Iron Ring
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 Obligation (Iron Ring) Ceremony
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.
Winter 2024 Ceremony
To be eligible to register, you must be an undergraduate engineering student who has satisfied all of your degree requirements and be in acceptable standing. Students who have courses remaining to be completed in Summer 2024 are not eligible.
The date and time of the ceremony is yet to be determined. Tentative date is April 6th. Attendees are able to bring their mentor to the ceremony to place the ring on their finger. Mentors must have attended an iron ring ceremony, have a minimum of 4 years of work experience beyond the time they took the oath, and wear their ring during the ceremony.
Register here
Registration deadline: February 2nd, 2024 (Late registrations will not be accepted)
Link to purchase Iron Ring tickets for the ceremony, cocktail, and after party: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/9ada74cc-c47b-43f8-a2bd-d435dda51b1f
Registration Process
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.
- Students will receive an email notifying them that they are eligible to register online. There will also be an announcement in the ECA newsletter. Once the registration deadline has passed, it is no longer possible to register for that ceremony.
- After registration, the ECA will send the list of registered students to the Dean’s Office for eligibility confirmation. The ECA will then receive the final list of students who are allowed to attend the ceremony.
NOTE: The ECA does not control which students qualify for the Iron Ring ceremony. If a student does not receive permission to attend the ceremony, they must communicate directly with the Dean’s Office.
- After registration, the ECA will send the list of registered students to the Dean’s Office for eligibility confirmation. The ECA will then receive the final list of students who are allowed to attend the ceremony.
- After registration closes, students will be made aware of the ring fitting schedule. The ring is fitted for their pinky finger on the hand they write with. The ECA office will be open for ring sizing. Only students with tickets will be able to give their ring sizing. There will be no mentors or guests present during the ceremony. There will be a cocktail after the ceremony where guests can attend, details to come regarding ticket sales.
**NOTE: Registration for the Iron Ring ceremony is different from applying for graduation via MyConcordia portal. If you have applied for graduation, this does not guarantee that you have applied for the Iron Ring ceremony.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Please note that ironring@ecaconcordia.ca and ironring@concordia.ca are two different email accounts, one is managed by the university and the other is managed by the ECA. Since we are receiving a high number of emails during the Iron Ring season, please wait at least 5 business days to receive a response.
Prior to COVID 19, only graduating students as well as their mentor (Obligated Engineers with an iron ring and four years of industry experience) were allowed to attend the Ceremony. Now, Guests are allowed for the ceremony on a first come first served basis. (Guests need to buy separate tickets for the cocktail and 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.
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@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 mentors are able to view the ceremony. 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.