Gauge Newsletter January 2020 | Page 37

What are the qualities, that make a better engineer in your opinion? Updated knowledge and skills are at a high priority. On top of the technical skills, he or she needs to have good communication skills, management skills, teamwork, target oriented delivery, etc. Any engineer should be a good human being. How can the current engineering undergraduates improve those qualities? We deliver a degree programme containing knowledge and skills to a sufficient extent. Be active learners and try to get the maximum out of it. As students, you can also engage in various activities that inculcate soft skills. Please do not misunderstand and engage in destructive activities, even, for the sake of safeguarding students’ rights. At any educational institution, the academic staff, academic support staff and students should work together to create and disseminate new knowledge. We should give a low priority to our personal political affiliations and work together towards achieving a common goal. The common goal should be uplifting the living condition of people in this country. Never forget that the poor people in this country have supported your education, hence it is your duty to pay them back, by serving our mother nation. What is the role of the engineer in modern society? We are living in an environment which is built by engineers. Engineers are responsible for altering the natural eco-system. Therefore, it is the duty of engineers to continuously improve the built environment, solve problems and make this living planet a better place for all living creatures born and to be born in the future. Engineers have also immensely impacted society. Therefore, there is a role for engineers to play in the policymaking process. Therefore, engineers who are interested in politics have a role to play and make the country moving in the right direction. My claim on this is valid for graduate engineers but not for undergraduate students. What is your message to future engineers? First, determine to be a change agent. Get ready to be changed in a positive direction. Always acquire new knowledge which will help you take the best decisions. Become leaders, but, not followers. There are serious problems looming up due to resource limitations and climate change. Engineers should be ready to face new challenges and solve these problems for the benefit of mankind. H.M.P.M.K.Herath, Final Year - Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya. Sewwandie Nanayakkara, Third Year - Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya. Madri Madawala, Final Year - Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya. GAUGE Magazine University of Peradeniya Page 35