Re: The expaning world of engineers

In refer to Prof. Ramakrishna’s article, “The Expanding World of Engineers”, briefly explain how an engineer systematically analyse complex information and applies a holistic approach in designing solutions.

In today’s changing world, the current engineering tertiary education, differs from the past, is more diversified which allows graduates to adapt better to various adjustments in the market. Although technical knowledge is the fundamental essential of engineering education, one should note that analytical skill is playing a more significant role. Engineer has to decipher complex information and reconstruct the ideas systematically before providing the solutions. In tertiary institutions, students are showered with application and problem-solving questions and systematic approaches are taught. Such tasks demand a high degree of analytical ability from the students and these sculpt the engineering students to be judicious. This life skill is not only applicable in the use of engineering field but also in other sectors like banking and enterprising, which allows engineering graduates to venture into other arenas. One of the examples is Mr. George Yong-Boon Yeo, who studies Engineering in Cambridge University and he is currently Singapore’s minister of Foreign Affairs. Hence, this shows the versatility of an engineering training and education.

The word “creation” is often linked to engineering due the traditional perspective of manufacturing products. The elements of creating and changing surrounding for the better have been constantly instill into the engineers. This also applies to the engineering education, which has been constantly modified to accommodate to the need of the workforce. Therefore, in the current context, this innovative quality of an engineer is not only limited to physical inventions, but also designing solutions to various problems in reality. With the analytical ability mentioned earlier, engineers are to apply a holistic approach in creating solutions based on their knowledge and expertise in the respective fields. Engineers are trained to look at the pros and cons of the intended solutions and run tests before the actual execution of the project. All these have shaped engineers to be more creative and matriculate than their mates.

The majority has recognized the versatile and holistic education system of engineering couple with a wide career prospects it brings. Thus, engineering is no longer deemed as the terrain of males, more female counterparts are joining and excelling in this field like what Prof Seeram Ramakrishna mentioned in the article.