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Dt. 23-10-2012

Engineering : Its Paramount Relevance in Societal Development

by

V. K. Agarwal

Former Chairman Railway Board &

Ex-Officio Principal Secretary to Govt. of India.

1.0 Issues / Problems / Challenges

1.1 It is a good sign that the very great importance of the role of Engineering in

Development has been recognized through UNESCO’s Report titled “Engineering:

Issues, Challenges and Opportunities for Development (2010)” which is the first

Report of its kind to be produced by any International Organisation. Director General

of UNESCO has observed that this Report will also help in changing the image of

Engineering which is often considered as the “Unsung partner of Science”.

1.2 The critical roles of Engineering in addressing the large-scale pressing challenges

facing our societies worldwide are widely recognized. Such large-scale challenges

include access to affordable health care; tackling the coupled issues of energy,

transportation and climate change; providing more equitable access to information for

our populations; clean drinking water; natural and man-made disaster mitigation,

environmental protection and natural resource management amongst numerous others.

1.3 Engineering is the interface between Science/Technology on the one hand and

Society/Nature on the other. It provides ‘Products/Benefits’ to Society/Nature

keeping in view the ‘Resources/Needs’. As the ‘Needs’ change/increase and

‘Resources’ become scarce, Science/Technology have to be suitably remoulded for

assisting Engineering in its endeavours.

Engineering is all pervasive and almost every area of human interest, activity and

endeavour has a branch of Engineering associated with it.

1.4 Issues of sustainable development, poverty reduction and climate change are

fundamentally Engineering issues. Engineers have to broaden their design brief

beyond the traditional objectives of schedule, cost and conventional scope. They also

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need to include in their designs the broader societal necessities such as minimizing

water, energy and materials use, respect for human and cultural rights, and look out

for health and safety, not only within work but also in its impacts.

1.5 Engineering has always been multi-disciplinary in nature, combining physics,

chemistry and mathematics with creative design, invention and innovation; and its

scope is increasing. Engineers have to be increasingly aware of the social and

environmental impacts of technology, and have to work in complex teams, interacting

in conjunction with society.

1.6 Engineers have to tackle two issues of truly global proportions, viz., Climate Change

and Poverty Reduction. However, the growing population, reduced availability of

natural resources and environmental constraints call for new models of innovation

that focus on affordability and inclusive growth and lift people at the bottom of the

pyramid out of poverty and deprivation. This is a major challenge for

Engineering/Engineers.

1.7 Resolving these issues will require tremendous innovation and ingenuity by

Engineers, working alongside other technical and non-technical disciplines. It

requires Engineers ability to synthesize solutions and not simply their ability to

analyze problems. It needs the Engineers’ ability to take a Systems View at a range

of scales, from devices and products through to large scale delivery of infrastructure

services.

1.8 Society today is making ever-greater demands on Engineering, ranging from those

caused by exploding urbanization and by the endemic poverty of a quarter of world’s

population in the face of overall global affluence, to the mounting concerns about

availability of critical resources, the consequences of climate change and increasing

natural and man-made disasters. This confronts Engineering and Society not only

with unprecedented technical challenges, but also with a host of new ethical problems

that demand the development of Global Engineering Ethics. How far should

Engineering pursue the modifications of Nature? What are Engineerings’ roles and

responsibilities in Society? How should Engineering address problems of equity in

terms of the availability of resources and services of and between current and future

generations? Should concerns about global warming take precedence over the urgent

problem of poverty, or how can they be addressed together?

1.9 Sub-optimal performance on the part of Engineering/Engineers thus has a direct

adverse impact on Society/Nature. This puts a heavy responsibility on

Engineering/Engineers and they have to make all out efforts to ensure that their

performance not only improves but is par excellence. Further, in the complex societal

set up, growing complexities, globalization, technological evolution, problems of

climate change and poverty reduction, diminishing resources, etc., Engineering for

being Sustainable needs support from various Institutions, Governments, Business

Organisations, Society at large, Resources availability, etc. Engineers thus need high

level of ability to work alongside other technical and non-technical disciplines.

1.10 It is unfortunate that, under these circumstances of growing need for multi-talented

Engineers, the interest in Engineering among young people is waning in so many

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countries. Awareness of the importance and the changing nature of Engineering

needs to be raised in circles of Government as well as amongst the general public.

2.0 Some Suggestions for Engineers/Managers

2.1 Make things as simple as possible because complex solutions, even though apparently

impressive, are difficult to follow. It is not that the problems needing solution will be

simple as even an apparently small problem of removal of Jhuggis (Slums) along side

the railway tracks is complex and has several dimensions. Albert Einstein’s dictum is

to “Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler”.

2.2 For executing any job ‘Technical Skills’ alone will not suffice. Necessary ‘Human

Skills’ and ‘Conceptual Skills’ are also essential. Further, higher managerial levels

need more of ‘Conceptual Skills’.

2.3 For performing actions/activities, on a sustainable basis, in the best possible manner,

Five Es (Efficiency, Effectiveness, Ethics, Environment & Evolution) could be listed.

These Five Es are equally relevant for better sustainable performance of Teams,

Systems and Organisations also. (See Box 1)

Box 1

Five E’s of Sustainable Development

If one is asked to choose parameters which can help an individual to

perform all his actions/activities, on a sustainable basis, in the best possible

manner, the following Five E’s could be listed :

i) Efficiency

ii) Effectiveness

iii) Ethics : Essential for sustainable performance.

iv) Environment : Be in tune; Don’t damage; Improve, if possible.

v) Evolution : Create positive impact on the value structure.

Efficiency covers all activities, which make actions efficient and will,

interalia, include efficient time management, good physical and mental health,

possession of adequate knowledge and skills, will to do the job, positive attitude,

doing things right the first time, low stress levels, etc.

Effectiveness will mean that the actions result in achieving useful goals

for which it will be essential to have necessary vision, broad idea of goals to be

achieved, systems to be followed to reach the goals, necessary co-ordination/co-

operation with other individuals/organizations, conscious realization of one’s

capacity/capability levels etc.

Ethics is essential for sustainable development and performance. It also

helps in arriving at solutions, which are more equitable (concern for Equity).

It reduces stress levels, as ethical paths can be very clearly charted as against the

paths which are followed for achieving the goals through unethical means. Contd.

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Environment has to be seen in a broader context and may include

physical environment, working environment, political environment, financial

environment and the like. Activities have to be performed keeping these in mind,

lest they trigger reactions which may be difficult to control. Further, actions

should not damage the Environment rather, improve it to the extent possible.

Actions must support the process of Evolution and Development in the

positive direction for all those connected with the activities. Decline in human

values can be detrimental to the society.

For better performance on a sustainable basis these parameters, i.e.,

the Five ‘Es’ are equally relevant to a Group of Individuals (Teams),

Activities, Systems, Organizations and even the Nations. Efforts should be

directed to continuously improve upon them.

2.4 Ethics is essential for sustainability. The ‘Ethics Check’ proposed by Norman Peale

could be used as a broad guide. (See Box 2)

Box 2

Ethics Check

Ethics is difficult to define and complicated definitions will not be of

much help to a manager. The three ‘ethics check’ questions, suggested by Peale,

Norman Vincent (1988), are a good guide and one can use them to determine

whether the action is ethical or not. The three questions are (i) Is it legal, i.e.

whether one will be violating either a civil law or an organisational policy? (ii) Is

it balanced, i.e. whether it is fair to all concerned in the short term as well as in

the long term? and (iii) How will it make one feel about himself? Would one feel

good if the decision was published in a newspaper or his family knew about it? If

the answer to any of the three questions is in the negative then the concerned

action is not ethical.

2.5 As Ethics is essential for Sustainability, the Sustainability of Ethics becomes even

more important. Answer to this problem could be found in Ancient Indian Philosophy

where sustenance of Dharma (Moral Values/Ethical Values) is guided by a Higher

Principle, viz., Moksha.

2.6 In this intensively competitive world human capabilities of

‘Obedience/Diligence/Intellect’ play a much smaller role vis-à-vis

‘Initiative/Creativity/Passion’. Since the later group cannot be taught in class rooms,

every effort must be made to nurture and develop them using innovative methods.

2.7 Systems are very important in a complex interconnected environment and must be

followed with precision. Further, to take care of the fast changing environment, these

should be periodically reviewed and updated.

2.8 Systems Approach helps the managers handling a particular Sub-system not to remain

confined within their ‘organisation charts’ and to see the System as a whole. The

System’s Approach recognises the Interconnectedness / Interrelationship /

Interdependence of several Sub-Systems of any given System.

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2.9 Efforts should be to develop and graduate from the level of ‘Engineer’ to ‘Engineer-

Manager’ through work experience and/or training in Management Engineering. Our

Country badly needs ‘Engineer-Managers’ to successfully oversee and execute

complex projects/enterprises from conception to completion. This is being specially

mentioned because Engineers without Management expertise or Managers without

Engineering expertise are ill-equipped to handle such complex projects/enterprises

and the poor execution record of such projects/enterprises in our Country is an ample

testimony to this fact.

2.10 Futuristic studies have been with us for a long time, but the term ‘foresight’ has only

come into wide use in recent years. Need to shape Development so that new

technologies could prove more socially and environmentally beneficial and the

concerns for ‘innovation’ which is now recognized as a key element for achieving

socio-economic objectives, need necessary ‘Technology Foresight’.

3.0 Some Areas Needing Directed Action

3.1 Engineering activities are a part of larger Social / Environmental System

Engineering is the interface between Science/Technology and Society / Nature.

Climate change and Poverty reduction are major challenges. Availability of

Resources is becoming a major constraint. Almost every area of human interest,

activity and endeavour has a branch of Engineering associated with it. Our

Innovations need to be frugal with scarce resources, affordable to our poorest citizens,

and environmentally sustainable. All Engineers, irrespective of their specific

branch/discipline, have to share this role/shoulder this responsibility. In this direction

following two Educational Modules for all the Engineers will be very useful.

i. Engineering, Society, Nature and Ethics

ii. Various Engineering Branches and the recent Inventions/Innovatives therein.

Details of the Modules could be worked out by a Nominated Group of Experts and

these could be updated once a year based on inputs from the Field. This will help

Engineers to better play their role, understand needs of Society/Nature, and plan

Innovations accordingly. Inter-disciplinary exposure will assist in cross fertilization of

ideas.

3.2 Regulation/Good Governance

Societal prosperity depends on Regulated use of scarce Natural Resources (Nature)

and using appropriate Technology for the purpose. The broad relationship between

Nature, Technology and Regulation is as under (Ref.: Goodal – 2008):

(a) Nature – Technology + Regulation = Poverty

(b) Nature + Technology – Regulation = Plunder

(c) Nature + Technology + Regulation = Prosperity

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Further, Regulation needs Good Governance.

Good Governance is a very vast and complex issue and the Author is not competent to

delve on this vitally important area. Several Committees have already examined it

earlier and many actions have been/are being taken. However, the following three

suggestions may help in the process :

1. People’s faith in their Ruler (currently Leaders/Administrators) is most important

and without it they cannot exist was the dictum of noted Chinese Philosopher

Confucius. In the current Political/Administrative/Managerial environment we

find wide spread lack of Faith at levels. This is a major road block to Good

Governance/Administration/Management. How to improve the matters is a big

question mark but even a conscious realization of the situation may improve

matters.

Taking recourse to ‘logic’ alone to correct the situation may not help as in human

relations ‘perception’ is far more important than ‘logic’. (Ref.: Edward De Bono -

2009). Further, we will have to explore new methods for effective dispute

resolution like the ‘six hat’ method proposed by Edward De Bono (2004).

2. Modular Matching of the Geographical/Territorial jurisdictions of various

Functionaries and also of the Departmental Patterns at various Organisational

Levels will greatly help in improved and directed communications enhancing

operational efficiency.

3. The ‘Core’ and ‘Subsidiary’ concept can be gainfully used for several Laws/Rules

for effecting considerable overall simplification.

3.3 Project Management

While we can boast of our ‘Planning’ abilities but our ‘Execution’ record on most

fronts has been below par and Project execution is no exception. Project Management

today is no longer an issue concerned only with Planning, Scheduling, Estimating and

Cost Control but several other issues and processes have got integrated with it like

Total Quality Management, Concurrent Engineering, Risk Managemnt, etc. (Ref.:

Kerzner - 2003)

As already mentioned in Para 2.9, Engineers without Management expertise or

Managers without Engineering expertise are ill equipped to handle complex projects.

We need talented, competent and experienced ‘Engineer-Managers’ for the purpose.

Indifferent Government policies, waning interest of bright people in relevant

Engineering disciplines, prevailing predominance of ‘generalist’ and ‘financial’

cultures are some of the factors affecting development of suitable ‘Engineer-

Managers’. This situation needs urgent action/correction as successful execution of

complex projects, without time and cost overruns, will be the mainstay of our

economy/growth.

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3.4 Innovations

Innovation is increasingly going beyond the confines of formal R&D. Today

innovation can mean new and unique applications of new technologies, using designs

to develop new products and services, new processes and structures to improve

performance in diverse areas, organisational creativity, and public sector initiatives to

enhance delivery of services. Innovation is being seen as a means of creating

sustainable and cost effective solutions for people at the bottom of the pyramid, and is

being viewed as an important strategy for inclusive growth in developing countries.

The National Innovation Council (NIC) under the Chairmanship of Mr. Sam Pitroda,

Advisor to the PM on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovation (PIII) is

preparing a road map for Innovation 2010-2020. The NIC will act as a platform to

facilitate the engagement and collaboration of domain experts, stakeholders and key

participants to create an innovation movement in India. The aim is to herald a mindset

change and create a push at the grassroots level so that more and more people in

education, business, government, NGOs, urban and rural development engaged in

innovative activities are co-opted and become part of shaping the national level

innovation policy.

Since greater role and involvement of people at the bottom of the pyramid is

contemplated, role of Engineers becomes even more relevant in the Innovation

process.

3.5 Climate Change

To give a thrust to this vital area National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)

has been prepared and was released in June 2008 by the Prime Minister. The eight core

missions and the Broad Goals of NAPCC can be seen in Box 3.

Box 3

No. National Mission Goals

1. National Solar Mission Specific goals for increasing the use of solar

thermal technologies in urban areas, industry,

and commercial establishments; Long term aim

is to make solar competitive with fossil based

energy.

2. National Mission for Enhanced

Energy Efficiency

Initiatives based on the Energy Conservation Act

2001.

3. National Mission on Sustainable

Habitat

Extending the existing Energy Conservation

Building Code; Emphasis on urban waste

management and recycling, including power

production from waste; In the Transport Sector it

calls for stronger enforcement of automotive fuel

economy standards, using pricing measures to

encourage the purchase of efficient vehicles, and

providing incentives for use of public transport.

Contd.

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4. National Water Mission

20% improvement in water use efficiency

through pricing and other measures.

5. National Mission for Sustaining the

Himalayan Ecosystem

Conservation of biodiversity, forest cover, and

other ecological values in the Himalayan region,

where glaciers are likely to recede.

6. National Mission for a “Green

India”

Expanding forest cover from 23% to 33%.

7. National Mission for Sustainable

Agriculture

Promotion of sustainable agricultural practices.

8. National Mission on strategic

Knowledge for Climate Change

The plan envisions a new Climate Science

Research Fund that supports activities like

climate modeling, and increased international

collaboration; It also seeks to encourage private

sector initiatives to develop adaptation and

mitigation technologies.

It will be seen that the ‘Missions’ cover a wide range of aspects including solar

technologies, enhanced energy efficiency, technology development and research, fuel

economy and efficient transport vehicles, and incentives to use public transport, etc.

However, the benefits which could accrue by modal shift to more environment friendly

modes of transport have not been explicitly covered. This is an area which has a lot of

potential as Transport is a major polluter while remaining an essential need of the

Economy.

3.6 Improving the ‘Image’ and the ‘Role’ of Engineering

The Government/Society must recognize the Role which Engineering/Engineers are

playing in Development and should take adequate steps to suitably empower them. In

this direction following are suggested :

1. Boundaries between Science, Technology and Engineering have to be made more

explicit. Engineering should no longer be the ‘Unsung Partner of Science’.

2. The scope of present ‘Science and Technology Policy’ of the Government of India

(currently there is no Engineering Policy) has to expand to include ‘Engineering’

also or else a separate ‘Engineering Policy’ needs to be developed.

3. There is need to have an ‘Engineering Advisor’ to the Govt. of India on the lines

of present ‘Scientific Advisor’.

4. To have Engineers in Government who have direct contact with the ground

realities in the States and who come to the Centre for short stints to get an overall

National View and also share their Field experience from their respective States,

there is need to have an ‘Indian Engineering Service’ which should be an All-

India Service on the patterns of IAS, IPS & IFS. Formation of such a Service will

not only send a signal about the importance of the role of Engineering/Engineers

which the Government acknowledges but will also enhance Inter-State

cooperation in this vital field of Engineering. More talented Engineers from

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diverse States joining the proposed “Indian Engineering Service” will also help in

National/Technological integration.

5. Various Institutions and others should project the important role which

Engineering/Engineers are playing/have to play in Development to educate Public.

This will enhance the Public image of Engineering and will also result in better

public support for related Projects in addition to attracting better talent to the

Profession.

References / Selected Reading

1. Agarwal, V. K. : “Managing Indian Railways – The Future Ahead”, Manas Publications

(2004).

2. Edward De Bono : “How to Have a Beautiful MInd” – Vermilion (2004).

3. Edward De Bono : “Think – Before it’s Too Late” – Vermilion (2009).

4. Goodal, Chris : “Ten Technologies to Save the Planet” – Green Profile, UK (2008).

5. Kerzner, Harold : “Project Management – A Systems Approach”, John Wily (2003).

6. Michio Kaku : “Physics of the Future – How Science will Shape Human Destiny and

Our Daily Lives by the Year 2100”, Allen Lane, 2011.

7. Navi Radjou, Jaideep Prabhu and Simone Ahuja : “Jugaad Innovation – A Frugal and

Flexible Approach to Innovation for the 21st Century”, Random House India (2012).

8. Peale, Norman Vincent : “The Power of Ethical Management”, Fawcert Crest, New

York (1988).

9. UNESCO Report : “Engineering : Issues, Challenges and Opportunities for Development”,

UNESCO (2010).

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Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning. - Albert Einstein

Scientists investigate that which already is; Engineers create that which has never been. - Albert Einstein

Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted. - Albert Einstein

Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius – and a lot of courage – to move in the opposite direction. - Albert Einstein

It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education. - Albert Einstein