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Engineering developed as a profession over the last 150 years; this period, especially the last half century, was (until quite recently) characterised by an abundance of natural resources and rapid rates of economic growth and growth in population. The traditional role of the engineer is concerned with producing physical devices and systems for society; under the above conditions an 'engineering mentality' developed which was decisive and action-oriented, concerned with the means of solving immediate problems rather than the ends, the basic problems themselves. For engineers, yesterdays strengths are today's liabilities. The ends, once taken for granted, are now in dispute. Society is becoming increasingly aware that technical solutions may have wide social ramifications. Examples of such conflicts are illustrated by disputes concerning the building of dams or the location of free ways, over building power stations or introducing labor-displacing technology. While technological solutions may often have benefits which outweigh the costs, engineers must recognize that these may be unevenly distributed (i.e. inequitable); one group may reap the benefits, while a different group may bear the costs. Engineers today are often in positions of power regarding the development and implementation of socially important technology, and need increased awareness of social, economic and environmental matters. Engineers sometimes fail to recognize the benefits of a multi-disciplinary approach to complex problems, or fail to understand the language or approach of other disciplines. Engineers tend to avoid 'political' issues, and seem reluctant to enter into public debate, or to provide information. Undergraduate education should adapt to the engineer's changing role by integrating such wider matters into engineering subjects rather than 'tacking on' subjects taken straight from other faculties. Post-graduate education should be seen as increasingly necessary for professional engineers and should develop in three streams: technical excellence, multi-disciplinary studies, and management.
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