WHO IS AN WHO IS AN ENGINEER?ENGINEER?

DR. T. K. G. NAMBOODHIRIDR. T. K. G. NAMBOODHIRI

PROFESSOR (Retired)PROFESSOR (Retired)

BANARAS HINDU UNIVERSITYBANARAS HINDU UNIVERSITY

WHAT IS WHAT IS ENGINEERING?ENGINEERING?

• The art and science concerned with the The art and science concerned with the practical application of scientific practical application of scientific knowledge, as in the design, construction, knowledge, as in the design, construction, and operation of roads, bridges, buildings, and operation of roads, bridges, buildings, machines etc. machines etc.

• The combination of art and science by The combination of art and science by which the materials and power of nature which the materials and power of nature are made useful to mankind. are made useful to mankind.

• Application and advancement of skills based Application and advancement of skills based on mathematics, science and technology, on mathematics, science and technology, integrated with business and management. integrated with business and management.

WHO IS AN ENGINEER?WHO IS AN ENGINEER?

• An engineer is one who effectively adapts An engineer is one who effectively adapts the findings of science to the use of manthe findings of science to the use of man

• A person specifically trained and A person specifically trained and experienced in planning and developing the experienced in planning and developing the structures and devices, and in supervising structures and devices, and in supervising the processes for the benefit of mankindthe processes for the benefit of mankind

• Engineers are involved in the Engineers are involved in the implementation, application, design, implementation, application, design, development and management of projects development and management of projects and processesand processes

DEFINITION OF AN DEFINITION OF AN ENGINEERENGINEER

• AN ENGINEER EFFECTIVELY ADAPTS AN ENGINEER EFFECTIVELY ADAPTS FINDINGS OF SCIENCE TO THE USE OF MANFINDINGS OF SCIENCE TO THE USE OF MAN

• HE IS THE VITAL LINK BETWEEN SCIENCE HE IS THE VITAL LINK BETWEEN SCIENCE AND SOCIETYAND SOCIETY

MAKING OF A MODERN MAKING OF A MODERN ENGINEERENGINEER

• The dynamic & fast changing world The dynamic & fast changing world demands a more complex role for an demands a more complex role for an engineer. engineer.

• Besides technical skills, they must Besides technical skills, they must be good in non-technical skills likebe good in non-technical skills like

• CommunicationCommunication• Problem solvingProblem solving• ManagementManagement

MAKING OF AN MAKING OF AN ENGINEERENGINEER

ENGINEERING ENGINEERING BRANCHESBRANCHES

• BasicBasic• Civil, Mechanical Civil, Mechanical

& Electrical& Electrical• SectoralSectoral• ElectronicsElectronics• ChemicalChemical• Materials Materials • ComputerComputer• MiningMining

• ModernModern• Marine/NavalMarine/Naval• Bio-ChemicalBio-Chemical• Bio-MedicalBio-Medical• LatestLatest• Information Information

TechnologyTechnology• Bio TechBio Tech• Medical / Medical /

PharmaceuticalPharmaceutical

ENGINEER’S HERITAGEENGINEER’S HERITAGE

• Engineering was an art for long centuries Engineering was an art for long centuries before it became a sciencebefore it became a science

• Engineer is heir to a great traditionEngineer is heir to a great tradition• Tubal Cain, 7Tubal Cain, 7thth generation of Adam is the generation of Adam is the

legendary father of technical skillslegendary father of technical skills• Egyptians channeled water to irrigate landEgyptians channeled water to irrigate land• Romans built great roads, bridges and Romans built great roads, bridges and

aqueductsaqueducts• People of Mohenjodaro and Harappa built People of Mohenjodaro and Harappa built

the first planned citiesthe first planned cities

SOME GREAT SOME GREAT ENGINEERSENGINEERS

• Leonardo da Vinci: Many- sided geniusLeonardo da Vinci: Many- sided genius• Galileo : The father of mechanicsGalileo : The father of mechanics• Bessemer: Converter to make cheap steelBessemer: Converter to make cheap steel• Edison: The electric bulbEdison: The electric bulb• Thomson: A. C. transformerThomson: A. C. transformer• Goodyear: Vulcanized rubberGoodyear: Vulcanized rubber• Diesel: Automobile engineDiesel: Automobile engine• Bell: TelephoneBell: Telephone• Ford and Benz: AutomobilesFord and Benz: Automobiles• Langley and Wrights brothers: FlyingLangley and Wrights brothers: Flying

SOME GREAT INDIAN SOME GREAT INDIAN ENGINEERSENGINEERS

• Mokshagundam Visweswaraya – Father of Mokshagundam Visweswaraya – Father of Indian EngineeringIndian Engineering

• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam – Father of Indian A. P. J. Abdul Kalam – Father of Indian RocketryRocketry

• Narayana Murthy – Founder of InfosysNarayana Murthy – Founder of Infosys• Sam Pitroda – Force behind the IT Sam Pitroda – Force behind the IT

revolution in Indiarevolution in India• M. N. Dastur – Designer of steel plantsM. N. Dastur – Designer of steel plants• Brahm Prakash – Atomic energy Brahm Prakash – Atomic energy

metallurgistmetallurgist

QUALITIES OF QUALITIES OF ENGINEERSENGINEERS

• Courage and integrityCourage and integrity• Thirst for knowledgeThirst for knowledge• ImaginationImagination• Capacity for sound judgmentCapacity for sound judgment• Accuracy of thought and actionAccuracy of thought and action• Instinct for economyInstinct for economy• Aptitude for leadershipAptitude for leadership• IngeniousnessIngeniousness• Capacity for hard workCapacity for hard work• Ability to think and speak lucidlyAbility to think and speak lucidly

ABET Engineering ABET Engineering Criteria 2000Criteria 2000

• An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.engineering.

• An ability to design and conduct experiments as well as to analyze An ability to design and conduct experiments as well as to analyze and and interpret data.interpret data.

• An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs.desired needs.

• An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams.An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams.• An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.• An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.• An ability to communicate effectively.An ability to communicate effectively.• The broad education necessary to understand the impact of The broad education necessary to understand the impact of

engineeringengineeringsolutions in a global/societal context.solutions in a global/societal context.

• A recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in lifelong A recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in lifelong learning.learning.

• Knowledge of contemporary issues.Knowledge of contemporary issues.• An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modernAn ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern

engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS OF AN ESSENTIAL SKILLS OF AN ENGINEERENGINEER

• Technical knowledge and skillsTechnical knowledge and skills• Intellectual skillsIntellectual skills• AttitudesAttitudes• Standards of Engineering practiceStandards of Engineering practice• Business practicesBusiness practices• International & national history & International & national history &

cultureculture• Proficiency in languagesProficiency in languages

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS& SKILLS

• Science fundamentalsScience fundamentals• Engineering fundamentals & Engineering fundamentals &

applicationapplication• Probability & StatisticsProbability & Statistics• Computer science & technologyComputer science & technology• Engineering practiceEngineering practice

INTELLECTUAL SKILLSINTELLECTUAL SKILLS

• Logical thinkingLogical thinking• Problem-solving skillsProblem-solving skills• Communication skillsCommunication skills• Design skillsDesign skills• Organizational, management and Organizational, management and

administrative skillsadministrative skills

ATTITUDESATTITUDES

• CompetenceCompetence• IntegrityIntegrity• CommitmentCommitment• ToleranceTolerance• FlexibilityFlexibility• Life-long Life-long

learninglearning

•ReliabilityReliability•ConscientiousConscientious

nessness•PunctualityPunctuality•ApproachabiliApproachabili

tyty

STANDARDS OF STANDARDS OF ENGINEERING PRACTICEENGINEERING PRACTICE

• Measurement systemsMeasurement systems• Technical standardsTechnical standards• Specifications & inspection Specifications & inspection

standardsstandards• Testing practicesTesting practices• Environmental constraintsEnvironmental constraints• Code of ethicsCode of ethics• Proficiency standardsProficiency standards

BUSINESS PRACTICESBUSINESS PRACTICES

• Free market economyFree market economy• International marketplaceInternational marketplace• MNCsMNCs• International competitivenessInternational competitiveness• Quality assuranceQuality assurance• InsuranceInsurance• WarrantiesWarranties• Bidding proceduresBidding procedures

INTERNATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL/NATIONAL HISTORY & NATIONAL HISTORY &

CULTURECULTURE• Common historyCommon history• National history & developmentNational history & development• Cultural differencesCultural differences• Economic & political issuesEconomic & political issues• Social life & customsSocial life & customs• GenderGender• ReligionReligion• MulticulturalismMulticulturalism

PROFICIENCY IN PROFICIENCY IN LANGUAGESLANGUAGES

• Spoken foreign languageSpoken foreign language• Written foreign languageWritten foreign language• Regional dialectsRegional dialects• Technical terminologyTechnical terminology• Professional jargonProfessional jargon

The Desired Skills The Desired Skills and Attributes for an and Attributes for an

ideal Engineerideal Engineer

REFERENCESREFERENCES

1.1. William E. Wickenden, A Professional William E. Wickenden, A Professional Guide for Young Engineers, G. R. Guide for Young Engineers, G. R. Henninger (Ed. ), Engineers’ Council for Henninger (Ed. ), Engineers’ Council for Professional Development, New York, 1967Professional Development, New York, 1967

2.2. T. K. G. Namboodhiri, Engineering T. K. G. Namboodhiri, Engineering Education in India, J. Inst. Engg. (India), Education in India, J. Inst. Engg. (India), Vol. 66, IDP, 3, 1985Vol. 66, IDP, 3, 1985

3.3. Duyen Q. Nguen, The essential Skills and Duyen Q. Nguen, The essential Skills and Attributes of an Engineer, Global J. of Attributes of an Engineer, Global J. of Engg. Educ. Vol. 2, No. 1, 1998Engg. Educ. Vol. 2, No. 1, 1998