Topic: Role of Engineers in Transforming the Society

Objectives:
Ø to open an issue exploring the roles of engineers in transforming our society
Ø to gather data regarding the past and present roles and significant contributions engineers have played and made in and to Philippine society
Ø to thoughtfully consider the relevant emerging roles and functions of an engineer in transforming our present and future society
(a personal assessment based on relevant facts gathered)

Focus: roles the engineer play on impacting society onto transformation and positive changes in the fields of government, public administration, leading roles in non-governmental organizations, business, and the like…

Rationale:
Elections are here yet again. Politicians promising political, economic and social reforms spring up left and right. This is the light in which social formation, reformation, transformation and change are most viewed. However, a very important yet seldom seen sector is the engineering sector largely hidden in the profit-driven industry sector.

I believe that good leaders are not only found seated on political offices, the same way that good engineers are not only found seated on manufacturing plants. The government is not the sole body responsible for effecting positive changes in our society. The engineering sector is not and should not be bound by the four walls of a plant.

It is with these in mind that I would personally like to explore the various roles and functions of an engineer in forming and transforming the society. I believe this would contribute not only to a personal understanding but to an awakening of my peers that as we graduate from engineering, our significance of being an engineer is not confined in landing a job in a people-less plant situated in some faraway province. As to what or where that road/role will lead, that is what I am about to find out.

Brief Background:
As I’ve been taking my majors ever since third year, I have been conditioned to learn and understand chemical engineering principles as applied in light of processes in a manufacturing plant. And though that is just appropriate, I still can’t imagine myself making a living off this. ^_^ Surely, there must be something other than this… I wonder, does a chemical engineer, or any engineer for that matter, have a place in the frontlines of effecting positive influences on society towards beneficial changes alongside our nation’s political leaders? How come no (or few) engineers are heard of, or recognized, as really impacting our society? I’m sure there are those out there significantly contributing to how this nation is run, how our society is built and rebuilt. I’ll be on the lookout for them.