Tap engineers for new ideas
Professionals behind iconic advances
Next week, engineering organizations from across Canada will gather in Halifax for our annual meeting of members and 30 by 30 Conference. As we contemplate the future of our profession, we must also look outward.
As a society, we face significant and complex issues, from health care to climate change and so much more. Engineers have a critical role to play as partners in finding solutions.
The strides made by engineers in the Atlantic region have contributed greatly to shaping our world for the better. The work of giants, like the late president of the Technical University of Nova Scotia and Islander, Clair Callaghan, helped unlock new pathways in everything from helicopter safety to harnessing renewable energy.
More recently, a team from Dalhousie’s Space Systems Lab made history when they launched the first Atlantic Canadian-built satellite into space, paving the way for further discoveries and strides here on Earth.
Engineers have been behind some of the most iconic advances Canada has made in the world. From the Canadarm to the pacemaker, Canadian engineers are helping to unlock the secrets of the universe and save lives.
Nearly every Canadian knows an engineer or a graduate of an engineering program, and these professionals command respect and trust. Yet, for many, the breadth of expertise and the engineering profession’s impact on the world around is largely unseen.
Many look at major civil engineering projects like the Halifax Central Library or the Confederation Bridge and see the work of engineers. Less so is the role of engineers recognized in designing smart technology, improving accessibility or addressing food insecurity.
Imagine what could be possible if the intellectual and collaborative strength of engineers was brought to bear more fully. It is a broadtent profession that includes those who practise biotechnology and environmental engineering alongside those working in more traditional disciplines, such as civil and mechanical engineering. What they all have at their core, however, irrespective of speciality, is a creative drive for problem solving.
Engineers are motivated by tough challenges and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference. They are a well of new ideas and perspectives.
To unlock the full benefits of this capacity, however, we need a systemic change in how we involve engineers in finding the solutions to big issues. If we can help government, industry and communities see the opportunity to engage engineers beyond technical and project-specific contexts, we can start leveraging them as the interdisciplinary problem solvers they are.
From the construction of renewable energy infrastructure to the advancement of smart technologies, Canada’s engineers are constantly innovating to meet the needs of our changing world. They are designing new sustainable materials, developing cutting-edge transportation systems and creating tools to increase the efficiency of our industries.
They are working on solutions to improve the quality of life for people in remote and underserved communities, such as building infrastructure for clean water and sanitation, and developing lowcost health-care technologies. The breadth of that experience alone can help push the boundaries of what is possible through improved partnership and collaboration.
Our world is confronted by an array of highly complex challenges that require urgent attention. To solve them, we must start thinking differently about the role of engineers, not just as subject matter experts or mere executors of someone else’s ideas but also as visionaries in their own right. Engineers are key drivers of innovation and growth and must be recognized as integral partners in the path forward. By working together, we can unlock a wealth of possibilities and drive Canada forward to a better tomorrow.
Engineers are key drivers of innovation and growth and must be recognized as integral partners in the path forward. By working together, we can unlock a wealth of possibilities and drive Canada forward to a better tomorrow.