I was recently listening to Dr. Tony Marjoram, the former head of engineering sciences at UNESCO on his discussion on how engineering can help developing nations solve critical problems. It was a quite stimulating discussion in which Dr. Marjoram provides the following blueprint answering the subject question:
He acknowledges that engineering is vital in ensuring human social-economic development. The role that engineers continue to play in solving development issues (transporation, housing) cannot be underestimated. However, he concurs that there is an increased shortage of engineers around the world. This reality is compounded by the fact that the profession is not attracting as many students, especially in light of the numbers needed to allow us to meet the social-economic obligations around the world.
Obviously the profession should increase its public awareness efforts and rebrand itself as the profession that promotes humanitarian development. Unfortunately, given the fact that we still lack safe water, sanitation and electricity around the work; Perhaps we as engineering professionals are not doing enough to deliver solutions to problems we are mandated to solve.
In your opinion, how can engineering be adequately applied to be more effective in delivering solutions for these problems?
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