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