Engineering is probably the only field that vouches for a scientific bent of mind in those who practice and pursue it.
It is the application of economic, social, scientific, and practical knowledge to build, and design, and maintain machines, structures, materials, and processes. It includes using keen insights to create, model and scale to an appropriate solution or a problem.
Science is one of the most crucial channels of knowledge. It has a role, and a variety of functions for the benefit of society: improving education and increasing the quality of our lives. Science must respond to the needs of society and global challenges.
The industry has probably seen a completely different scenario. There have been personnel who have become supervisors and even senior managers (Technical) without ever having a technical degree. These people have worked for decades and are masters of machines and anything that’s technical. They are the ones who run the plants and even repair them. There are in fact times when the most qualified engineers fail to detect technical errors and the most experienced employees know it even before it happens. We call them non-technical hands with experience.
So, does that mean that qualified engineers don’t have much to do when it comes to hi-tech maintenance, diagnosis, repair, and upkeep?
I am afraid it is not so. The intrinsic nature of machines and the cyclical nature of the faults that ail them are sometimes very difficult to detect, while the superficial signs of a fault may not be enough to zero in on the actual defect. This is when the qualified engineers graduated from the top AICTE approved colleges in Jaipur or anywhere in the country come in with the theoretical inputs required and this is also when going to the root of the problem is probably the only answer and where our time-created experts are not in a position to give a tangible solution.
So, does that in any way suggest that the time factor is important in the making of a functional engineer? Well! “Yes” this is beyond doubt very important and everything depends on the individual pursuing engineering. Has the student developed the necessary skill base to bridge the technical time lag that he may have to face or has the top engineering college that gave him the degree given him the exposure to machines that he would be operating once he is employed?
What’s the Basis?
Finally, personal aptitude defines whether or not someone would make a good Engineer or not. Students who have studied Math and Physics and Chemistry in school definitely have a greater chance of succeeding as an engineer. Anyone who has a manual skill may or may not be the right resource to be hands-on as a qualified Engineer. As it is teaching of Physics, Mathematics or Chemistry in many cases is reduced to one semester only, Physics and Mathematics are often combined into one.
Imagine constructing something as complex as a space shuttle or even a satellite may require years of study, aptitude, expertise, and above all understanding of modern avionics and Jet propulsion systems, electronic communications, and thousands of other activities that are done on mathematical models. It would be impossible for a student who does not have the technical and theoretically logical understanding of mechanics and science to even comment on such complex systems.
Let’s take another example of an architect or even a civil engineer who works by the rules of math and physics virtually every day. It’s obviously difficult to imagine someone without the basics of Arch’s, Columns, Roofs, Lintels, or other structures doing this without mathematically designing them on the board first and also simultaneously calculating every inch for pressure and weight. A FEAT that is performed only by people qualified to do so and attitudinally and academically competent. The people who physically work on the building have years of experience in carrying out only instructions coming from the people who worked hard on the board and were qualified to do so. This is when an exemplary structure is born. No wonder why students aspire to study in a prestigious engineering college that’s ranked in the list of top 10 or maybe top 5 engineering colleges in Rajasthan or any other state of India for that matter.
One classic book that literally shows the struggle of an ace Architect “The Fountainhead” Is a must-read for all who feel that everything is available to one who has the skills. This book takes you beyond and shows you the struggle that even a so-called genius faces. A recommended read “please”.
Science and Math have cumulatively created virtually all technology that exists today. Nothing can match the advanced remote communications systems aboard the Mars expedition vehicle. Billions of kilometres into space you make a small robot perform to your expectations is nothing short of a miracle. The huge computer codes that this vehicle carries not only help it to move freely on the Martian surface and climb mountains but also conduct experiments on its soil. It would be difficult to even imagine the information that this little machine would be carrying and the prolific technology that has gone into making it.
The horizon for science is wide and so is the resourcefulness of engineering. Every bit of what a human creates is given to him as a puzzle by nature and where he is supposed to get to by being educated for it. You name it and every resource that a human being generates comes from the planet. The education that he takes is the means to get him closer to exploiting a resource and create something out of it. Engineering is one field that gives him varied ways to extract and use the resource.
Could all this be done by somebody who has not studied Physics or Chemistry or Mathematics for that matter?
The answer is probably a “No” and probably a “Yes” we can debate the topic and still come to no conclusion.
But an intention paired with a technically robust mindset and plenty of theory can make this certainly happen.
So, are you ready?
“Do you want to try it? Come take the plunge”.
