ICorr Participated in the 19th Middle East Corrosion Conference, Highlighted by the Signing of a Landmark MoU with MEA

ICorr Participated in the 19th Middle East Corrosion Conference, Highlighted by the Signing of a Landmark MoU with MEA

The Institute of Corrosion (ICorr) was honoured to participate in the 19th Middle East Corrosion Conference (MECC), held on 11-13 November 2025 in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, where ICorr President Dr Yunnan Gao attended as a VIP guest at the invitation of the Chairman of the Materials Engineering Association (MEA) of the Kingdom.

Widely recognised as one of the region’s premier corrosion and materials engineering events, the biennial MECC event brought together industry leaders, technical experts, academics, and innovators from around the world. Dr Gao engaged in extensive discussions with global stakeholders and met with senior figures across the Middle East’s energy and industrial sectors.

Photo: VIP Attendees of the 19th MECC, held on 11-13 November 2025 in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

A major highlight of the visit – both for ICorr and for the wider corrosion community – was the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ICorr and MEA, held during the conference. This agreement, already published on the ICorr website, establishes a framework for enhanced cooperation, technical exchange, and joint initiatives between the two organisations.

The MoU marks an important milestone in strengthening international collaboration and supports ICorr’s strategic goal of deepening engagement with global partners.

Photo: ICorr President, Dr Yunnan Gao (Right) and Chairman of MEA, Dr Tariq A. Alghamdi (Left), at the MoU Signing Ceremony on 12th November 2025 during the 19th MECC in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

L-R: Rashed Alhajri (MEA Education and Training Committee Chair), George Winning (ICorr Treasurer), Muhsen Elhaddad (FICorr of Qatar Energy), Dr Tariq A. Alghamdi (MEA Chairman), and Dr Yunnan Gao (ICorr President) Attended the ICorr-MEA MoU Signing Ceremony on 12th November 2025 during the 19th MECC in Dhahran, Saudi.

The conference also provided a valuable opportunity to reconnect with AMPP leadership, including the AMPP CEO, Alan Thomas, for Dr Gao to share insights on global trends and collaborative opportunities between ICorr and AMPP.

In addition to high-level meetings, MECC offered an extensive technical programme showcasing leading-edge developments in corrosion science, inspection, and mitigation. Particularly notable were sessions focused on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into corrosion monitoring, predictive modelling, and asset integrity management. These developments demonstrate the accelerating role of digital technologies in shaping the future of corrosion engineering and management.

Photo: ICorr President, Dr Yunnan Gao (Right), and AMPP CEO, Alan Thomas (Left), at the 19th MECC in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

Reflecting on the conference, Dr Gao said: “It was a great honour to attend MECC as a guest of the MEA and to experience the scale, depth, and technical excellence of this important regional event. The signing of the MoU between ICorr and MEA represents a significant step forward in our international collaboration efforts. The insights gained, especially in emerging areas such as AI-driven corrosion management, will help strengthen ICorr’s global outlook and create new opportunities for our members.”

ICorr extends its appreciation to MEA for the invitation and hospitality and looks forward to developing this partnership through the initiatives set out in the newly signed MoU. Further updates, photos, and follow-up activities will be shared with members in due course via ICorr communication channels

 

 

 

ICorr Strengthens UK-China Corrosion Collaboration at the 13th China Corrosion Conference in Xi’an, China

ICorr Strengthens UK-China Corrosion Collaboration at the 13th China Corrosion Conference in Xi’an, China

ICorr Strengthens UK-China Corrosion Collaboration at the 13th China Corrosion Conference in Xi’an, China

November 2025 marked another major step forward in international engagement for the Institute of Corrosion (ICorr), as President Dr Yunnan Gao was invited by the President of the Chinese Society for Corrosion and Protection (CSCP) to attend the 13th China Corrosion Conference, held from 8-9 November in Xi’an, China.

The event, China’s most significant national biennial corrosion conference, brought together more than 1,300 experts, researchers, and industry leaders to discuss developments across corrosion science and engineering, materials innovation, and emerging industrial corrosion challenges.

Photo: Opening Ceremony of the 13th China Corrosion Conference on 8th November 2025 in Xi’an, China.

Recognition of Leadership in International Collaboration

During the conference’s opening ceremony and awards session, Dr Yunnan Gao was honoured with the International Collaboration Award, presented by the president of CSCP, Professor Xiaogang Li, in recognition of his leadership in strengthening cooperation between the corrosion communities of the UK and China.

The award highlights intensified engagement between the two organisations in the recent years, marked by high-level exchanges, jointly hosted events, and meaningful technical dialogues.

Photo: CSCP President, Professor Xiaogang Li (Left) Presenting the International Collaboration Award to ICorr President, Dr Yunnan Gao (Right), During the Opening Ceremony of the 13th China Corrosion Conference on 8th November 2025 in Xi’an, China.

ICorr President’s Presentation on ICorr, Young ICorr and YEP

A key moment of the conference occurred on 9th November, when Dr Gao delivered a presentation introducing the Institute of Corrosion, its global mission, and – of particular interest to the audience – its flagship programmes the Young Engineer Programme (YEP) organised by Young ICorr.

The session generated strong engagement from Chinese research students and early-career practitioners from universities, research institutes, and industry. Many expressed their enthusiasm for potential participation in future ICorr activities, signalling a promising new channel for nurturing the next generation of corrosion professionals across the UK and China.

Photo: ICorr President, Dr Yunnan Gao, Giving A Presentation on Introduction of ICorr, Young ICorr and YEP on 9th November 2025 during the 13th China Corrosion Conference in Xi’an, China.

Building on the Momentum of the UK-China Corrosion Summit

In meetings with CSCP President Professor Li Xiaogang and senior CSCP representatives, both parties reflected on the success of the 1st UK-China Corrosion Summit, hosted by ICorr and CSCP in Manchester in September 2025. The summit, focused on “AI Impacts to Corrosion Management within the UK–China Energy Industry,” showcased the value of collaborative thinking on shared industrial challenges.

Discussions in Xi’an reaffirmed a shared commitment to expand this cooperation, including future summits, technical workshops, research partnerships, and increased engagement between young professionals in both countries.

Photo: ICorr and CSCP Official Meeting Held during the 13th China Corrosion Conference in Xi’an, China.

Welcoming Newly Elected ICorr Fellows

A highlight of Dr Gao’s visit was the presentation of FICorr (Fellow of the Institute of Corrosion) certificates to newly elected Fellows based in China. Among them were:

  • Professor Chaofang Dong
  • Professor Anqing Fu

Their election as Fellows reflects ICorr’s recognition of their significant contributions to corrosion science and their leadership within the global corrosion community.

Photo: ICorr President, Dr Yunnan Gao (Left) Presenting FICorr Certificate to Professor Chaofang Dong (Right).

Photo: ICorr President, Dr Yunnan Gao (Left) Presenting FICorr Certificate to Professor Anqing Fu (Right).

Dr Gao commented: “It was a privilege to welcome Professors Dong and Fu as Fellows of ICorr. Their achievements and influence extend far beyond China, and their fellowship strengthens ICorr’s global network of excellence.”

Strengthening a Shared Vision for the Future

The Xi’an Conference showcased the strong foundation of trust and collaboration between ICorr and CSCP. Dr Gao emphasised the importance of continuing this momentum:

“Our communities face similar challenges and share the same ambition – to advance corrosion science and engineering for the benefit of society. This partnership between ICorr and CSCP is producing real impact. I look forward to deepening our collaboration and creating more opportunities for researchers, professionals, and students in both countries.”

Future initiatives currently under discussion include:

  • Joint training programmes and career professional development activities
  • Collaborative technical committees and research exchanges
  • Co-hosted conferences and thematic workshops
  • Greater mutual recognition of expertise and professional accreditation

A Growing Partnership with Global Impact

ICorr’s participation in the 13th China Corrosion Conference reflects the Institute’s long-standing commitment to international cooperation. As the corrosion challenges facing industry become increasingly complex and interconnected, ICorr’s engagement with organisations like CSCP ensures that knowledge, resources, and innovation flow freely across borders.

The success of the Xi’an conference marks not an endpoint but a further catalyst for collaboration – one that will strengthen corrosion science and engineering for both nations and for the global community.

ICorr and MEA of Saudi Arabia Signed Memorandum of Understanding to Strengthen International Collaboration in Corrosion Engineering

ICorr and MEA of Saudi Arabia Signed Memorandum of Understanding to Strengthen International Collaboration in Corrosion Engineering

The Institute of Corrosion (ICorr) is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Materials Engineering Association (MEA) of Saudi Arabia https://mea.org.sa/en/, marking a major step forward in fostering collaboration and mutual advancement within the global corrosion and materials engineering community.

The signing took place on 12th November 2025 during the 19th Middle East Corrosion Conference (MECC), held in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, a premier regional event that brings together industry leaders, researchers, and professionals dedicated to advancing corrosion science and engineering.

Representing ICorr, Dr Yunnan Gao, President of the Institute of Corrosion, formally signed the MoU alongside Dr Tariq A. Alghamdi, Chairman of the Materials Engineering Association. The agreement sets out a framework for collaborative initiatives, knowledge exchange, professional development, and joint technical activities between the two organisations.

Speaking at the signing, Dr Yunnan Gao commented:

“This MoU represents an important milestone for ICorr as we continue to strengthen our international partnerships. Working closely with MEA will enable us to share expertise, promote best practices, and create new opportunities for our members to engage in global professional activities. Together, we aim to advance corrosion prevention and materials integrity for the benefit of the wider industry.”

The collaboration is expected to include joint seminars, technical exchanges, training programmes, and opportunities for members from both organisations to participate in collaborative events.

The Institute of Corrosion looks forward to building a strong and lasting relationship with the Materials Engineering Association, reinforcing the shared commitment of both organisations to excellence and innovation in corrosion management and materials engineering.

For more information about ICorr’s international collaborations and upcoming initiatives, please visit www.icorr.org.

CED – Join the New CED Committee

CED – Join the New CED Committee

We’re rebuilding – and we want you with us

The ICorr Corrosion Engineering Division (CED) is undergoing a major refresh – and we’re looking for passionate corrosion professionals across the UK to help shape our next chapter.

Whether you’re working in energy, infrastructure, materials, asset integrity or beyond – if you care about corrosion and want to share your knowledge, build your profile, and contribute to a growing technical community… we’d love to hear from you.

We’re establishing a new committee to align with our refreshed structure and strategy. This is an exciting opportunity to join a supportive, cross-sector group with a shared vision:

Our Vision: To champion corrosion engineering through connection, collaboration, and contribution – bringing professionals together to share practical insights, tackle emerging challenges, and influence industry best practice.

Who We’re Looking For?

We welcome expressions of interest from individuals who are:

• Based in the UK

•Working in or passionate about corrosion engineering and science

• Keen to contribute their ideas, experience and time

•Interested in building their network, shaping strategy, or supporting technical activities

Whether you’re early in your career or a senior specialist, there’s a place for you.

Committee Opportunities

We’re currently seeking:

Vice Chair (with possible progression to Chair)

Working Party Leads – guiding topic-based technical communities

Committee Members – supporting events, outreach, and growth

Working Parties – Lead or Get Involved

As part of our revitalised structure, we’re forming broad, strategic working parties designed to be more inclusive, collaborative, and aligned with industry challenges:

Each group will meet 2–3 times a year and contribute to events, discussions, and outputs.

What’s involved?

We’re a volunteer-led committee and aim to keep involvement flexible, rewarding, and well-supported. Typical contributions include:

• Bi-monthly online committee meetings (30–60 mins)

• Working Party involvement (2–3 short meetings per year)

• Helping shape or promote our events and outputs

• Supporting outreach, mentoring, or knowledge-sharing

Key Annual CED Events

ICorr CED One-Day Technical Conference

    (April – aligned with Corrosion Awareness Day)

Paul McIntyre Award Presentation & Celebration

Technical Webinar (November/December)

ICorr AGM Participation and Reporting

What’s Next for the CED?

Our priorities for 2025–2026

• Rebuild a diverse, cross-sector committee

• Launch working parties aligned to current challenges

• Enhance our online presence and resource hub

• Strengthen collaboration with the Corrosion Science Division

• Celebrate excellence through the Paul McIntyre Award

• Continue growing our flagship events and technical visibility

Interested in Joining?

If you’re motivated by collaboration, knowledge-sharing and professional growth – and want to help move corrosion engineering forward – we want to hear from you.

Get in touch: Danny Burkle, Chair, Corrosion Engineering Division, Email:  CEDchair@icorr.org

CEng Updates

New application are being processed and assessors are adjustinh to their new roles.  The website is being updated to provide the documentation and processes as per the ICorr direct licence.

Our much-valued assessors come from varied backgrounds to review and assess the applications from ICorr’s wide-ranging membership. These volunteers are contributing to ICorr to support our members to attain the registration status with the Engineering Council.

Anthony Setiadi: Anthony is a chartered engineer currently working for Wood Thilsted, an offshore renewable consultancy. He has more than 20 years in the industry covering various energy and infrastructure roles and studied materials science at the University of Sheffield. He works in materials selection, coating and cathodic protection. He is also supporting ICorr as vice president and has been leading the ICorr registration process for the past 3 years.

Greg Brown: Greg is a senior materials engineer at Mott MacDonald, and he is currently chair of the ICorr Northwest branch. He is highly experienced in destructive and non-destructive testing and is a chartered engineer. He has been part of the Registration committee for the past 2 years.

Jim Preston: Jim is Managing Director of Corrosion Prevention Limited. He has worked in the fields of structural concrete repair and cathodic protection for over 30 years, including 15 years working for contracting organisations and latterly 15 years as a consultant. He is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of ICorr. He is a certified Level 4 CP Specialist in accordance with ISO 15257.

Ashokan Gopal: Ashokan Gopal is an electrochemical engineer and an industry-recognised cathodic protection expert in the UK with over 18 years of experience in the field of corrosion mitigation and cathodic protection. He is a chartered engineer with a master’s in corrosion control engineering from the University of Manchester. He is currently the vice-chair for the London ICorr Branch and an active member of the ICorr CPGB, working closely with the industry’s best minds. He is a certified Level 4 CP Specialist in accordance with ISO 15257.

Emilya Abdullayeva: Emilya is a senior corrosion engineer in SLB with 20+ years of experience in corrosion engineering, integrity chemicals, and microbiological control across upstream oil and gas operations. She has a master’s degree in engineering oil and gas and a PhD in corrosion inhibitors and MIC control in the oil and gas industry. Chartered Chemist from the Royal Society of Chemistry and Chartered Engineer from ICorr.

Ibtesam Hasan: Ibtesam is a chartered metallurgy and materials engineer with over 20 years of experience in offshore oil and gas. He currently manages P&L for IMR operations for the Fugro Middle East office. He holds degrees in metallurgy and materials and a PgD in corrosion control engineering, complemented by NACE and API certifications.

Azri Aziz: Azri is a chartered engineer and currently works as a senior corrosion engineer at Aramco. He has 14 years of experience in corrosion engineering and integrity management within the oil and gas industry. He holds a degree in Materials Engineering and an MSc in Corrosion Control Engineering, complemented by professional certifications from the American Petroleum Institute (API) and AMPP. Azri has a strong track record of developing and implementing integrity management strategies, ensuring asset reliability and driving industry best practices in corrosion control in operating assets.

Lian Ling Beh: Lian is a chartered engineer and professional member of ICorr. She is a materials and corrosion engineer with nearly 20 years of experience in asset integrity and management in the North Sea. Currently supporting operations across BP’s NS assets, providing consultation to multidisciplinary teams, including pressure systems, pipelines, mechanical and rotating equipment, structural integrity and lifting equipment.

Olubayo Latinwo: Olubayo is an asset integrity specialist with over 20 years’ experience across international oil and gas assets. He earned his PhD in Engineering Materials in 2012. Olubayo is a professional member of ICorr, IOM3 and IAM. He is also a Chartered Scientist and Chartered Engineer with the Science and Engineering Council, respectively, and also has multiple qualifications with AMPP and API. He has been part of the Aberdeen Branch of the Institute of Corrosion for 6 years in various roles, including Vice Chair. He has also been a formal PAC assessor for the MICorr grade for over 4 years with the Institute of Corrosion.

Syed Umair Niaz: Syed is a Chartered Scientist and Chartered Engineer with nearly 15 years of experience, having a degree in mechanical engineering with a strong focus on corrosion management, coating selection, and welding integrity. He has authored numerous publications in these fields and currently works with EDF France, based in the UK, leveraging his expertise to drive innovation and excellence. He is also serving ICorr as a member of the Professional Assessment Committee (PAC) and an assessor for CEng registrations.

ISO 15257 Level 4 Cathodic Protection Examination dates for 2026

LEVEL 4 ENGINEER EXAMINATIONS TO BS EN ISO 15257

Level 4 Certification of Competence is a requirement for the design of Cathodic Protection (CP) systems in all the BS, EN and ISO Cathodic Protection Standards. See the attached brochure on the ICorr CP Scheme and the Standards for more details.

It is expected that Candidates will already have Certification for Level 3 in the Sector in which they are applying and the requisite experience (see Preliminaries item 8 below). They must have passed the L3 Examination in that Sector, there is no dispensation.

Examinations:

All Level 4 examinations are presently held in Northampton at the Institute of Corrosion HQ, Corrosion House; see https://www.icorr.org They will be held typically 4 times per year; the facility is spacious, complies with UK Governments rules and guidance related to C-19. It is a short walk from the station; there is a modern budget hotel and parking nearby. Candidates are required to book one of the dates below; no other dates will be available. If one date does not suit you, choose another from the list. If there is limited demand for a particular date, we may cancel that from the programme and allocate your booking to the next examination date, whilst advising you. We will strive to avoid delaying your examination by more than 3-4 months. The examination is closed book, desk based, handwritten, with no practical element (this is in the mandatory L3) and is expected to take some 6.5 Hours, in 3 sessions with breaks between. A simple calculator, a Casio FX-991EX) will be provided; you will not be permitted access to any other electronic device. IF you are sitting the examination for more than one Sector (Buried, Steel in Concrete, Marine, Internals) you will need to sit for more than one date of those below:

Thursdays: 2026: 26 February, 4 June, 10 September, 26 November     

Examination arrangements are:

Book and pay for the Examination at least 1 month before the date you plan to attend. Do not attend unless you have confirmation of your place from Corrosion House.

Start 0900 Hrs: Book in, identification (passport or driving licence with picture), remove mobiles, laptops, smart watches, calculators to locked facility. No access to these during the day. Tea or coffee.

Expect to start examination at 0930 Hrs

Core: Applies to all Sectors: 2.5 Hours, 0930 to 1200 Hrs If you have previously passed the Core Examination, you may, after notifying Corrosion House, plan to arrive no later than 1215 Hrs to book in as above and be ready to commence as below, or you can arrive during the morning and finish early:

Break for lunch (provided)

Design Sector Specific: 2 Hrs, 1245 to 1445 Hrs

Break for tea or coffee

Performance Assessment: Sector Specific: 2 Hrs, 1500 to 1700 Hrs

Collect mobiles, laptops, calculators etc and depart building 1715 Hrs

Preliminaries:

  1. It is expected that candidates will only be sitting the Level 4 ISO 12527 examination if they are planning to apply to ICorr for certification for Level 4. This is an entirely separate process. It requires a separate application form and a certification fee; it involves an independent assessment of the candidate’s work experience, a refereed Application and a Dossier detailing completed complex projects.
  2. All Candidates must be competent in all the key tasks and knowledge required at Level 3 in the CP Sector for which you are applying at Level 4. Accordingly, you must have a valid Level 3 Examination pass in all parts of the examination, the Core, the Sector Specific and the Sector Specific Practical Examination; there is no dispensation available to avoid this.
  3. If you do not already have Level 3 certification and your cv clearly shows that it is likely that you do meet the experience requirements for Level 4, you can sit the Level 3 examination without attending the Level 3 Course. This includes the Level 3 Practical examination in the Sector(s) applicable to your intended Level 4 application(s). If you pass the examinations, you may choose to obtain L3 certification, but need not delay your application for L4, but if you fail the certification for L3 you will fail for L4.
  4. At present there are no ICorr Level 4 Courses; you are expected to have learned the skills and gained the competence by working alongside CP Engineers or Specialists more experienced than you, preferably Certificated to Level 4, and by personal study and attending conferences and courses. This is expected to have taken some years of supervised design and other challenging CP work after your Level 3 certification.
  5. The main difference between L3 and L4 is that the latter requires the competence and the experience of undertaking, without guidance, complicated and detailed CP designs. The full requirements are summarised as being competent in the of design cathodic protection systems, to establish and validate cathodic protection criteria and testing procedures, to interpret standards, codes, specifications and procedures, to designate the particular cathodic protection test methods and procedures to be used, to interpret the reported results of cathodic protection testing and use them in performance verification, to determine any remedial actions and to carry out and supervise all Level 1,2 and 3 duties.
  6. Level 4 personnel shall have a detailed knowledge of corrosion theory, cathodic protection design, installation, commissioning, testing and performance evaluation including safety in at least one application sector, competence to undertake without supervision the design of complex cathodic protection systems in at least one application sector, sufficient theoretical knowledge and practical experience of cathodic protection to select cathodic protection testing methods, survey requirements and performance criteria. They shall have competence to evaluate and interpret results of cathodic protection performance in accordance with existing standards, codes and specifications, competence to assist in establishing testing and performance criteria where none are otherwise available and a general familiarity with cathodic protection in other application sectors.
  7. The examination is designed to test these abilities. It will be challenging; some candidates will fail.
  8. The separate certification procedure will more rigorously assess these by way of your experience and what you can document in terms of projects, including complex CP designs. Certification to L4 requires 3 to 8 years’ CP experience [dependent on qualifications] if progressing from full Certification at Level 3, or 5 to 12 years’ experience if applying directly for Level 4 after only passing the L3 examination. You may sit the L4 examination early, but the above experience requirements will be used in your certification assessment after you pass the examination. You will need to prepare a detailed dossier detailing more than one and ideally 3 detailed designs in each Sector. You will not achieve certification until your experience has been assessed and you are likely to be interviewed by the ICorr Professional Assessment Committee during this process.

Examination Booking Form