Engineers in Society

NCB40102

Nagur Aziz Kamal Bashah, PEng., PhD.

Universiti Kuala Lumpur
International College

Outcome Based Education

(OBE)
OBE means starting with a clear picture of what is important for students to
be able to do, then organising the curriculum, instruction, and assessment to
make sure that this learning ultimately happens.
(Spady, 1994)

Programme Educational Objectives

(PEO/PO)
PEO No.
PEO1
PEO2
PEO3
PEO4

PROGRAM EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

To produce technically qualified mechanical engineers who will contribute
towards the human capital in the related industry.
To produce mechanical engineers with the ability to advance themselves
in an engineering, technical or academic field.
To produce mechanical engineers who practice professionalism with
ethics and social responsibility.
To produce mechanical engineers who are capable of embarking on
business and technopreneurial activities.

Programme Learning Outcome

(PO/PLO)
PLO 1

Engineering Knowledge - Apply knowledge of mathematics, science, engineering fundamentals and mechanical engineering to the
solution of complex engineering problems;

PLO 2

Problem Analysis - Identify, formulate, research literature and analyse complex mechanical engineering problems reaching
substantiated conclusions using first principles of mathematics, natural sciences and engineering sciences;

PLO 3

PLO 4

PLO 5
PLO 6

PLO 7
PLO 8
PLO 9
PLO 10
PLO 11
PLO 12

Design/Development of Solutions - Design solutions for complex mechanical engineering problems and design systems, components
or processes that meet specified needs with appropriate consideration for public health and safety, cultural, societal, and environmental
considerations;
Investigation - Conduct investigation into complex problems using research based knowledge and research methods including design
of experiments, analysis and interpretation of data, and synthesis of information to provide valid conclusions;
Modern Tool Usage - Create, select and apply appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering and IT tools, including
prediction and modelling, to complex mechanical engineering activities, with an understanding of the limitations;
The Engineer and Society - Apply reasoning informed by contextual knowledge to assess societal, health, safety, legal and cultural
issues and the consequent responsibilities relevant to professional engineering practice;
Environment and Sustainability - Understand the impact of professional engineering solutions in societal and environmental contexts
and demonstrate knowledge of and need for sustainable development;
Ethics - Apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics and responsibilities and norms of engineering practice;
Communication - Communicate effectively on complex engineering activities with the engineering community and with society at large,
such as being able to comprehend and write effective reports and design documentation, make effective presentations, and give and
receive clear instructions;
Individual and Team Work - Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader in diverse teams and in multidisciplinary settings;
Life Long Learning - Recognise the need for, and have the preparation and ability to engage in independent and life-long learning in
the broadest context of technological change.
Project Management and Finance - Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of engineering, entrepreneurship and management
principles and apply these to ones own work, as a member or leader in a team, to manage projects and in multidisciplinary
environments.

Course Learning Outcome

(CLO)
Upon completion of this course students should be able to:

CLO1

Analyze ethical and professionalism issues in engineering.

CLO2

Evaluate the decisions related to contemporary issues from a

balanced ethical and engineering standpoint.

CLO3

Coordinate both oral and written communication functions with a

solid and competent ethical and engineering background.

CLO vs PLO

PLO6
(The Engineer & Society)

CLO 1

CLO 2
CLO 3

PLO8
(Ethics)

PLO9
(Communication)

x
x
x

Course Outline &

Assessment
Assessment Methods
Method
Tests x 2
Assignments x 2
Final Exam

%
20 (CLO 1,2)
20 (CLO 2,3)
60 (CLO 1,2,3)

Engineers in Society
NCB40102

TOPIC 1

Engineers and Society

Engineering as
a Profession
Who are Engineers?
Engineers are people who make things work
Technological problem-solver
Inventor
Designer, Manager, Investigator, Applied Scientist,

Engineers in Society
What is an Engineer?
A person whose job is designing & building engines, machines,
roads, bridges etc. (Oxford Dictionary, 2006)
& Society?
An organized group of persons associated together for religious,
benevolent, cultural, scientific, political, patriotic, or other purpos
es.

Engineers in Society?
An Engineer can be regarded as a person whose principal duty is
to apply knowledge to create practical devices, structures and
processes to serve mankind via
economics, political and cultural dynamics.

Engineers in Society

Engineers & Society

Engineering is a great profession.
There is a fascination of watching a
figment of the imagination emerge,
through the aid of science, to a plan on
paper. Then it moves to realization in
stone or metal or energy. Then it brings
jobs home to men. Then it elevates the
standards of living and adds to the
comfort of life. That is the engineer's
high privilege.To the engineer falls the
job of clothing the bare bones of science
with life, comfort, and hope
-Herbert Hoover (US mining engineer & 31st
President of the US) (1874 - 1964)
13

Engineers in Society
What is the role of the engineer to society?

Do we need them?
Why not scientists?
Are engineers professionals?
Is there a relationship between the society and the engineer?
Is society better from engineering?

Engineers in Society
Ethics

Professionalism

Engineers
in
Society

SHE

Nation

Divine Intervention
Ethics

Professionalism

Nation

SHE

Divine Intervention
How do you get divine intervention?
1. On values and actions
Be a good human being (a pre-requisite to be a
leader)

White

The quality of an individual is reflected in the standards

they set for themselves - Ray Kroc

2. On Ethics
Operate in the white (not grey and black)
Step into the grey but step back into the white
(never stay in the grey too long)
If you stay in the grey, your conscience is
modified to see grey / black as acceptable

Grey

Black

An Engineer
is a Professional
A professional is a person who is
paid to undertake a specialized
set of tasks and to complete them
for a fee
Due to the personal and
confidential nature of many
professional services, a great deal
of trust is placed them.

Image is important!
Your image is what people will remember

How you carry yourself is a statement of who you are

Responsibility to Society
Engineer are members of the society.
Serve public through Development of Day-to-day products,
Various Engineering Works and Exploration of Energy, etc...
The publics interest is protected in terms of Safety, Health
and Welfare/Environmental
Safety
- The issue of engineering is related to accidents or disaster
Health
- Discharging hazardous materials to surrounding will
contaminate source of water
Welfare
- Non-provision of facilities for the disabled blind people

Exercise...
Acting as an Engineer
Rank these engineering criteria in order of importance
Economics
Security
Safety
Reliability

Exercise...
Acting as a Consumer
Rank these engineering criteria in order of importance
Economics
Security
Safety
Reliability

The Dilemma
Engineer View
Safety
Security
Reliability
Economics

Consumer View
Safety
Economics
Reliability
Security

Roles of
Engineers in Society
Engineers are builders and problem solvers who
provide link between theory & practice.
Engineers as Designer that creates engineering
products, material specification, & mathematical
model to predict product behavior.
Engineers as Manager that plan, organizes,
coordinates, controls, executes, and achieves
project/ product objectives.

Roles of
Engineers in Society
Engineers as Investigator that checks the condition
of products (defect, failure, imperfection find
solution to solve problem)
Engineers as Innovator that able to make good
decision consistently; have critical thinking mindset, out of box thinking in solving problems &
developing product/ ideas.

Characteristics of
an Engineer
Communication skill ability to use language &
express information
Logical thinking reasoning based on the rules of
formal logic
Involve in Community active in a locality &
surroundings
Honesty the quality or fact of being honest,
uprightness, and fairness

Characteristics of
an Engineer
Common sense sound & prudent judgment based
on simple perception of situation or facts
Continue Education instructional program that
provide up to date knowledge & skills

Interpersonal skill to properly interact with

others (society)
Leadership art of motivating a group of people to
act towards achieving a common goal

Characteristics of
an Engineer
Quantitative thinking involves numbers &
measurements, looking at the size of things
Creativity tendency to generate or recognize
ideas, alternative, assumptions to solve problems

Curiosity to be curious about problems, solutions;

sensitive, active

Source: Introduction to Engineering, 3rd Ed., Wright, P.H

(2002) John Wiley & Sons, USA

Main Criteria
for Professionals
Expert and specialized knowledge in field which one is practicing
professionally.
Excellent manual/practical and literary skills in relation to
profession.
High quality work in (examples): creations, products, services,
presentations, consultancy, primary/other research, administrative,
marketing, photography or other work endeavours.
A high standard of professional ethics, behaviour and work activities
while carrying out one's profession.
Reasonable work morale and motivation.
Appropriate treatment of relationships with colleagues.
A professional is an expert who is a master in a specific field.
They accept responsibility and accountability for the decisions they
make.

Benefits for being

Professional Engineers

Licensed Engineer
Job satisfaction
Variety of career opportunities
Challenging work
Intellectual development
Benefit society
Financial Security
Prestige
Professional environment
Technological and scientific discovery
Creative Thinking

Quotes

What is Engineering?
The profession in which math and science - gained by study,
experience, and practice - is applied with judgment to develop ways to
economically use the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of
society.

What is Engineering?
The central focus of the engineering
profession is the application of scientific
knowledge to meet societal needs.
Engineering connects pure science to
society
Engineering therefore has a social
responsibility

What is Engineering?

Scientist &
an Engineer?
Scientist:
Develops knowledge from
analysis and study
Characteristic activity:
research
Work in fields such as:
Biology
Chemistry
Physics

A practitioner of science is a
scientist

Engineer:
Uses knowledge of math and
science to create something new
Characteristic activity: creative
design
Work in disciplines such as:
Civil Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering

A practitioner of engineering is
an engineer

Scientist &
an Engineer?
Scientists discover the world that
exists; engineers create the world that
never was.
- Theodore Von Karman, Aerospace Engineer

Engineering is the application of science to the common

purpose of life- Count Rumford
The main focus of the scientist is to develop knowledge and
understanding of the physical universe. Science is the pursuit
of knowledge in its purest sense without any concern to the
needs of society, whereas engineering is the combination of
both.

History of Engineering
1200 B.C.
Siege towers are perfected
Greeks develop
manufacturing
Archimedes introduces
mathematics in Greece
Concrete is used for
arched bridges, roads and
aqueducts in Rome

History of Engineering
1400 - 1800
First toilet is invented in
England
Otto von Guerick shows the
existence of a vacuum
Issac Newton constructs first
reflecting telescopes
Boyles Gas Law, stating
pressure varies inversely with
volume, is first introduced
Society of Engineers, a
professional engineering
society, is formed in London

History of Engineering
What are engineers working on
today?
Alpine Mega Tunnel a 95 mile
tunnel through the Swiss Alps
the longest tunnel in the world
Perdido Spar (Shell Oil) worlds
deepest oil well. Located in
more than 9,000 feet of water, 2
miles off the coast of Texas
Battery technology working to
create faster charging and
longer lasting batteries

Engineering Disciplines
Building
Construction
Environmental
Geotechnical
Highway
Hydraulic
Mining
Municipal
Structural
Transport
Water Resources

Computer
Electronics
Telecommunication
Bio-Medical

Civil

Mechanical

Electrical

Chemical

Aeronautical
Agricultural
Automotive
Building Services
Manufacturing
Marine
Material
Mechatronic
Metallurgical
Mining
Naval Architecture
Nuclear

Bio-Chemical
Bio-Engineering
Energy (Fuel, Natural
gas
Environmental
Petroleum
Process (Polymer,
Textile,
Pharmaceutical, Food)

Engineering Disciplines
Electrical Engineers

Work with electricity, electromagnetic fields, and light

Design products such as cell phones, computers,
antennas, televisions, and appliances
Design power generation and distribution systems

Mechanical Engineers

Work with machines and systems that

involve the production and use of heat
Design cars, heating and air conditioning systems,
and manufacturing systems

Biomedical Engineers

Work with the mechanical and chemical

properties of the human body
Design prosthetic devices and medical diagnostic systems

Engineering Disciplines
Civil Engineers

Work with physics and materials

Design buildings, roads, bridges, storm water systems

Chemical Engineers

Work with physics, chemistry and biology

Design medicines, fertilizers, semiconductors, food
additives (such as flavorings)

Aerospace Engineers

Work with aerodynamics, propulsion and navigation

Design aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, missiles, and rockets

There are many more disciplines!

Responsibility to Society

Responsibility to Society

Distinguishing Between Engineers

& Technicians
Engineer

Technician

Jobs are not always predictable and

require decision making

Routine, predictable and minimum

decision making

Multiple responsibilities & and

perform various functions

Skillful at performing designated task

Must understand the Technician Jobs

through basic knowledge at
University and internship training

Work with Engineers

Plan and manage projects

Follow the tasks as required in

projects/process

Expectations &Realities
In reality, engineer is not only involved in DESIGN WORK.
A Large proportion of time is spent COMMUNICATING with
various people to ensure the objectives of tasks are met
His responsibilities include:
Gaining information from other engineers
Dealing with clients
Dealing with Authority
Monitoring and guiding subordinates
Troubleshooting of breakdown

Professionalism
in Society
Professionalism?

The
skill/standards,
good
judgment/conduct,
polite
behaviour/attitude and views that characterize a profession or a
professional person is expected from a person who is trained to do a
job well.
Ethics and Professionalism are related
Is a way of life.

The characteristics are:

Extensive Training
Vital Knowledge and skills
Control of services
Autonomy in the workplace
Claim to ethical regulation

Professionalism
in Society

Extensive Training

Professionalism
in Society

Entrance into a profession requires an extensive period of

training, this training is of an intellectual character.
Many occupations require extensive apprenticeship and
training and often require practical skills.
Most professionals have at least a bachelors degree from a
college or university.
Many professions require more advanced degrees, which
often conferred by a professional school.
Thus, the professions are usually closely allied in our society
with universities or professional bodies.

Professionalism
in Society
Vital knowledge and Skills
Professionals knowledge and skills are vital to the well-being of
the larger society
A society that has a sophisticated scientific and technological base
is especially dependent on its professional elite.
Examples:
The knowledge possessed by doctors is vital to protect us from
disease and live in good health.
The accountant knowledge is important on business success or
when we have to file tax returns.
The knowledge of engineers for safety in usage of day-to-day
products, safety in an airplane, other technological advances and
for national defense.

Control of services

Professionalism
in Society

Professions usually have monopoly or control over the provision of

professional services in their area.
Achieved in two ways.
i. The profession convinces the community that only those who
graduated from professional school should be allowed to hold the
professional title. The profession establish accreditation standard
that regulate the quality, curriculum content and number of such
schools.
ii. A profession attempts to persuade a society that there should be a
licensing system those who want to enter the profession. Those who
practice without a license are subject to legal penalties.
Although it can argued, it is necessary to protect the public from
unqualified practitioners, it also increases the power of professionals
in the marketplace.

Professionalism
in Society
Autonomy in workplace
Professionals often have an unusual degree of autonomy in the
workplace.
Require a large degree of individual judgment and creativity on
carrying out their professional responsibilities
Example: An engineer must select the material of tooling according
to its application, life cycle, cost, delivery, etc. Give example...
Selection of SKD 11 or SX of 1.4 thickness
The justification for this unusual degree of autonomy is that only
professional has sufficient knowledge to determine the appropriate
professional services in a given situation.

Professionalism
in Society
Claim to ethical regulation
Professional claims to be regulated by ethical standards, many of
which are embodied in a code of ethics.
To avoid an obvious temptation for abuse and limit these abuses by
regulating themselves for the public benefits.
Professional codes are ordinarily promoted by professional
societies/boards that regulate the professions.
Sometimes, professional societies attempt to punish members who
violate the codes.
Boards have much stronger legal powers, including the ability to
withdraw professional licenses and even institute criminal
proceedings.
These regulatory agencies are controlled by professionals
themselves.

Professionalism
in Society
The important concept of professionalism:
i.

A profession cannot be composed of only one person. It is always

composed of a number of individuals.
ii. A profession involves a public element.
iii. A profession is something that people enter into voluntarily and
that they can leave voluntarily.
iv. Professionals must pursue a morally praiseworthy goal by
morally permissible means.
v. Ethical standards in a profession should obligate professionals
to act in some way that goes beyond what law, market, morality,
and public opinion would otherwise require.

Professionalism
in Society
5 Keys to Being a True Professional
Character - Aspects of a professionals character include integrity, honesty,
truthfulness, forthrightness, trustworthiness, being responsible, being diligent, doing
what is right, and projecting a professional image.

Attitude - Having a professional attitude means, adopting a service mentality, seeking

responsibility, having determination, and being a team player.

Excellence - To excel as a professional you must press for excellence, strive for
continual improvement, be attentive, and follow instructions.

Competency - Professional competency in your field is a combination of expertise,

performance, personal effectiveness, and being a good communicator.

Conduct - Professionals conduct themselves with maturity, manners, loyalty, respect

for authority, confidences, confidentiality, and a touch of class.

Core Qualities of
Professional Practitioners
Professional practitioners of all disciplines,
need six core qualities:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.

Integrity
Independence
Impartiality
Responsibility
Competence
Discretion

Core Qualities of
Professional Practitioners
Integrity
This involves the discovery and communication of truth.
It is not simply truthfulness and avoid telling lies, but the capacity
to communicate the truth in such a way to enable the clients and
others to make informed decisions.
Honesty and integrity are essential for the development of trust.
It leads to consistency of character and operation in different
situation and contexts
A good test of this is not just consistent operation in different
context but also how the individual operates when there is nobody
around, testing consistency and truth against personal attributes

Core Qualities of
Professional Practitioners
Independence
The professional is independent of pressure group
To achieve independence, the professional must understand the
situation and the key players in that situation.
Independence enables the person not to be drawn into the
concerns of any particular group
By virtue of his special knowledge, the professional has an
intrinsic authority
He also has an extrinsic authority vested in him by virtue of the
positions he holds. Such authority leads many people to accept
directions given by him despite any clearly acceptable outcomes.
Professionals must respect and encourage others to accept their
responsibilities.

Core Qualities of
Professional Practitioners
Impartiality
Impartiality enables the professional to fulfill his contract with his
client, and to treat all parties equally. There is a need not to give
primacy to self-interest, self-advancement, pressure of
management roles, since in so doing, priorities for the
achievement of programmes and cost targets may cloud
professional judgment

Core Qualities of
Professional Practitioners
Responsibility
Responsibility involves the realistic assessment of skills and
capacities and the acceptance of their possibilities and limitations.
This is a core virtue on enabling the professional to acknowledge
the responsibility of others, to accept professional responsibility
and to work as a team an essential part of modern engineering
projects.
Problems arise when professionals develop an inflated sense of
responsibility, seeing themselves as responsible for more than
they can be or ought to be. Realism is critical to ensure the best
contribution from all members of the team.

Core Qualities of
Professional Practitioners
Competence
Perseverance is necessary for the acquisition of technical
competence and for its application in solving technical problems.
This involves the capacity to strive for and maintain the
competence in professional practice
Competence is essential if the professional is to fulfill his or her
responsibilities to society. The ethical requirement is in the
acknowledgement of the need to be competent, rather than in the
competence itself.

Core Qualities of
Professional Practitioners
Discretion

In the course of projects, the professional will become aware of many

aspects of the affairs of clients, contractors or other interested
parties, and for him to retain the essential trust of those parties is
important.
Information must be treated on a need to know basis, and not
transmitted unnecessarily to others
In some cases, on defense project, for example, consultants will be
under an agreement not to divulge information to others.
The responsibility placed upon the professional to act on behalf of
others will be increased, his impartiality and independence assuming
great importance
He must be able to raise matters concern with his clients and, if need
be, with higher authorities if he is seriously concerned about the
consequences of some actions.

Core Qualities of
Professional Practitioners
The professional can be considered as playing several roles in
society, he/she can be a:
Saviour the professional as the key player in the creation of a
society with the development of technology and material
prosperity for all.
Guardian ensuring the best interest of society, based upon
engineering knowledge.
Bureaucratic servant a servant to managers, translating
directives into achievements.
Social Servant an obedient social servant to others
Game player playing successfully within the organization,
competing to win, increases productivity and engagement.

Separating Oil from Water

Di Gao, a chemical engineer at the University of
Pittsburg, invented a plastic-coated cotton material
that could clean up the Gulf.

Designing Better Cars

Marcus Ashford, a mechanical engineer at the
University of Alabama, has invented a car engine
with 80% less exhaust emissions.

Cleaning Up the Ocean

Alexandria Boehm is an environmental engineer
who works on ways to clean up oceans near where
people live.

Designing Space Colonies

Kimberly Jones is a civil engineer working on
purifying water so that we can one day go to Mars!!!

Controlling Computers with Thoughts

Daniel Moran, a biomedical engineer at Washington
University, has invented a way to play video games
using only the human mind!

Listening for Cancer

John Viator, a biological engineer, has invented a
way to hear cancer cells.

Who is an Engineer?

Tom Scholz Founder and

lead singer of the band
Boston
Engineer?

Who is an Engineer?

Tom Scholz Founder and

lead singer of the band
Boston
Yes!
Graduated with a Bachelors
and Masters degree in
mechanical engineering
from MIT.

Who is an Engineer?

Jimmy Carter - 39th President

Engineer?

Who is an Engineer?

Jimmy Carter - 39th President

Yes!
Graduated from the Naval
Academy with a Bachelors
Degree in nuclear
engineering. Served on a
submarine, as a Navy Officer
operating the nuclear power
plant.

Who is an Engineer?

Rowan Atkins AKA Mr.

Bean comedian
Engineer?

Who is an Engineer?

Rowan Atkins AKA Mr.

Bean comedian
Yes!
Graduated from Newcastle
University with a Bachelors
Degree in electrical
engineering, then obtained
his Masters in engineering
from Oxford.

Engineering Process
Loop

Engineering Process
Loop
Redesign
Identify the
Problem

Present Your
Design

Research the
Problem

Test and Modify

Design

Construct an
Initial Design

Select
One Solution

Find Possible
Solutions

Engineering Process
Loop

 Earning Potential

Why be an Engineer?

Qualification?
The next 3 years in high school and especially the following 45 years in college drastically impact the quality of your adult
life!

You can play now

or play later

Engineer Licensure
Certain fields of engineering, especially those that put the health
and welfare of people at risk (mechanical, civil and structural etc.
engineers in particular), require licensure
To become licensed, engineers must:
Complete obtain a bachelors degree in engineering from JPA and
an EAC accredited college
Work under a Professional Engineer for at least three years
Earn a license (P.Eng) from Board of Engineers Malaysia
(BEM) via Institute of Engineers Malaysia (IEM).

Engineer Licensure
Board of Engineers, Malaysia (BEM)
Statutory body constituted under
the. Act 138 REGISTRATION OF
ENGINEERS ACT 1967(Revised
2002)
Its primary role is to facilitate the registration of engineers and

regulate the professional conduct and practice of registered

engineers in order to safeguard the safety and interest of the
public.

BEM falls within the ambit of responsibility of the Minister of

Works, Malaysia.

Engineer Licensure

(cont.)
Regulating

the

Conduct

and

Ethics

of

Engineering

Profession.
BEM is a medium for engineers to conduct on matters
relating to professional conduct or ethics

BEM will study any matter concerning the professional

conduct of registered engineers to determine whether
there is a breach of professional ethics or code.

Engineer Licensure
Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM)

A qualifying body for professional engineers in Malaysia.

A corporate member of the Institution can apply to the
BEM for registration as a professional engineer, which will

entitle him to set up practice.

Represents all disciplines of the profession

Engineer Licensure
The objectives of IEM are to promote and advance the theory
and practice of engineering in all disciplines and to;
raise the character and status , and advance the interests
of the profession
increase the confidence of the community in the
employment of recognised engineers by admitting to the
institution only such person who have adequate knowledge
of both theory and practice of engineering

promote honest practice, prevent malpractice and settled

disputed points of practice and ethics

Engineer Licensure
(cont.)
arrange lectures, exhibitions and conferences, seminars,
courses

collect and disseminate engineering information

encourage the study of engineering and improve the general
and technical knowledge of persons engaged in the
profession
originate and promote improvements in legislation and its
administration by deputations, submissions and
representations

Engineer Licensure

Engineer Licensure

Engineer Licensure
Registered Professional Engineer Certificate Stamp

PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER
STAMP

PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER
PRACTISING CERTIFICATE STAMP

Engineer Licensure

Engineer Licensure

http://www.bem.org.my

http://www.myiem.org.my/

http://myset.org.my/

Quotes

Quotes