who-is-an-engineer who is an engineer who

Who is an engineer

1. 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

2. WHAT IS ENGINEERING?WHAT IS ENGINEERING?
•The art and science concerned with the practical The art and science concerned with the practical
application of scientific knowledge, as in the design, application of scientific knowledge, as in the design,
construction, and operation of roads, bridges, buildings, construction, and operation of roads, bridges, buildings,
machines etc. machines etc.
•The combination of art and science by which the The combination of art and science by which the
materials and power of nature are made useful to materials and power of nature are made useful to
mankind. mankind.
•Application and advancement of skills based on Application and advancement of skills based on
mathematics, science and technology, integrated with mathematics, science and technology, integrated with
business and management. business and management.

3. WHO IS AN ENGINEER?WHO IS AN ENGINEER?
•An engineer is one who effectively adapts the findings An engineer is one who effectively adapts the findings
of science to the use of manof science to the use of man
•A person specifically trained and experienced in A person specifically trained and experienced in
planning and developing the structures and devices, and planning and developing the structures and devices, and
in supervising the processes for the benefit of mankindin supervising the processes for the benefit of mankind
•Engineers are involved in the implementation, Engineers are involved in the implementation,
application, design, development and management of application, design, development and management of
projects and processesprojects and processes

4. DEFINITION OF AN ENGINEERDEFINITION OF AN ENGINEER
•AN ENGINEER EFFECTIVELY ADAPTS FINDINGS AN ENGINEER EFFECTIVELY ADAPTS FINDINGS
OF SCIENCE TO THE USE OF MANOF SCIENCE TO THE USE OF MAN
•HE IS THE VITAL LINK BETWEEN SCIENCE AND HE IS THE VITAL LINK BETWEEN SCIENCE AND
SOCIETYSOCIETY

5. MAKING OF A MODERN MAKING OF A MODERN
ENGINEERENGINEER
•The dynamic & fast changing world demands a The dynamic & fast changing world demands a
more complex role for an engineer. more complex role for an engineer.
•Besides technical skills, they must be good in Besides technical skills, they must be good in
non-technical skills likenon-technical skills like
•CommunicationCommunication
•Problem solvingProblem solving
•ManagementManagement

6. MAKING OF AN ENGINEERMAKING OF AN ENGINEER

7. ENGINEERING BRANCHESENGINEERING BRANCHES
•BasicBasic
•Civil, Mechanical & Civil, Mechanical &
ElectricalElectrical
•SectoralSectoral
•ElectronicsElectronics
•ChemicalChemical
•Materials Materials
•ComputerComputer
•MiningMining
•ModernModern
•Marine/NavalMarine/Naval
•Bio-ChemicalBio-Chemical
•Bio-MedicalBio-Medical
•LatestLatest
•Information TechnologyInformation Technology
•Bio TechBio Tech
•Medical / Medical /
PharmaceuticalPharmaceutical

8. ENGINEER’S HERITAGEENGINEER’S HERITAGE
•Engineering was an art for long centuries before it Engineering was an art for long centuries before it
became a sciencebecame a science
•Engineer is heir to a great traditionEngineer is heir to a great tradition
•Tubal Cain, 7Tubal Cain, 7
thth
generation of Adam is the legendary generation of Adam is the legendary
father of technical skillsfather of technical skills
•Egyptians channeled water to irrigate landEgyptians channeled water to irrigate land
•Romans built great roads, bridges and aqueductsRomans built great roads, bridges and aqueducts
•People of Mohenjodaro and Harappa built the first People of Mohenjodaro and Harappa built the first
planned citiesplanned cities

9. SOME GREAT ENGINEERSSOME GREAT ENGINEERS
•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

10. SOME GREAT INDIAN SOME GREAT INDIAN
ENGINEERSENGINEERS
•Mokshagundam Visweswaraya – Father of Indian Mokshagundam Visweswaraya – Father of Indian
EngineeringEngineering
•A. P. J. Abdul Kalam – Father of Indian RocketryA. P. J. Abdul Kalam – Father of Indian Rocketry
•Narayana Murthy – Founder of InfosysNarayana Murthy – Founder of Infosys
•Sam Pitroda – Force behind the IT revolution in IndiaSam Pitroda – Force behind the IT revolution in India
•M. N. Dastur – Designer of steel plantsM. N. Dastur – Designer of steel plants
•Brahm Prakash – Atomic energy metallurgistBrahm Prakash – Atomic energy metallurgist

11. QUALITIES OF ENGINEERSQUALITIES OF ENGINEERS
•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

12. ABET Engineering Criteria 2000ABET Engineering Criteria 2000
•An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
•An ability to design and conduct experiments as well as to analyze and An ability to design and conduct experiments as well as to analyze and
interpret data.interpret data.
•An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs.An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet 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 engineeringThe broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering
solutions in a global/societal context.solutions in a global/societal context.
•A recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in lifelong learning.A recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in lifelong 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.

13. 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 & cultureInternational & national history & culture
•Proficiency in languagesProficiency in languages

14. TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE & TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE &
SKILLSSKILLS
•Science fundamentalsScience fundamentals
•Engineering fundamentals & applicationEngineering fundamentals & application
•Probability & StatisticsProbability & Statistics
•Computer science & technologyComputer science & technology
•Engineering practiceEngineering practice

15. INTELLECTUAL SKILLSINTELLECTUAL SKILLS
•Logical thinkingLogical thinking
•Problem-solving skillsProblem-solving skills
•Communication skillsCommunication skills
•Design skillsDesign skills
•Organizational, management and administrative Organizational, management and administrative
skillsskills

16. ATTITUDESATTITUDES
•CompetenceCompetence
•IntegrityIntegrity
•CommitmentCommitment
•ToleranceTolerance
•FlexibilityFlexibility
•Life-long learningLife-long learning
•ReliabilityReliability
•ConscientiousConscientious
nessness
•PunctualityPunctuality
•ApproachabilityApproachability

17. STANDARDS OF ENGINEERING STANDARDS OF ENGINEERING
PRACTICEPRACTICE
•Measurement systemsMeasurement systems
•Technical standardsTechnical standards
•Specifications & inspection standardsSpecifications & inspection standards
•Testing practicesTesting practices
•Environmental constraintsEnvironmental constraints
•Code of ethicsCode of ethics
•Proficiency standardsProficiency standards

18. BUSINESS PRACTICESBUSINESS PRACTICES
•Free market economyFree market economy
•International marketplaceInternational marketplace
•MNCsMNCs
•International competitivenessInternational competitiveness
•Quality assuranceQuality assurance
•InsuranceInsurance
•WarrantiesWarranties
•Bidding proceduresBidding procedures

19. INTERNATIONAL/NATIONAL INTERNATIONAL/NATIONAL
HISTORY & CULTUREHISTORY & CULTURE
•Common historyCommon history
•National history & developmentNational history & development
•Cultural differencesCultural differences
•Economic & political issuesEconomic & political issues
•Social life & customsSocial life & customs
•GenderGender
•ReligionReligion
•MulticulturalismMulticulturalism

20. PROFICIENCY IN LANGUAGESPROFICIENCY IN LANGUAGES
•Spoken foreign languageSpoken foreign language
•Written foreign languageWritten foreign language
•Regional dialectsRegional dialects
•Technical terminologyTechnical terminology
•Professional jargonProfessional jargon

21. The Desired Skills and The Desired Skills and
Attributes for an ideal Attributes for an ideal
EngineerEngineer

22. REFERENCESREFERENCES
1.1.William E. Wickenden, A Professional Guide for William E. Wickenden, A Professional Guide for
Young Engineers, G. R. Henninger (Ed. ), Young Engineers, G. R. Henninger (Ed. ),
Engineers’ Council for Professional Development, Engineers’ Council for Professional Development,
New York, 1967New York, 1967
2.2.T. K. G. Namboodhiri, Engineering Education in T. K. G. Namboodhiri, Engineering Education in
India, J. Inst. Engg. (India), Vol. 66, IDP, 3, 1985India, J. Inst. Engg. (India), Vol. 66, IDP, 3, 1985
3.3.Duyen Q. Nguen, The essential Skills and Attributes Duyen Q. Nguen, The essential Skills and Attributes
of an Engineer, Global J. of Engg. Educ. Vol. 2, No. of an Engineer, Global J. of Engg. Educ. Vol. 2, No.
1, 19981, 1998