On this National Engineers Week, we should reflect on how Engineering has shaped humanity's past and is shaping humanity's present and future.
Engineering is derived from the Latin words "ingenium" meaning "cleverness" and "ingeniare" meaning "to devise". Engineering is essentially a clever way to solve problems. Engineering as a discipline has existed since the dawn of civilization and will exist for eternity.
Throughout history, the knowledge of engineering has been responsible for some of the most impressive human achievements. Egyptians used their engineering knowledge to build the pyramids, the Greeks built aqueducts or bridges, and the Romans built roads, and buildings that still stand today. Over time, engineers have built structures like buildings, bridges, roads, railways, and machines such as steam engines, telephones, light bulbs, automobiles, airplanes, and the computer that have transformed the world whilst pushing humanity towards progress. By applying scientific principles to the design of structures and machines, engineering has become an integral part of our daily lives.
Engineers play a pivotal role in almost all aspects of society today. From the buildings we live and work in, the vehicles we drive, the phones we have, and the internet we use, engineers and their abilities are countless. Engineering is at the epicenter of the development of new technologies which are aimed at enhancing the well-being of humanity. Renewable energy sources, medical technologies, space exploration, and TRANSPORTATION are all undergoing advancements at levels that could not have been comprehended a few decades ago. Thanks to engineering, the world is transforming, and humanity is making great strides towards progress.
To quote Albert Einstein: 'Scientists investigate that which already is, Engineers create that which has never been'. Engineers are transforming the world we live in for the better and are creating innovative solutions to address the challenges facing our world ranging from reliable communication, safe commute, climate change, and renewable sources of energy among multiple others. This is pushing the envelopes of human prosperity to new heights one day at a time.
The growing advancements in engineering being made every day make a career as a professional engineer fascinating. Future engineers will be required to not only solve problems by critical thinking but also collaborate with a variety of different professionals. Therefore, the demand for various types of engineers is expected to rise, increasing the need for more engineers. A few examples of such engineering professionals include civil engineers who will help transform the transportation systems and cities we live in, mechanical engineers who will enhance our modes of commute, biomedical engineers who will address complex health issues, and computer engineers who will develop the technology that will make all this possible.
It is crucial to have a new generation of engineers who can solve the critical challenges faced by humanity today. Engaging the younger generation by educating them on the transformation of engineering over the ages, current scenarios, and the fascinating possibilities of the future will ensure engineering keeps growing and evolving. Fields like Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Transportation Systems, Biomedical/Genetics, and Renewable energy need future engineers to think critically and bridge the knowledge gap to keep progressing and impacting lives positively. The new breed of engineers will influence how prosperous the world will be in terms of health, infrastructure, and technology. There are infinite opportunities within all engineering segments of engineering and as future engineers step up, the rate of progress will accelerate.
To conclude, engineering has evolved since the dawn of civilization and its advancements have transformed the way we live, work, commute, and communicate. Engineering has had a profound influence on the progress of humanity, and its legacy will be felt for generations to come. We should celebrate and appreciate the contributions of engineers who have paved the way for a prosperous future.
A very "Happy National Engineers Week" to all the past, present, and future ENGINEERS!!