People more valuable than technology - SAICE President

Abstract

Civil engineering Other than doctors, lawyers and accountants, who deal directly with clients, engineering professionals’ work is done in a less direct way, with only the products of their work being evident and not their role. “This lack of a direct link between the work of a civil engineer and his ‘products’ is a limiting factor in building the status of the civil engineering professional,” noted Macleod during his inaugural address. To compound the problem, the work of civil engineering professionals is generally well publicised in the case of failures. The general public takes for granted the fact that water comes out of their taps at a relatively constant pressure and is able to be drunk directly from the tap. T oilets are flushed with no thought for the processes needed to transport this waste and treat and dispose of it safely. “ As engineers we tend to assume that the public knows how these things work, and does not need to have them explained,” said Macleod.

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