The West needs to recapture the excitement that surrounded engineering in the 19th century if it is to compete with emerging nations such as China and India, according to Sir Robin Saxby, the new president of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). Delivering the President’s Address, which marks the beginning of his year in office, Saxby said that as civil engineering grew in the 19th century it became a career for many young people to aspire to because of the exciting opportunities it offered.
"If we fast forward to today, in the West people believe there are fewer opportunities in engineering, but if we go to places such as China there is a tremendous buzz and excitement about science, engineering and technology," said Saxby. "We definitely have a challenge in the West; not enough kids are going into science, engineering and technology. That problem does not exist in China and India and we have to do something to redress the balance. I think this institution is really able to help career development."
In the modern world Saxby believes that established and emerging nations must work together better to improve life on our planet. He ascertained that, "The best way for human beings to work together is through face to face dialogue. For instance major technology developments involve design teams of different cultures and races in multiple locations. As we enter the 21st century the IET will move into an era where partnership with others around the globe is the natural way to better deliver its vision."
Consequently, he committed the IET to strengthening its links with other institutions and to play a key role in influencing government, academia and industry.
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