Dr. George Bugliarello (2008) refers to engineering for development or development engineering; an interdisciplinary thrust in engineering which “responds to the global need for engineers who understand the problems of development and sustainability, can bring to bear on them their engineering knowledge, are motivated by a sense of the future, and are able to interact with other disciplines, with communities and with political leaders to design and implement solutions.”
When it comes to lifting billions of people out of poverty and contributing to reducing their daily pain, the engineering profession has a major role to play in developing solutions and not just technology. Addressing the needs of the 4-5 billion people whose job is to stay alive by the end of the day is no longer an option for the engineering profession; it is a professional and personal obligation.
Development engineering calls for a demystification of engineering practice as usual, which traditionally provides value-neutral technical solutions to well-defined problems irrespective of any social context. Instead, engineers are also called to be change makers, peacemakers, social entrepreneurs, and facilitators of sustainable development.
Development engineering also calls for a new epistemology of engineering practice and education based on the idea of reflective and adaptive practice, system thinking, engagement, and fieldwork. It requires looking at problems in a more holistic and positive (strength-based) way and being able to interact with a wide range of technical and non-technical stakeholders from various disciplines and walks of life rather than remaining in traditional silos of technical expertise. Finally, development engineering requires a humanization of the engineering profession and the realization that engineering in this context is above all – and has always been – about people.
