industry experience) may attend the Ceremony. With the online ceremonies, only the students are able to be present. No guests or mentors are allowed to view the ceremony.
Prior to COVID-19, there was a cocktail for family members after the ceremony. Although it is in no way guaranteed, it happens that extra tickets are available once everyone had a chance to purchase their allotted 2 guest tickets. However, the best way to obtain more tickets is to ask around fellow graduating students to see if they need all their guest tickets.
Due to COVID-19, there is no cocktail as the ceremonies are done online. There are no guest permitted during the ceremony.
You are required by the Society of Seven Wardens to attend the ceremony if you want your Iron Ring.
Students who are allowed (eligible) to register for Iron Ring will receive an email. There will also be an announcement in the ECA newsletter reminding you to check for this message. It is imperative that you are registered for the newsletter to ensure you get all the details when they are released.
Students will receive an email notifying them that they are eligible to register. There will also be an announcement in the ECA newsletter. They must come to the ECA office to get their ring sized. Once their size is noted, the list of students who have sized their finger will be sent to the Dean's Office. The ECA will then receive the list of students who are allowed to register for the Iron Ring. The ECA does not control which students qualify for the Iron Ring ceremony. If a student does not receive permission to register from the school, they must communicate directly with the Dean's Office.
To replace a lost ring, please schedule an appointment via email at ironring@encs.concordia.ca. Please include your full name, date of ceremony and obligation certificate number with your request."
More information can be found on the Concordia Website, or directly with the Corporation of the Seven Wardens.
Students who lose their ring within the first three (3) months of receiving their rings will have to wait until three months after their ring ceremony to get it replaced.
If the ring is the wrong size, it can be replaced. When you receive your ring at the ceremony, you will also receive an envelope containing instructions in the case that your ring does not fit. Generally, replacement usually needs to occur within a month of the ceremony.
Students who graduate from other universities may be eligible to receive their iron ring. To see if you are eligible, you must apply to the Corporation of the Seven Wardens. More information can be found on their website.
You must be in your final semester to be eligible to attend the Iron Ring Ceremony. Thus, you cannot be registered for courses in the following semester.
Unfortunately, you will not be allowed to enter the ceremony if you are late. You will also not be allowed to take your ring, as you must attend the ceremony to receive your ring. Therefore, you must re-register for the next ceremony.
For in person ceremonies, you do not need to have a mentor to attend the ceremony. If you do not have a mentor, the Wardens from the Corporation of the Seven Wardens will be serving as your ring presenter.
For the online ceremonies, no mentor is required. You will receive your ring after the ceremony once your presence has been validated.
For in person ceremonies, your mentor will act as your ring presenter. They must have the following:
- attended an Iron Ring Ceremony (be an Obligated Engineer),
- a minimum of four (4) years of work experience beyond the time that they took the Oath, and
- they must wear their iron ring during the ceremony.
Students who wish to invite mentors must provide the following information at the time of registration.
No late submissions are accepted for Iron Ring. Once the registration period is over, Students will have to wait until the next offered ceremony.
Please note that you are able to attend other Iron Ring ceremonies at different schools. Please refer to the OIQ Iron Ring website for more information.