It is not that they do not know engineering but they do not know
where the link between physical sciences, humanities and
engineering is. Note that the engineers work at the interface
between technology and society. Humanities deals society,
culture and effective communication both verbal and written.
Moreover, humanities teach many fundamental skills, such as,
analysis, critical thinking and creativity. It also points out that
human conditioning is a moving target. Therefore, engineers
when designing an instrument need knowledge of physics,
mathematics and humanities. Scientists dream about doing
great things and Engineers do them. The source of dream is
philosophia (Latin) – the philosophical study of nature, the
precursor of Natural Science. To me Engineering is the
offspring of Physics (king) and Mathematics (queen). Different
branches of engineering are their grand children. The second
fact is that they do not know how to and what to contribute to
the world. This is the need of the hour.
Therefore, after graduation they should be given the taste of
"innovation", that is what is all about Engineering education”. It
is like hatching the chicks out of the eggs - Incubation. The
incubation centre makes the student industry ready bubbling
with skills.
The burning question of the hour
Why graduate engineers are unable to click good jobs in spite
of in campus interviews. Even if they are successful they return
back and tell fabricated stories. The fact is that they do not
know basic physics, mathematics and humanities. Actually for
most engineering jobs knowledge of higher physics and
mathematics is not required. Aside these in these days the
graduands are coached (like the school students) instead of
being taught. They do not know what innovating teaching is all
about. The other day Rabi Maharaj of Belur R K Mission was
telling this also.
Teaching Philosophy
Therefore teachers of engineering must know how to use
intelligently laws of physics and
mathematics to develop a new result. For
example: start with difference two square
areas; use physics then algebra, then
geometry, then again algebra to come out
with a New Result:
(a 2 - b 2 ) =a(a – b) + b(a – b) = (a-b)(a+b).
A figure or diagram is given for
visualisation. This is how physics,
mathematics and humanities when
judiciously merged leads to the New
Result. Most of the engineering
disciplines are over-shoot of physics and
mathematics.
Finally: "Who are you and where do you come from"
cannot be separated from "how you are brought up and
trained". That is why your graduating school is important.
Look before you leap.
“Now the dead stream returns high tide,
Set your raft sailing chanting mother's name.
O' boatman, where is he, clamour for him -
Hold the oars tight, unitedly, unfasten lanyards”
(O tor mara gange ban aseche joy ma bole vasa
tori)…….. Rabindranath Tagore
