Foundations of Engineering Education

Technology affects the world in which we live and engineering is needed to create technology. The natural role of engineers consists of solving the real-world problems of society, resolving the basic needs by attempting to produce practical tools through the use of laid down scientific theories and laws. Engineers have the unique role of solving social problems through the use of machines, devices, systems, materials, and processes. The engineers’ urge for a better life forced them to dive into real inventions that have eventually changed our world today. They work on many different and diverse specializations, but they all create solutions for different areas of human life. Their works impact the society.

Source: The Hans India

They use Physics, Chemistry and Maths to perform all processes for purposes of aiding man's life. Computer Engineers deals with design and operations, some Computer Engineers are specialised in the areas like digital system, operating system, computer network, software etc. Chemistry and Physics are the basis of electronic component design. Similarly, all the branches such as Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering, Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering also essentially require knowledge of Basic Science. Knowledge in basic science forms the base of Engineering.

Foundations of Basic Science aim to fulfil this function most efficiently. It supports efficiently the Engineering Department by providing quality training to students. In addition to study of basic subjects like Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry; first year in Engineering involves introducing general engineering students to the Profession including problem solving, software tools, professional practice, communication, team work, ethics, the diversity of fields and majors within engineering. First Year Engineering fundamentally enhances students’ knowledge and critical thinking ability to understand the technology and analyze the things in modern society. Efforts to strengthen the foundation of every student are taken care of to make them ready in solving real life problems. First Year Engineering is the foundation of Engineering Education.

Engineering as a stream of study demands the elementary knowledge of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and ignoring these streams can never make a perfect engineer.

 

About Author

Dr. Amit N Gupta is HOD, First Year B. Tech. in JD College of Engineering & Management, Nagpur, India. He has published several articles in popular daily newspapers & presented several research papers in International and National journals & conferences. He is associated with various professional bodies in India and abroad.

Social Responsibility of Engineers

Engineers!!!

I am noticing from past few years, all my student and the personalities in the society who have completed their graduation /post graduation/ higher educational degree in engineering, have started writing Er before their name just like doctors do. I am sure along with the feeling of pride they must have realization of social responsibility as well.

Yes, social responsibility!!! In terms of human safety, environmental protection and sustainability, pro bono work, social justice, and diversity.

Society trust engineers as they have primary duty to protect public safety, health, and welfare, the failure of which may result in severe injuries or even deaths.

Biomedical engineers promote health.

Environmental and civil engineers provide clean drinking water and prevent the spread of toxic chemicals via air, water, and soil. Civil engineers create infrastructure that will be safe in the face of hurricanes or earthquakes, construction engineering to protect on-site workers, Mechanical engineering of cars take measures to protect occupants during crashes, etc.

Chemical engineers manufacture medicines, as well as pesticides and other chemicals that may have toxic effects. However, they also strive to protect the society from harmful effects of these chemicals.

Other engineering disciplines are also critically important to safety but as sub-systems may garner less attention (such as software engineering for computer controls or electrical engineering). However, public safety broadly applies to all engineering disciplines. 

The environment and ecology has distinct value, beyond that of maintaining human existence. Engineer’s knowledge and skills should be used for the benefit of society and for sustainability. For the same, sustainability is included in the educational requirements for engineers under the Washington Accord outcomes.[1]

In many countries, engineers are also expected to undertake professional work voluntarily and without payment, termed as pro bono activities. In engineering education, pro bono work can take the form of service-learning or Learning through Service, also termed community engagement. [2, 3] As well, engineering faculty believe that students learn about ethics and societal impact issues via community engagement activities [4].

Engineers have to play vital role in social justice relating to the distribution of wealth and privileges in society, as well as issues related to poverty and development. Many countries like US [5, 6], Australia [7], Finland [8] and Colombia [9] believe that engineering social responsibility encompasses social justice issues. 

Studies have shown that individual’s perceptions of their social responsibilities as engineers will develop over time via the process of professional socialization. Many countries have found in their survey that only 10-15 % engineering students are interested in ‘making a difference’ to the world through their learning. A number of studies have explored student perceptions related to elements of social responsibility. Despite bringing students with aspirations toward positive social benefits into engineering, there is evidence that these goals may diminish over time [10, 11].

World is looking at India as one of fastest emerging economies of world. We have to ensure the balance between economic and social progress of the country. It is very healthy, if society’s progress is at the same pace as the economic growth, but mismatch between the two may lead to very grave situation. Public sector companies and government are also taking good initiatives to balance societal and economical growth, to achieve the balance [13]. But this is not sufficient to bring revolutionary changes in social progress. Hence there is urgent need that all stakeholders including corporate and citizens have to act together for this change.  Therefore it also becomes essential for engineers to inculcate social responsibility at their individual level as they play very important and bulky role in the development of country by means of development of technology and in turn economic development.

REFERENCES:

1. International Engineering Alliance (IEA). Graduate Attributes and Professional Competencies. Version 3: 21 June 2013. 16 pp. Available from: http://www.ieagreements.org/about-us/key-documents/ [Accessed: 2017-12-13]
2. Swan C, Paterson K, Bielefeldt AR. Community engagement in engineering education as a way to increase inclusiveness. In: Johri A, Olds BM, editors. Chapter 18 Cambridge Handbook of Engineering Education Research. New York: Cambridge University Press; 2014. pp. 357-374,
3. Bielefeldt AR. Chapter 3 - Faculty and student perspectives on community engagement in engineering education. In: Kronick R, editor. Community Engagement: Principles, Strategies, and Practices. Nova Science Publishers, Inc; 2018. (in press October 2017). ISBN: 978-1-53613-023-2
4. Bielefeldt AR, Canney N, Swan C, Knight D. Contributions of learning through service to the ethics education of engineering students. International Journal for Service Learning in Engineering, Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship. 2016;11:1-17
5. Catalano G, Baillie C, Riley D, Nieusma D, Byrne C, Bailey M, Maralampides K. Integrating social justice ideas into a numerical methods course in bioengineering. In: Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Conference & Exposition; 20-23 June 2010. Louisville KY: ASEE; 2010. p. 7
6. Riley D. Engineering and Social Justice. Morgan & Claypool; 2008. p. 164. DOI: 10.2200/S00117ED1V01Y200805ETS007
7. Baillie C, Levine M. Engineering ethics from a justice perspective: A critical repositioning of what it means to be an engineer. International Journal of Engineering, Social Justice, and Peace. 2013;2:10-20
8. Mladenovic MN, McPherson T. Engineering social justice into traffic control for self-driving vehicles? Science and Engineering Ethics. 2016;22:1131-1149. DOI: 10.1007/s11948-015-9690-9
9. Engineering, Social Justice, and Peace. Conferences. EJSP 2011. July 6-9, Bogota, Colombia. Compilation of Abstracts. Available from: http://esjp.org/esjp-conference/esjp-2011 [Accessed: 2017-12-11]
10. Cech EA. Culture of disengagement in engineering education? Science, Technology & Human Values. 2014; 39(1):42-72. DOI: 10.1177/0162243913504305
11. Bielefeldt AR, Canney NE. Changes in the social responsibility attitudes of engineering students over time. Science and Engineering Ethics. 2016; 22:1535-1551. DOI: 10.1007/s11948-015-9706-5
12. Verma S, Chauhan R, Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in Developing Economies International Marketing Conference on Marketing & Society, 8-10 April, 2007, IIMK

About Author

Dr. Namrata Pradnyakar, Dean (Students), is doctorate in Physics. She possesses the experience of one decade in academics. She is instrumental in Students Development and handling other student centric issues. She has published more than 13 Research Papers in National and International Journals.

How to choose the right Engineering College?

While choosing an Engineering colleges, many things you need to keep in mind. Let's have a look at some of them.

8 Steps To Help You Choose The Right Engineering College

1.       Opt for brand

Go for a branded college. The college with a high brand recall provides quality education, and its alumni are successful in the real world.

2.       Choose the stream first

You must decide on which branch of engineering you are planning to study and make a career in. For this, you must evaluate all the available options before coming to the conclusion. You must be motivated to study in that discipline.

3.       The faculty

Many new colleges lacks good faculty. Some colleges don’t even have the necessary faculty. Before taking admission in an engineering college, take your time, go to the college and talk to the students about the faculty. Check if the college has a good, experienced and adequate faculty.

4.       Infrastructure

A fully-residential campus usually provides a better learning environment.

5.       Accreditation by NAAC

Status of the institute: a university status typically would mean greater academic freedom for innovation.

6.       Campus placement

Of course, it should be considered. Just don’t consider it as the only parameter.

7.       Students Activities

Student activities: You want to enjoy your four years and not just spend time in labs and the library! So make sure that there are enough extra-curricular activities on the campus.

8.       Leadership qualities

Student participation in institute administration: Do they groom leadership qualities amongst the students