W2T1: The Expanding World of Engineers

The Expanding World of Engineers

First paragraph:
In today’s world, systematic and critical thinking minds attract a premium. In the Singapore context, this is a direct result of an engineering tertiary education which, through its curriculum design and pedagogical approach, trains the mind to systematically analyze complex sets of information and to apply systems thinking in designing solutions.


It is a truth universally acknowledged that, in today’s world, systematic and critical thinking attracts a premium, especially, in engineers’ world.

People always think of engineers as skyscraper builder, cruise ship designer, and offshore tunnel digger. I would say that engineers are real-world problem solver. Whatever kind of problem occurs, the best solution is to hand it over to the engineers. That’s why systematic and critical thinking skills is a key part in engineering courses, which would enable engineers to quickly identify the cause and find the breakpoint from where the solution could be drawn.

Systematical and critical thinking skill is not to be taught directly (e.g. EG1413 Critical Thinking and Writing, etc), but, otherwise, gained through what we call interdisciplinary study.

Let’s take a look at the crisis that we are, or going to be, facing in the world: air pollution, rising of sea level, shortage of energy sources, and booming of population. These may not seem to be typical engineering problems (simply because no buildings or bridges are built), however, eventually, the measures which are taken to solve these problems are actually implemented by engineers. Suppose if the engineers, the implementers, do not have the basic background knowledge about the atmosphere, he does not even know the ratio of hydrogen and oxygen that he need in order to make a fire at the altitude of 8km. Science knowledge is required for engineers. There is a saying goes that two good engineers make a good scientist, which means, apparently, one engineer is half a scientist.

Still, possessing certain knowledge of chemistry, physics and computing is not quite enough for engineers in today’s world. More critical issues might pop up if they are not aware of ethical principles. As a good engineer, one should have completed personal value systems when he takes up this profession. Used oxygen cylinders are not to be discarded on Mount Everest, for example. A good value could always be used to testify the decision made. The justified value system, or ethical awareness, could be acquired in the process of learning and reading more humanistic books. (This is why I am so fascinated in psychology and philosophy.) Exactly, during the process of reading, more critical thinking would be inspired.