ROLE OF ENGINEERS IN

NATION BUILDING

Prof. Sanjay Salve (B.E. Metallurgy, MBA-HR)

 SONG OF THE ENGINEER
5

I take the vision which comes from

dreams
And apply the magic of science and
mathematics
Adding the heritage of my profession
And my knowledge of Nature’s materials
To create a design.
I organize the efforts and skills of my
fellow workers
Employing the capital of the thrifty
And the products of many industries
And together we work toward our goal
Undaunted by hazards and obstacles.
And when we have completed our task
All can see
That the dreams and plans have
materialized
For the comfort and welfare for all.
 I am an Engineer.
I serve mankind
By making dreams come
true.
9
Do Engineers
Have Social
Responsibilities?

“People enjoy what technology can do for them while often ignoring what it can do to them”

--Edward Wenk
10

What does “having” social responsibilities mean?

Social Responsibility

It means a commitment from the engineering

profession, and, by proxy, the individual engineers
who belong to the profession, to place the public
safety and interest ahead of all other considerations
and obligations (with certain caveats to be explained
later).
It means that engineers take into account and
show due regard for the consequences of their
conduct for the well-being of others as well as
for the impact of their work on society and the
citizenry.
Social Responsibility
This requires the engineer to make determined
efforts to discover all of the relevant facts
concerning the design, development, and
deployment and all of the possible outcomes
of the choices available that may positively
and negatively affect/impact society and the
citizenry
 Social Responsibilities of Engineers (Some
Examples)
16

 Ensure the safety and well-being of the public

 Ensure that society’s funds and resources
concerning technology are well used
 Refusing to work on a particular project or for
a particular company
Social Responsibilities of
Engineers
 Speaking out publicly against a proposed
project
 Blowing the whistle on illegality or wrong-
doing
 Professional Societies’ obligation to provide
protection for whistleblowers
Social Responsibilities of Engineers

 Individual and organizational concern about

the impact of engineering projects on society
 Contributing one’s services to worthy, non-
profit groups and projects
 Engineering schools’ commitment to
educating future engineers about their social
responsibilities
 Code of Ethics for Engineers
21

 
 Engineers shall, in fulfilling their responsibilities to the
community:
 Protect the safety, health and welfare of the public and speak
out against abuses in these areas affecting the public
interest;
 Contribute professional advice, as appropriate, to civic,
charitable or other non-profit organizations;
 Seek to extend public knowledge and appreciation of the
engineering profession and its achievements
 Professionalism
23

WHAT IS A PROFESSIONAL?

Originally, one who professed adherence to monastic vows of a religious order.

* a free act of commitment to a specific way of life
* allegiance to high moral standards
* skill, knowledge, practice of an art

WHAT IS A PROFESSIONAL?

Today, it is one who is “duly qualified” in a specific field

* special theoretical knowledge or education
* appropriate experience
* knowledge and skills vital to the well-being of a large potion of
society
* Professional organization and a code of ethic
* special social sanction
 MODELS OF PROFESSIONALISM
25

Social Contract Model

 Professionals are guardians of the public trust

 Professions are social institutions—they are organized by

some act of society and are granted special powers in return
for socially beneficial goods and services (Licensure)

 An implicit, unstated agreement exists between professional

and society

 Society may subsidize training of professionals

 The Intrinsic Nature of Engineering
26

The Narrow Definition

Engineering is the science and art of efficient dealing

with materials and forces ... it involves the most
economic design and execution ... assuring, when
properly performed, the most advantageous
combination of accuracy, safety, durability, speed,
simplicity, efficiency, and economy possible for the
conditions of design and service.
 The Intrinsic Nature of Engineering
27

The Broad Definition

 Engineering is the application of science to the common

purpose of life.
 Engineering is the art of directing the great sources of power
in nature for the use and convenience of man.
 Engineering is the art of organizing and directing men and
controlling the forces and materials of nature for the benefit of
the human race.
 Engineering is the profession in which a knowledge of the
mathematical and natural sciences gained by study,
experience, and practice is applied with judgment to develop
ways to utilize, economically, the materials and forces of
nature for the benefit of mankind.
--Engineers Council for Professional Development (1961/1979)
 The Intrinsic Nature of Engineering
28

The Broad Definition

 The engineer is the key figure in the material progress of the

world. It is his engineering that makes a reality of the
potential value of science by translating scientific knowledge
into tools, resources, energy and labor to bring them into the
service of man ... To make contributions of this kind the
engineer requires the imagination to visualize the needs of
society and to appreciate what is possible as well as the
technological and broad social…understanding to bring his
vision to reality.
 Engineering and Ethics
29

 If we accept these definitions of engineering, it is

crucial to realize the centrality of ethical concerns at
the core of the engineering enterprise
 Concern for social well being and humanity are part
of the very definition of engineering
 Assuming the intellectual rigor of these definitions,
the need of ethics in engineering id nothing
superfluous or added, but it is the essence of the
engineering profession
 Technological Democratism
30

 Synthesis: Technology is mediated, both acting on

and acted upon by society. Technology is so powerful
that philosophical thought about its development and
use is seriously needed
 Responsibility of being accountable for the effects of
technology on our lives and the ways in which
technology may involve values and possible hidden
social agendas
 Responsibility for engineers, corporations, and
society to deliberate together about how technology
can best be developed and used to promote the social
and human good
 Engineering and Social Values
31

 In view of the enormous power of technology and

science and the enormous potential risks they pose, it
is indispensable to stimulate and develop the
consciousness of the moral responsibility of
engineers

 There exists an urgent need to complement technical

knowledge with the development of values, attitudes,
and knowledge that facilitate professional and ethical
excellence
 It is necessary to develop social skills and team work
based in the respect for the proper values of civic and
social ethics
 Engineering

32

Science Humanities

The Segregation of Academic Disciplines/Fields of Study

Natural Science Humanities

Where should we put the academic study of Engineering on this continuum?

 Engineering as a Humanity
33

 Is Engineering more like Natural Science or more

like a field of studies in the Humanities?
 If you look at the very definition of engineering,
you will see that engineering is intimately
connected to the humanities because it is the
application of scientific theory to solve certain
problems of humanity—namely it’s need for
technology
 The Social and Professional Responsibilities of Engineers
by Deborah Johnson

I. “Guns for Hire”

Engineers should provide their skills to anyone irrespective of moral convictions
(within limits of law)

II. Personal and Professional Values

Engineers should refuse to work on projects they deem to conflict with their
(personal) morals

III. Risk and Public Consent

Engineers should refuse to work on projects that increase societal risk or degrade
public safety unless the public is informed and consents
34
 Technological Optimism
35

Technology gives rise to powerful enabling factors

which greatly enhance human powers and helps
maximize human freedom, decreases human
disease, and creates abundant material wealth and
well-being which heightens improved social
standards
 Solution – Engineers Must Think Philosophically and
Ethically About Technology and Social Values: Five Theses
36

1. Technology can be used to implement political

and social values
2. Technology can change our life world. It
produces “forms of life”
3. Technology can change our relationship to nature
4. Technology can require a certain type of political
or social organization
5. Technology can have embedded values
 Engineering graduates must demonstrate
following eleven general skills and abilities:
a. an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
b. an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret
data
c. an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs
within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political,
ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
d. an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
e. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
f. an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
g. an ability to communicate effectively
h. the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions
in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context
i. a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
j. a knowledge of contemporary issues
k. an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary
for engineering practice.
OUR PATH TO “DEVELOPMENT”
The Model of Development

 Increase wealth of nation through Planned

growth in agriculture and industry--emphasis
on centralized technologies
 The wealth would trickle down to masses thus
alleviating poverty
 Help to village industries only a stop gap
arrangement for ‘quick employment
generation’
WE NEED
HOLISTIC
GROWTH WITH
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Rural Technology
 Holistic Growth with Social justice

 Development should be holistic & Non-exploitative,

i.e. sustainable
 Possible only in “Self sufficient Village Republics ” :
Gram-swaraj & Swadeshi ---wealth generation in a
distributed manner & not re-distribution of wealth
generated centrally
 Need for Rural Industrialization--decentralised
production
Hope for the future ?
Role of Technical
Institutions…..some
suggestions?
Technical Feasibility Some
suggestions

 Develop technologies and management

practices to make decentralized production
competitive
 Student Projects ( at all levels)
 Practical training
 Rural entrepreneurship as a viable career

 Rural Energy & Infrastructure Development

Identify policy changes to give due recognition to such R&D work

Social Feasibility Some
suggestions

 Introduce Education in Human Values in the

Curriculum
 What , Why and How of Value inculcation ?
 Interaction of Science Technology and Human Values -
sustainable development
 Engineering Ethics
 Conduct Training programmes to sensitize
professional engineers , scientists & NGOs
 Some
Social Feasibility suggestions

 Introduce Education in Human Values in the

Curriculum
 What , Why and How of Value inculcation ?
 Interaction of Science Technology and Human Values -
sustainable development
 Engineering Ethics
 Conduct Training programmes to sensitize
professional engineers , scientists & NGOs
 Arguments/rationales for the Social Responsibility
of Engineers
49

1. Codes of Ethics
2. Professionalism
3. Social Contract Model
4. Engineering Societies
5. Principle of Proportionate Care
6. Engineering as Social Experimentation
7. The Intrinsic Purpose of Engineering Itself
8. The Impacts of Technology on Society
 Reintegrating Engineering and Philosophy
50

 “…Today's conflicts between the views that the humanities

hold of science and engineering and the views science and
engineering hold of the humanities weaken the very core of our
culture. Their cause is lack of integration in today's education
among subjects…A new…[multidisciplinary model]…is
needed to provide every educated person with a basic
understanding of the endeavors and instruments that help us
address our world and shape a new morality-the humanities,
in the noblest sense of the word, to civilize, science to
understand nature, and engineering, broadly defined, to
encompass the kindred activities that modify nature.
Integration of these endeavors is urgent…No domain can any
longer be considered and learned in isolation...”
 George Bugliarello,
A New Century

 20th Century:
 Physics, Electronics, and High-Speed
Communications and Transportation

 21st Century:
 Biology and Information,
 but also Energy, Water, and Sustainability
It’s not all about numbers, but …
r s.
• “Venture capital is the search for e
lv smart
s o
engineers.” le m
ro b
--Floyd Kvamme
e p
Kleiner-Perkins v
a t i
c r e
a r e
e rs
i ne
g
En
 Manufacturing Projects already
look like this.
• But with many more boxes and countries!

• For example, the new Boeing 787

– Reportedly has 132,500 engineered parts

– Produced in 545 global locations.

 A New Century with

New Technological Frontiers

With New Engineering Frontiers

Bio
Info
Nano

Smaller and Smaller

Faster and Faster
More and More Complex
Engineering Frontiers

Macro
Energy
Environment
Health Care
Manufacturing
Communications
Logistics

Larger and Larger

More and More Complex
Great Societal Importance
 Frontiers and Synergies

Natural Science Macro

Energy
Nano Environment
Bio Health Care
Info Manufacturing
Communications
Logistics

Science and Engineering

Are Merging.
Frontiers and Synergies
These engineering systems need
social science, management, and
humanities / communications.

Macro
Energy
Nano Environment
Bio Health Care
Info Manufacturing
Communications
Logistics
Social Science
 Frontiers and Synergies
Must be reflected in university education.

Natural Science Macro

Energy
Nano Environment
Bio Health Care
Info Manufacturing
Communications
Logistics
Social Science
The Payoff will come from
Bridging the Frontiers

Macro
Energy
Bio Bio-based materials Environment
Info Biomemetics Health Care
Nano Personalized, Predictive Manufacturing
Medicine Communications
Synthetic Biology Logistics
Biofuels
Etc.
 The Payoff will come from
Bridging the Frontiers
Our students must be prepared to do this.

Macro
Energy
Bio Bio-based materials Environment
Info Biomemetics Health Care
Nano Personalized, Predictive Manufacturing
Medicine Communications
Synthetic Biology Logistics
Biofuels
Etc.
 The Payoff will come from
Bridging the Frontiers
Our students must be prepared to do this.
re .
tu
e fu
e th
ap Macro
Bio
p sh
Bio-based materials
Energy
Info
he l
Biomemetics
Environment
Health Care
Nano
ers Personalized, Predictive Manufacturing
ne Medicine
gi
Communications

En
Synthetic Biology Logistics
Biofuels
Etc.
 In this New Century

Engineering is Dynamic
with Exciting Frontiers
and Grand Challenges
Engineering is not static.
 20th century Stovepipes:

 Scientists discovered.

 Engineers created.

 Doctors healed.
Engineering is not static.
 21st century science, engineering,and medicine are:

 Totally interdependent

 Blending together in new ways

Engineering is about Systems

 From nanobiological devices

 To large scale infrastructure

 To the earth itself

And Engineering Systems
include, interact with, and serve:

 People
 Economies
 Business
 Law
 Politics
 Culture …
Grand Challenges for Engineering

 Proposed by a committee of amazingly

accomplished and innovative people.

 Extremely challenging and important.

 Deemed to be doable in the next few decades.

 Engineering Grand Challenges

• Make Solar Energy Economical • Secure Cyberspace

• Provide Energy from Fusion • Prevent Nuclear Terror
• Develop Carbon Sequestration • Restore and Improve Urban
Methods Infrastructure
• Manage the Nitrogen Cycle
• Provide Access to Clean Water • Reverse Engineer the Brain
• Enhance Virtual Reality
• Engineer Better Medicines • Advance Personalized Learning
• Advance Health Informatics • Engineer the Tools of Scientific
Discovery
Engineering Grand Challenges

Energy Reducing Vulnerability to

Environment Human and Natural Threats
Global Warming
Sustainability

Expand and Enhance

Human Capability
Improve Medicine and And Joy
Healthcare Delivery
Think about these Challenges
 Some are imperative for human survival.

 Some will make us more secure against natural and human

threats.

 All will improve quality of life.

 Most are of global scale.

 th ,
r h eal
to ou
t ia l
se n
s e s y.
g i fe t
r n
i nd s a
n e e a
g i s,
En pines
h a p
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high.
Where knowledge is free.
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls.
Where words come out from the depth of truth.
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection.
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit.
Where the mind is led forward by Thee
Into ever-widening thought and action.
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.
Rabindranath Tagore