Course Title: Engineer in society

Course Code: MEE 101

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, the students should be able to:

1. differentiate between science, engineering and technology, and relate them to

innovation;
2. distinguish between the different cadres of engineering – engineers, technologists,
technicians and craftsmen and their respective roles and competencies;
3. identify and distinguish between the relevant professional bodies in engineering;
4. categorise the goals of global development or sustainable development goals (SDGs);
and
5. identify and evaluate safety and risk in engineering practice.

Course Contents

History, evolution and philosophy of science. engineering and technology. The

engineering profession – engineering family (engineers, technologists, technicians and
craftsmen), professional bodies and societies. Engineers' code of conduct and ethics,
and engineering literacy. Sustainable development goals (SDGs), innovation,
infrastructures and nation building - economy, politics, business. Safety and risk
analysis in engineering practice. Engineering competency skills – curriculum
overview, technical, soft and digital skills. Guest seminars and invited lectures from
different engineering professional associations.

1. Definition of Engineering and Technology

Science is the study of facts, otherwise known as “what is.”

Engineering is the use of the scientific facts to create something.

Technology is the study of how to do something – working in the real world, like engineering
except more concentrated on the details that don’t always show up in the textbooks.

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For example, to build a bridge requires all three areas of knowledge. The science tells us the
forces that will exist in all the different pieces; engineering tells us how to arrange the pieces
to make the structure as strong as it needs to be at the lowest cost; technology tells us how to
weld the pieces together.

Science is the first work, the understanding that has to come before anything concrete can be
made. The scientist work tirelessly, often for years, before finding anything. There’s a lot of
speculation in science, but most of the time, science has determined something to be concrete
before companies decided that it’s worth pouring money into to develop a useful product.

Engineering come next, as companies test out the product. A lot of testing goes on…. hours
and hours of it. Engineers grow weary as they test product, and then grow excited as something
works and keep testing more designs. They struggle over diagrams, fix errors, get yelled at for
taking too long, get yelled at for not taking long enough to test every angle…. and then the
product is finished. It’s all worth it as people cheer the engineers.

And the final product is Technology, ready to be used by millions of people.

Engineering is the application of science and math to solve problems. It is application of

science to the optimum conversation of the resources of nature to the uses of humankind.
Engineers figure out how things work and find practical uses for scientific discoveries.
Scientists and inventor often get credit for innovations that advance the human condition, but
it is engineers who are instrumental in making those innovations available to the world.

Definition of Engineer: The one who translates into action the dreams of humanity, traditional,
knowledge, and concepts of science to achieve sustainable management of the planet through
creative application of technology.

Science: Well-founded, testable knowledge nature phenomenon.

Technology: Systems crated for problem-solving and meeting the needs of the real world.

1) The scientist develops knowledge and understanding of the physical universe.

2) Science is the pursuit of knowledge in the purest sense without any concern to the
needs of society.
3) Engineering connects pure science to society

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 4) Unlike science, engineering environment where engineers plan, design, build,
manufacture and operate continually changes and the role of engineers has been fraught
with challenges and uncertainties.
5) Throughout history, engineers have met these challenges through creativity, analysis
and pure guts with successes and failures as well.

What does an Engineer do?

Engineers design, evaluate, develop, test, modify, install, inspect, and maintain a wide variety
of products and systems. They also recommend and specify materials and processes, supervise
manufacturing and construction, conduct failure analysis, provide consulting services and teach
engineering courses in colleges and universities.

Unlike the scientist, the engineer is not free to select the problem that interests him, he must
solve problems as they arise; his solution must satisfy conflicting requirements. Usually
efficiency costs money; safety adds to complexity; improved performance increases weight.
The engineering solution is the optimum solution, the end result that, taking many factors into
account, is most desirable. it may be the most reliable within a given cost. In many engineering
problems the social costs are significant.

Engineers employ two types of natural resources–Materials and Energy. Materials are useful
because of their properties: their strength, ease of fabrication, lightness, or durability; their
ability to insulate or conduct; their chemical, electrical, or acoustical properties. Important
sources of energy include fossil fuels (coal, petroleum, gas) wind, sunlight, falling water, and
nuclear fission. Since most resources are limited, the engineer must concern himself with the
continual development of new resources as well as the efficient utilization of existing ones.

History of Engineering

The first engineer known by name and achievement is Imhotep, builder of the Step Pyramid at
Saqqarah, Egypt, probably in about 2550 BC. Imhotep’s successors – Egyptian, Persian, Greek
and Roman – carried civil engineering to remarkable heights on the basis of empirical methods
aided by arithmetic, geometry, and a smattering of physical science. The Pharos (lighthouse)
of Alexandria, Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem, the Colosseum in Rome, the Persian and
Roman road systems, the Pont du Gard aqueduct in France, and many other large structures,
some of which endure to this day, testify to their skill, imagination, and daring. Of many
treatises written by them, one in particular survives to provide a picture of engineering

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education and practice in classical times: Vitruvius’ De architectura, published in Rome in the
1st century AD, a 10-volume work covering building materials, construction methods,
hydraulics, measurement, and town planning.

In construction medieval European engineers carried technique, in the form of the Gothic arch
and flying buttress, to a height unknown to the Romans. The sketchbook of the 13th-century
French engineer Villard de Honnecourt reveals a wide knowledge of mathematics, geometry,
natural and physical science, and draftsmanship.

In Asia. engineering had a separate but very similar development, with more and more
sophisticated techniques of construction, hydraulics, and metallurgy helping to create advanced
civilizations such as the Mongol empire, whose large, beautiful cities impressed Marco Polo in
the 13th century.

Civil engineering emerged as a separate discipline in the 18th century, when the first
professional societies and schools of engineering were founded. Civil engineers of the 19th
century built structures of all kinds, designed water-supply and sanitation systems, laid out
railroad and highway networks, and planned cities. England and Scotland were the birthplace
of mechanic engineering, as a derivation of the inventions of the Scottish engineer James Watt
and the textile machinists of the Industrial Revolution. The development of the British
machine-tool industry gave tremendous impetus to the study of mechanical engineering both
in Britain and abroad.

The growth of knowledge of electricity–from Alessandro Volta’s original electric cell of 1800
through the experiments Michael Faraday and others, culminating in 1872 in the Gramme
dynamo and electric motor (named after the Belgian Z.T. Gramme)–led to the development of
electrical and electronics engineering. The electronics accept became prominent through the
work of such scientists as James Clerk Maxwell of Britain and Heinrich Hertz of German in
late 19th century. Major advances came with the development of the vacuum tube, by Lee De
Forest of the United States in the early 20th century and the invention of the transistor in the
mid-20th century. In the late 20th electrical and electronics engineers outnumbered all others
in the world.

Chemical engineering grew out of the 19th-century proliferation of industrial processes

involving chemical reactions in metallurgy, food, textiles, and many other areas. By 1880 the
use of chemicals in manufacturing had created an industry whose function was the mass

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production of chemicals. The design and operation of the plants of this industry became a
function of the chemical engineer.

Engineering Functions

Problem solving is common to all engineering work. The problem may involve quantitative
or qualitative factors; it may be physical or economic; it may require abstract mathematics or
common sense. Of great importance is the process of creative synthesis or design, putting ideas
together to create a new and optimum solution.

Although engineering problems vary in scope and complexity, the same general approach is
applicable. first comes an analysis of the situation and a preliminary decision on a plan of
attack.

In line with this plan, the problem is reduced to a more categorical question that can be clearly
stated. The stated question is then answered by deductive reasoning from known principles or
by creative synthesis, as in a new design. The answer or design is always checked for accuracy
and adequacy. Finally, the results for the simplified problems are interpreted in terms of the
original problem and reported in an appropriate form.

In order of decreasing emphasis on science, the major functions of all engineering branches
are the following:

1. Research: Using mathematical and scientific concepts, experimental techniques, and

inductive reasoning, the research engineer seeks new principles and processes.
2. Development: Development engineers apply the results of research to useful purposes,
creative application of new knowledge may result in a working model of a new
electrical circuit, a chemical process, or an industrial machine.
3. Design: In designing a structure or a product, the engineer selects methods, specifies
materials, and determines shapes to satisfy technical requirements and to meet
performance specifications.
4. Construction: The construction engineer is responsible for preparing the site,
determining procedures that will economically and safety yield the desired quality,
directing the placement of materials, and organizing the personnel and equipment.
5. Production: Plant layout and equipment selection are the responsibility of the
production engineer, who chooses processes and tools, integrates the flow of materials
and components, and provides for testing and inspection.

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6. Operation: The operating engineer controls machines, plants, and organization
providing power, transportation, and communication; determines procedures; and
supervises personnel to obtain reliable and economic operation of complex equipment.
7. Management and other functions: In some countries and industries engineers analyze
customers’ requirements, recommend units to satisfy needs economically, and resolve
related problems.

2. Different branches of engineering in practice in Nigeria and brief discussion of each.

The field of engineering is divided into a large number of specialty areas:

1. Mechanic Engineering involves design, manufacturing, inspection and maintenance

of machinery, equipment and components as well as control systems and instruments
for monitoring their status and performance. This includes vehicles, construction and
farm machinery, industrial installations and a wide variety of tools and devices.
2. Electrical Engineering involves design, testing, manufacturing, construction, control,
monitoring and inspection of electrical and electronic devices, machinery and systems.
These systems vary in scale from microscopic circuits to national power generation and
transmission systems.
3. Civil Engineering involves design, construction, maintenance and inspection of large
infrastructure projects such as highways, railroads, bridges, tunnels, dams and airport.
4. Aerospace Engineering involves design, manufacturing and testing of aircraft and
spacecraft as well as parts and components such as airframes, power plants, control and
guidance systems, electric and electronic systems and communication and navigation
systems.
5. Nuclear Engineering involves design, manufacturing, construction, operating and
testing of equipment, systems and processes involving the production, control and
detection of nuclear radiation. These systems include particle accelerator and nuclear
reactors for electric power plants and ships, radioisotope production and research.
Nuclear engineering also includes monitoring and protecting humans from the
potentially harmful effects of radiation.
6. Structure Engineering involves design, construction and inspection of load-bearing
structures such as large commercial buildings, bridges and industrial infrastructure.

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 7. Biomedical Engineering is the practice of designing systems, equipment and devices
for use in the practice of medicine. It also involves working closely with medical
practitioners, including doctors, nurses, technicians, therapist and researchers, in order
to determine, understand and meet their requirements for systems, equipment and
devices.
8. Chemical Engineering is the practice of designing equipment, systems and processes
for refining raw materials and for mixing, compounding and processing chemicals to
make valuable products.
9. Computer Engineering is the practice of designing computer hardware components,
computer systems, networks and computer software.
10. Industrial Engineering is the practice of designing and optimizing facilities,
equipment, systems and processes for manufacturing, material processing, and any
number of other work environments.
11. Environment Engineering is the practice of preventing, reducing and eliminating
sources of pollution that affect air, water and land. it also involves detecting and
measuring pollution levels, determining sources of pollution, cleaning up and
rehabilitating polluted sites and ensuring compliance with local, state and federal
regulations.
12. Agricultural Engineering these engineers are involved with conversing and
developing the world’s natural resources including; soil, water, land, rivers and forests.
They research and develop solutions to combat problems such as soil erosion and
salinity. They are responsible for designing better methods of farming and forestry,
improved farming machinery and building and also in lessening the impacts of humans
on the environment.

Agricultural Engineers may work towards solutions for problems such as sustainable
agricultural production, the environmental impact of intensive agriculture and also look at the
ways in which agricultural and primary products are handled.

Many Agricultural Engineers are employed by government departments in such areas as water
supply, agriculture, forestry, soil conservation and in environment protection agencies. Private
employers may include consulting firms, manufacturers and distributors of agricultural and
irrigation equipment, corporate farms, intensive animal industries and food processing plants.
Work may also be available on overseas agricultural aid programs.

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Chemical engineer Norma Alcantar uses the prickly pear cactus in her work to create an
inexpensive, sustainable way to purify drinking water. (image credit: Norma A. Alcantar,
Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of South Florida)

There is often considerable overlap among the different specialties. For this reason, engineers
need to have a general understanding of several areas of engineering besides their specialty.
For example, a civil engineer needs to understand concepts of structural engineering, an
aerospace engineer needs to apply principles of mechanical engineering, and nuclear engineers
needs a working knowledge of electrical engineering.

Particular, engineers require in-depth knowledge of mathematics, physics and computer

applications such as simulations and computer-aided design. This is why most college
programs include basic engineering courses in a wide range of topics before students choose
to specialize in a particular area.

3. Inter-relationship between Engineering/Technology and other Disciplines and

Professions.

The function of the scientist is to know, while that of the engineer is to do. The scientist adds
to the store of verified, systematized knowledge of the physical world; the engineer brings this
knowledge to bear on practical problems. Engineering is based principally on physics,
chemistry, and mathematics and their extensions into materials science, solid and fluid
mechanics, thermodynamics, transfer and rate processes, and systems analysis.

Engineering profession is the application of scientific knowledge to meet social needs

Societal Scientific
Engineering knowledge
Needs

Design Analysis

Engineering Scientific
 RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SCIENCE,
ENGINEERING, AND TECHNOLOGY
Science, Engineering and Technology are distinct, yet interrelated disciplines
Both apply scientific principles to
research and development

ENGINEERING
SCIENCE Applies scientific principles
Applies the scientific to solves problem or
method to explore the
develop products
nature world

Practical applications of Practical applications of

scientific knowledge and TECHNOLOGY
engineering designs and
discoveries Products and processes
that serve societies wants product
and needs

Chemistry.about.com

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Here is another way to look at it

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Science Engineering Technology

……..is the body of …….is the application of ….. is the body of

knowledge of physical and knowledge in order to knowledge, systems,
natural worlds. design, build, and maintain processes, and artifacts that
technologies results from engineering.

……seeks to describe and ….. seeks solutions for …… can be used to describe
understand the natural world social problems, needs and almost anything made by
and its physical properties. wants humans to solve a problem
or meet a need.

……uses varied …….. uses varied

approaches–scientific approaches–for example,
methods such as controlled engineering design
experiments or longitudinal processes or engineering …… results from the
observational studies–to analyses–to produce and process of engineering.
generate knowledge. evaluate solutions and
technologies.

Scientific knowledge can be Engineering aims to produce Technologies are anything

used to make predictions the best solutions given made by humans to fill a
resources and constraints need or desire

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4. Decree No. 55 of 1970 and the aims and objectives of COREN Education in Nigeria.

The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN, was established by Decree
55 of 1970, which was amended by Decree 27 of 1992, and Engineers (Registration, etc.) Act
Cap E11, LFN 2004, and now Engineers (Registration, etc.), (Amendment), Act 2018. It has
the mandate to control and regulate the practice of engineering in all aspects and ramifications.
It also determines what standards of knowledge and skills are to be attained by persons seeking
to become registered as Engineering Personal i.e. Engineers, Engineering Technologist,
Engineering Technicians and Engineering Craftsmen.

4.1 Decree 27 of 1992

4.2 The Engineers (Registration, etc.) ACT CAP E 11 of 2004

CHAPTER E11

ENGINEERS (REGISTRATION, ETC.), ACT

An Act to establish the Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria and to make provisions
for other matters connected therewith.

[1970 NO. 55] [5th December, 1970] [Commencement]

Establishment of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, etc.

1. Establishment of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria

(1) There shall be established on the coming into force of this Act, a body to be known
as Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (hereinafter in this Act
referred to as “the Council”) which shall be a body corporate by the name aforesaid
and be charged with the general duty of ---
(1992 No. 27)
(a) determine who are engineers for the purposes of this Act;

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 (b) determining what standards of knowledge and skill are to be attained by persons
seeking to become registered as engineers and raising those standards from time
to time as circumstances may permit;
(c) securing, in accordance with the provisions of this Act, the establishment and
maintenance of a register of persons entitled to practice as registered engineers
and the publication from time to time of lists of those persons;
(d) regulating and controlling the practice of the engineering profession in all its
aspects and ramifications’
(e) performing the other functions conferred on the Council by this Act.
2. Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Council shall consist of the following members
from the register of engineers, that is
(a) one person who shall be elected by the Council as the President;
(b) six persons elected to represent the Nigerian Society of Engineers in the manner
provided by the constitution of the Society;
(c) four persons appointed to represent the universities with faculties of engineering in
rotation;
(d) one person appointed to represent polytechnics in rotation;
(e) one person appointed to represent technical college in rotation;
(f) six persons appointed to represent the State of the Federation in rotation;
(g) four persons to be nominated by the Minister; and
(h) one person to represent each of the following cadres to appointed from their
respective registers, that is….
i. registered engineering technologist;
ii. registered engineering technicians;
iii. registered engineering craftsmen.

(1992 No. 27)

3. The provisions of the First Schedule to this Act, shall have effect with respect to the
qualification and tenure of the office of members of the Council, powers and procedure
of the Council and the other matters there mentioned.

4. Regulation may provide for increasing or reducing the membership of the Council, and
may make such consequential amendments of paragraph 1 of the First Schedule to this
Act as the Minister considers expedient in consequence of the increase or reduction.

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4.3 The Engineers (Registration, etc.), (Amendment), Act 2018.

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

This Act amends the Engineers (Registration, etc.) Act, Cap E11, Laws of the Federation of
Nigeria (LFN), 2004 to among other things, broaden the powers of the Council and its
Registrar, recognize the diversity of engineering profession and provide for engineering
regulation monitoring.

4.3 Aims and Objectives of COREN

VISION

To promote and ensure the highest standards of professionalism in Engineering practice in

Nigeria.

MISSION

To Register and License Engineering Personnel and Firms and Make provisions for the control
of Engineering practice.

To Determine the academic standards of courses and accredit programmes to be offered by

institutions training Engineering Personnel.

To foster speedy acquisition of relevant engineering and technological skills through

Continuous Professionalism Development

To ensure that Engineering is practiced to improve the quality of life and promote development.

To promote and ensure stability and cooperation within Engineering Family.

APPROVED SCHEDULE OF ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS INTO ENGINEERING CADRES

S/N ENGINEERS ENGINEERING ENGINEERING ENGINEERING

TECHNOLOGISTS TECHNICIANS CRAFTSMEN

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 1. B.SC, B. ENG, B. HND in Engineering ND in WAEC
Tec in from COREN Engineering from Technical/NABTEB
Engineering accredited Polytechnics accredited
or Monotechnics. Polytechnics or
Monotechnics.
2. HND in an Degree in Engineering Full Trade Test.
Engineering fields from East Bloc Technological
+ COREN translated as B.Sc. in Certificate (FTC).
accredited PGD in Engineering Advance
the same field e.g. Technician
HND Civil Diploma.
Engineering +
PGD Civil
Engineering
3 Diploma – Diploma – Grad from Craft Certificate
Engineering from Continental Europe. from City & Guilds
Continental
Europe.
4 Degrees in B. Tech in Engineering
Engineering from from some accredited
the East Bloc American Universities
translated as as contained in ABET
M.Sc. list.
5 New B. Sc. in
some countries in
Eastern Bloc as
degree

5. Engineering Professional Bodies

Nigerian Society of Engineers

HISTORY OF NSE

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The Nigerian Society of Engineers is the umbrella organization for the Engineering Profession
in Nigeria. The Society looks after the professional needs of member through well-structured
programs and regular interactions among the different cadre of membership, enhancing high
professional standard and ethical practices.

The organization was founded on 16th February, 1958 major challenge by a group of young
Nigerian graduate engineers and students in the UK, the Society was inaugurated at the
Nigerian House in London. The NSE is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission as
a company Limited by guarantee.

It was incorporated as a Company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital in 1967.
The original Memorandum and Articles of Association were amended on 1st December 1998.
Like some of its counterparts in other professions, the Society has distinguished itself through
progressive and imaginative programs to become the avenue for the professional development
of its members as well as technological development of the country.

VISION:

The Nigeria Society of Engineers shall be one of the very best Engineering Professional bodies
in the world.

MISSION:

• The Nigerian Society of Engineers is dedicated to providing quality service aimed at

enhancing professional competence and development of its members at all times
• The Nigerian Society of Engineers is committed to focus collaboration with,
influencing and providing quality advice to the various arms of Government, Industry,
Commerce, Academia and the Society at large, for the purpose of uplifting the country
as a whole
• The Nigerian Society of Engineers shall make meaningful contributions to the
advancement of technology worldwide.

OBJECTIVES OF THE SOICETY

The objective of the Society is to promote the advancement of engineering education, research,
and practice in all its ramifications. Naturally, this is with a view to maintaining and enhancing
the professional capabilities of its members so as to better equip them to fulfill the needs of the
profession for the good of the public and nation of large.

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The objects for which the Society is established are:

• To provide a central organization for engineers in Nigeria and to generally to such

things as may for time to time be necessary to maintain a strict standard or professional
ethics among its members and to advance the interest of the engineering profession in
Nigeria.
• To promote, protect, encourage and maintain a high standard of engineering study and
practice and to encourage greater efficiency therein.
• To present to the Government of Nigeria the views of the Society on any subject of
concern or interest to engineers in Nigeria and if considered advisable to join with any
other bodies in submitting such representation.
• To represent to any other individual or bodies or organization the views of society on
any subject of concern or interest to engineers in Nigeria or any appropriate subject on
which the views of the Society may be invited.
• To provide a body to which the Government or other official or unofficial authority or
organization in Nigeria can have resource for advice, assistance or the expression of
views on any subjects of concern or interest to engineers in Nigeria.
• To facilitate the development and acquisition of technology by conducting visits to
places of engineering interest, reading technical papers, holding meetings, conferences,
publishing books journals and periodicals on engineering matters.
• To subscribe or guarantee or otherwise use monies of the Society for charitable or
benevolent objects or scholarship on bursaries or for any exhibitions for any public
genera or useful objects.
• To provide for the training and examination of students in engineering as well as the
continuing professional update and development of its members.
• To nominate any member of members as arbitrators, panelists, investigators, auditors
expert witnesses or specialist advisers, when called upon to do so.
• To assist necessitous members and any of the dependent kindred of deceased members
including the widows and widowers of members and to appoint treasurer and
distributor of any benevolent fund or funds which may be contributed by members or
others for these purpose or any of the them and subject to the provisions of paragraph
four (prohibiting payment being made to members), to make any contributions out of
the surplus assets or income of the Society from time to time to any benevolent fund
or funds.

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• To purchase, hold, lease, let, mortgage, sell, improve, or otherwise acquire and dispose
of any movable or immovable property and any rights or privileges, which may be
necessary or convenient for the advancement of any of the objects of the Society.
• To invest and deal with the monies of the Society not immediately required in any
manner.
• To borrow money where necessary to promote any of the objects set out herein upon
such securities as may be determined.
• To apply or petition for any legislation, parliamentary or otherwise that would further
any of the objects of the Societies.
• To do all or any such lawful things are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the
object and generally to further the profession of engineering in Nigeria as well as
enhance the status of engineers in Nigeria. Provided that the Society shall not support
with its funds and objects nor endeavor to impose on or procure to be observed by its
members or others any regulation, restriction or condition which if an object of the
Society would make it a trade union.
• To maintain and enhance links with national, international and multinational
organizations and bodies to promote any of the objects of the Society.
• To collaborate with Industry, Commerce, Academia, and other such national bodies as
may be necessary or convenient for the advancement of any of the objects of the
Society.
• To promote and enforce a high standard of performance and professional ethics among
its members.
• To watch over, promote, and protect the mutual interests of its members and to give
advice to members.

LIAISON WITH GOVERNMENT

The Society liaises with Government on the NSE matters affecting the engineering
progression on the Boards of some government bodies and organizations.

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 LIAISON WITH THE COUNCIL FOR THE REGULATION OF ENGINEERING
IN NIGERIA, (COREN)

The Society represented on COREN and arranges registration interviews for COREN. It
maintains close relations with the body on all issues relating to the Engineering Profession.
These include Engineering Regulation Monitoring (ERM), Mandatory Continuing
Professional Development, (MCPD), and remuneration for Engineers.

Membership of NSE

The following are guidelines for persons aspiring to become members of the Nigerian
Society of Engineers. There are grades of membership namely:

Fellow, Honorary Fellow, Corporate Member, Graduate Member, Associate and Student
Member. The education and training required for each grade of membership are listed
hereunder:

Fellow, Honorary Fellow, Corporate Member, Graduate Member, Associate and Student
Member.

1. Student Member

A Student Member shall be a person who is undertaking an approved engineering course of

training leading to a degree in an institution recognized by the Council of the Society for the
purpose of training professional engineers.

2. Associate Member

A person seeking edition, as an Associate of the Society shall possess an academic qualification
at the level of a university degree in the sciences allied to engineering science, or the
qualifications approved by the Council of the Society. In addition, he shall have been engaged
on work related to the practice of engineering for a minimum period of 5 years.

3. Graduate Member

A person seeking admission to Graduate Membership shall possess an academic qualification

acceptable to the Council of the Society and registrable by the Council for the Regulation of
Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) under the provisions of the Engineering Regulation Decree
a requirement for entry into this class. HND holders are not registrable.

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4. Corporate Member

CANDIDATES ARE GROUPED INTO VARIOUS CATEGORIES THUS:

A1 Candidates who are holders of the Bachelor’s degree in Engineering whose institutions’
programs are accredited by COREN and with such candidates having been registered by
COREN as professional Engineers.

A2 Candidates who are already Corporate Members of Engineering Institutions (licensed as

professional Chartered or Registered Engineers) recognized by COREN.

B1 Candidates who are holders of the Bachelor’s degree in Engineering whose qualifications
are accredited by COREN or any oversea accreditation board recognized by COREN. Such
candidates must have acquired a minimum of 4years post-qualification experience.

B2 Candidates who obtained HND and PGD in the same field of Engineering from approved
institution and had acquired a minimum 6years post-graduation experience in the practice of
Engineering.

C1 Candidates who are holders of correct and adequate basic academic qualifications by
COREN Standard and Regulations who are 40years and above. Such candidates as at the time
of application must have a minimum of 10years post-qualification experience. The candidates
must appear in person.

C2 Candidates who are holders of correct and adequate qualifications by COREN Standard
and Regulations and are top executives in Government parastatal or Industries etc. who are not
only 45years and above with respect of age, but who, as at the time of application have
minimum of 15years post qualification experience. They may be accorded Presidential
interview through NSE branch.

D4 The candidate must be up to 50years of age and above and have either of the following
credentials B.Sc. in Sciences with Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) and master’s degree in
Engineering City & Guilds of 1999 with PGD and Master’s degree in the same field of
Engineering.

5. Honorary Fellow

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The Council of the Society may at its discretion elect distinguish persons to Honorary
Fellowship, such persons, though not necessarily engineers, would normally have used their
positions to render notable assistance to the practice of engineering science.

6. Fellow

All candidates must have been corporate members of the Society for 10 years in addition to
what we have in the Memorandum and Articles of Association of NSE.

All HND holders must have additional academics qualification(s) before fellowship. All
referees must be financial members of the Society and their reference letters must be revised
before the consideration of the candidate’s application.

Only the President can waive this option.

o Must have attended at least 5 AGMs in the last ten years prior to the year of application.
o Must have written and presented four (4) Technical/Management papers at NSE and or
any other for acceptable to the Board of Fellows. All papers must have been presented
in the last 10 years.
o Must have worked on some outstanding projects (that stand out from the ordinary).
attended the yearly refresher Engineering Course/Workshops to make him or her
current on engineering practice and not with obsolete knowledge – must show evidence
of this in the application form.
o Must be active in his or her Branch and Division activities
Financial status must be consistent. There must be evidence of consistency in the
payment of dues to NSE in the last 5 years.

(a) PROCESSING FEES

The processing fees for the two categories of Fellowship had been reviewed upwards as
follows:

i) By invitation – the Council had approved N2.2m for applicants by invitation. The intention
was to limit the number of applicants for this category and encourage applicants by application.

ii) By application – the Council also approved N300,000 for this category of applicants.

Members Benefits

1. Courses/Workshops/Conference

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The Society offer courses and workshops regularly for professional improvement and
continuing education of members. These courses/workshops are coordinated by the
Professional.

Development Directorate of the National Headquarters and are organized nation-wide through
Divisions and Branches of the Society and the Nation Headquarters.

The Society holds Engineering Conference every year and an international conference every
two years between the last week in November and December. Conference Themes are chosen
based on contemporary issues and a communique issued at the end of proceedings.

2. Careers and Employment Advice

The Society provides advice to members on job placement and career progression through her
Job placement unit. The unit maintains a list of members wishing to change jobs or in search
of jobs, and also match jobs opportunities by its job listing.

3. Liaison with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN)

The Society is represented on the Council of COREN and maintains close relations with the
body on all issues relating to the profession. These include Engineering Regulations
Monitoring (ERM), Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) and Engineers
remuneration.

4. Forum

The Society provides a forum for engineers to exchange ideas and update their knowledge on
contemporary and future developments in engineering

5. Code of Ethics

The Society has established a Code of Ethics to control the professional conduct of her
members. Disciplinary actions are instituted under this code.

6. Advisory Services

The Society provides guidance to members on a wide range of matters relevant to their
involvements with and development in the profession. Government and the general public may
also seek advice of the Society on Professional Engineering matters.

7. Awards and Prizes

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Grants/Fellowships/Awards and Prizes for papers, research and other contributions to the
professions are awarded by the Society from time to time to those who distinguished
themselves in the profession.

8. Benevolent Fund

The Society maintains a benevolent fund to which individual members contribute. The fund is
to help members and their families in distress.

9. Competition

The Society sponsors and encourages competitions at all levels, Secondary schools through
Universities to Professional. The “Engineer of the Year” Award has also been instituted.

10. International Relations

The Society is represents Nigeria through her membership of the Commonwealth Engineers
Council (CEC) and World Federation of Engineering Organization (WFEO). The Society is
also the Secretariat of the Federation of African Engineering Organization (FAEO). Foreign
Industrial tours are also organized by Branches and the Headquarter coordinated by the
International Affairs unit at the Headquarters.

CODE OF ENGINEERING CONDUCT

Every member is expected in his general conduct to uphold and enhance the honour and dignity
of the Engineering profession and the reputation of the Nigerian Society of /engineers and to
act always in the public interest:

1. A member shall make available his professional knowledge and experience in accordance
with his code as a consultant or adviser, or a salaried employee, or a teacher of Engineering
Science, or other people connected with the works.

2. A member shall not practice in a dual capacity as a consultant and as a contractor for the
same project except with the prior written consent of the client.

3. A member shall not place orders on his own behalf in respect of a project on which he is
engaged but shall only do so explicitly on behalf of his client.

4. A member shall not be the medium of payments made on his client’s behalf unless
specifically so requested in writing by his clients, but shall only issue certificate for payments.

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 5. A member shall not take part in competition involving the submission of proposals and
designs for engineering work unless an assessor which shall be an Engineer of acknowledged
standing has been appointed to whom all such proposals and designs are to be submitted for
adjudication.

6. A member shall not invite or submit priced proposals under conditions that constitute price
competition for professional services.

7. A member shall not advertise engineering services in self-laudatory language or in any other
manner derogatory to the dignity of the profession.

8. A member, on engineering works in a foreign country the members may adapt his conduct
according to the professional standards and customs of the country, but shall adhere as closely
as practicable to the printable of this code.

Engineering Skills and Competencies

Successful professional engineers require a combination of different engineering skills and

competencies. It’s not just about going to studying a particular discipline at university. In
addition to high-quality engineering work, potential employers consider a variety of factors:

• Attention to detail
• Interpersonal skills
• Problem-solving abilities
• Communication skills
• Critical thinking
• Innovation and creativity

Physics and Mathematics

Engineers are technical people who understand ways of finding a problem and creating a
solution for it. To see a problem and find a solution, there must be a means to model or represent
it. Technical skills are required. Physics and mathematics allow the world and everything
within it to be observed and analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Drafting

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 Drafting is one of the most effective ways of communicating engineering designs, plans, and
specifications. It follows globally accepted engineering practices and allows important details
in the drawing to be understood clearly by other engineers. While engineering drawings can
be done by hand, modern engineering firms use computer-aided drafting (CAD) software. This
skill plays an important role in creating a variety of engineering document.

• General assembly drawings

• Construction drawings
• Material take offs (MTOs) and estimates
• Electrical layouts
• Instrumentation loop diagrams
• Process flow diagrams (PFDs)
• Piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs)

Project Management

This is a necessary component of any engineering project. This oversees the sequence of steps
that are conceptualized, defined, planned, and executed to solve a given problem. Project
management mostly revolves around optimizing resources such as manpower, capital, and
time. The evolution of project execution tools has enabled modern cost-saving strategies.

This competency ensures that the design is met with utmost quality while following the planned
budget and cost. Each aspect is properly documented and communicated to stakeholders.

Engineering Economics

This is useful in the preliminary stages of a project where the most critical decisions are made.
Conclusions made in this phase dictate the cost of the project.

Engineering economics focuses on the feasibility and profitability of a proposed solution. It

considers its required capital, incurred savings, maintenance, and operating costs.

Quality Management

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 A good understanding of quality management ensures that products and services are delivered
free from deficiencies and errors. It further enhances customer satisfaction. Quality
management builds brand integrity which leads to better marketing opportunities.

Quality management promotes leadership, evidence-based decision-making, continuous

improvement, organization of resources, and clear documentation.

Engineering Ethics

Ethics governs engineers to make morally responsible decisions. It sets guiding principles for
tackling issues that may conflict with the interest of the general public. Professional
engineering practice gives paramount importance to the health, safety, and welfare of people
and the environment.

Data Analysis

Data analysis involves collecting, organizing, processing, and modeling data. It aims to find
meaning from a large mass of information. This skill has a huge potential for adding value to
any process or business operation.

A scientific approach in dissecting data leads to smarter and more informed decisions. Some
of the benefits of data analysis are efficient operations, greater marketing reach, and higher
customer satisfaction.

Process Control

Process control overlaps instrumentation and control engineering and chemical

engineering. The understanding of process control is key for engineers tasked to work on
monitoring and controlling process parameters. It involves knowledge of control architectures,
sensors, and actuators.

Safety management is also a part of process control. Most aspects of process control ensure
process hazards are identified and addressed with the appropriate safeguards. Examples of
these safeguards are,

• Safety Instrument Systems (SIS)

• Emergency Shutdown Systems (ESD)

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• Fire and Gas Systems
• High Integrity Pressure Protection Systems (HIPPS)

Risk Assessment

Conducting a proper risk assessment is one of the critical steps a services company would take
in planning any engineering project or operation. It identifies and evaluates potential threats
and hazards. Risk assessment is conducted through various techniques.

• Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP)

• Hazard Identification Study (HAZID)
• Pre Startup Safety Review (PSSR)
• Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA)
• Failure Tree Analysis (FTA)
• Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA)

A good risk assessment plan is comprehensive. Hazards are evaluated both qualitatively and
quantitatively. This not only assesses the risk level of a threat, but also provides effective,
achievable, and cost-efficient solutions.

Programming

Programming is the design, analysis, and creation of computer instructions. It allows engineers
to communicate with machines through the use of programming languages. Common
programming languages that engineers use are C, C++, Java, and MATLAB.

Programming is not only necessary in the information and communications technology sector,
but in the industrial and manufacturing field as well. It is regarded as one of the most
fundamental skills for developing instrumentation and control systems.

Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE)

This covers finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and
multibody dynamics (MBD) to name a few. Knowledge of CAE enables engineers to use
computer software to perform engineering analyses that are tedious to be done manually.

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Through CAE, an object can be modeled in a virtual environment where it is subjected to
conditions representing an actual application. The best configuration can be determined easily
through fast design iterations.

Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM)

CAM is a specific type of programming. It enables engineers to control machine tools and
equipment to perform fabrication, manufacturing, and various other tasks.

The introduction of computer numerical control or CNC machines allowed the operations of
manufacturing plants to be partially or fully automated. Mass production became cheaper and
faster while maintaining or even improving the quality of the product.

Engineering Skills & Competencies Make a Great Engineer

This article covered only some of the basic knowledge and skills required of a professional
engineer.

There is always more to learn and apply, especially in the evolving digital
execution in different industries. Ultimately, all of these attributes have the objective of
achieving quality, efficiency, and development.

Multi-Discipline Engineering Services

Vista Projects is an integrated engineering services firm able to assist with your mechanical
engineering requirements. With offices in Calgary, Alberta, and Houston, Texas, we help
clients with customized system integration and engineering consulting across all core
disciplines.

Civil Structural

Electrical

Instrumentation & Controls

Mechanical

Piping

Process

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The United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to achieve decent lives
for all on a healthy planet by 2030. As things stand, most of them are likely to be missed. This
is partly because they fail to address human population growth. Positive, empowering
population solutions are key to meeting the SDGs. Read on to learn about the links between
population and each of the 17 goals.

GOAL 1: NO POVERTY

High fertility rates can trap countries in poverty. The World Bank has warned that extreme
poverty will not decrease in 2021 due to population growth eclipsing economic growth in the
poorest nations. Large family size and poverty often go hand-in-hand. People living in deprived
areas are usually not empowered to choose the number of children they have and in some cases
feel the need to have many so they can be provided for in their old age. When people are poor
and have many children, they cannot invest enough in each child which often leads to kids not
being able to attend school and girls getting married off as child brides. Women are also less
able to gain financial independence when they have many children to look after at home.
Ensuring everyone is empowered to choose small families is key to eradicating poverty.

In June 2020, the World Bank forecast that the three countries which between them have a
third of the world’s poor – Nigeria, India and the Democratic Republic of Congo – will not
grow their economies faster than their populations.“

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Please contact your government to press them for greater commitment to the SDGs, and to
recognise the importance of tackling population in advance of the Summit of the Future. Please
click below to find contact information and draft text.

GOAL 2: ZERO HUNGER

Feeding the world without destroying more nature will become increasingly difficult and
eventually impossible under sustained population growth. According to the World Resources
Institute, the calorie requirements of a population of 10 billion are 56% higher than current
total crop production. Agriculture is already a leading cause of environmental degradation and
further conversion of land for farming purposes will have devastating consequences for
biodiversity and our climate. A landmark 2019 report by the EAT-Lancet Commission
states “Healthy diets from sustainable food systems are possible for up to 10 billion people but
become increasingly unlikely past this population threshold.” Our population is projected to
exceed 10 billion in the second half of the century. When population growth exceeds
development progress, past achievements are quickly undone – the number of people suffering
from hunger has increased again over the past three years. Experts have warned that
vulnerable areas like the Sahel face catastrophe unless action is taken to reduce fertility rates.

GOAL 3: GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

Insufficient funding for healthcare systems can cause them to buckle under the pressure of
growing populations. Lack of access to quality reproductive healthcare including modern
contraception and medically safe abortion leads to high unwanted pregnancy rates and
preventable maternal deaths. Worldwide, still almost half of all pregnancies are unintended
and more than 800 women die from pregnancy-related complications every day. Because of
population growth, the absolute number of women with an unmet need for contraception is still
increasing. Very high population densities facilitate disease transmission and hurt public
health, especially in areas where health services are already overburdened. Investing in quality
health care for all, including easy access to family planning, helps slow population growth and
improves lives.

GOAL 4: QUALITY EDUCATION

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Greater investment in quality education is key to alleviating poverty and ending population
growth. Due to gender inequality, girls are disproportionately affected by lack of access to
education — still one in four girls does not attend secondary school and in sub-Saharan Africa,
the number of girls out of secondary school has increased by 7 million since 2007 due to the
region’s population growth. Generally, the more years a woman spends in education,
the smaller her family size. When women are able to delay childbirth and have fewer children,
this also empowers them to pursue educational opportunities, such as advanced degrees, which
would be difficult or impossible with many dependents.

In sub-Saharan Africa, the number of girls out of secondary school has increased by 7
million due to the region’s population growth.

GOAL 5: GENDER EQUALITY

Empowering women and girls to take control of their bodies and lives is crucial for solving our
biggest social and environmental crises. Gender inequality is one of the main drivers of high
fertility rates. Not a single country has yet achieved full equality, and the worst gender-based
injustices and crimes continue to be common and widespread. According to the UN, ending
gender-based violence, harmful practices (including child marriage and FGM), preventable
maternal deaths, and unmet family planning needs is affordable and within reach, but still
suffers from a severe funding shortage. In the meantime, the number of women and girls
subjected to harmful practices is increasing due to slow progress and population growth.

The proportion of women and girls subjected to FGM is decreasing overall, but the number of
women and girls subjected to it is growing because of population growth. That number could
grow from 4.1 million in 2020 to 4.6 million a year by 2030, since the cohort of girls in many
high-prevalence countries is growing.”

GOAL 6: CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION

The combination of climate change and population growth is fuelling a global water crisis. As
our numbers grow, aquifers get overdrawn, pollution increases, and the capacity to safely
dispose of wastewater is increasingly compromised. Currently, a staggering 2.2 billion
people around the world do not have safe drinking water and 4.2 billion lack safe sanitation
services. In the UK, overexploitation and drought could lead to severe water shortages by

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mid-century. The UK population is expected to reach 73 million by 2041, with the fastest
growth occurring in areas that are already the most water-stressed. Experts estimate that by
2050, 5 billion people – more than half the global population – will live in waterstressed
regions.

GOAL 7: AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

The number of people using dirty fuels is still increasing due to population growth and slow
progress in rolling out renewable energy. Global energy demand is expected to increase by
50% over the next 30 years as a result of population growth and economic development. High-
income countries must lead the way in transitioning to clean fuels and support low-income
countries to do the same. Ending population growth will make a global switch to affordable
and clean energy a lot more achievable.

The absolute number of people relying on polluting fuels and technologies for
cooking has actually increased, reaching an estimated 3 billion people.“

GOAL 8: DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

A high number of young dependents makes economic prosperity almost impossible and is also
a recipe for social unrest.

The high population is exerting a lot of pressure on our economy. As a country we have made
tremendous gains over the years but the impact is not reflected on our economy because the
gains have been dissipated by population growth.”

In high-income nations, the pursuit of economic growth is in direct conflict with other SDGs,
in particular in regard to environmental impact. Infinite economic and population growth can
never be sustainable on a finite planet. As a global community, we must strive towards a healthy
environment and well-being for all, not endless growth.

GOAL 9: INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

The larger the population, the harder it is to provide access to modern infrastructure and
technologies to everyone, and the more nature we will destroy in the process. Conversion of
land to human infrastructure is a key driver of biodiversity loss, and construction is a major

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source of greenhouse gases. The expansion of roads in South Asia, for example, is increasingly
threatening the survival of tigers. Only 5,500 remain in the wild today and 40% of tiger habitat
has been lost over the last 15 years alone. In the UK, the controversial HS2 rail network is
thought to threaten more than 30 ancient woodlands.

GOAL 10: REDUCED INEQUALITIES

Vast disparities exist between the rich world and the Global South, and within countries
themselves. A more just global system, in which resources are distributed more equitably, is
essential. Whilst we must limit the number of new consumers everywhere, choosing a small
family is particularly impactful among the wealthiest of us.

GOAL 11: SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

More than half the world’s population lives in urban areas today. By 2050, this proportion is
expected to rise to 68%. Rapid urban population growth can outstrip the pace at which
infrastructure such as clean water, sanitation, health, jobs and education can be offered.
According to WWF, one of the main causes of habitat loss is land for human habitation with
urban areas doubling since 1992. Access to green spaces is important for physical and mental
health, but natural and semi-natural areas are increasingly falling victim to housing demands.
In the UK, population growth is expected to lead to a 7.6% decline in the amount of green
space available per person by 2040.

The number of people living in slums has grown: from an estimated 792 million in 2000, to over
1 billion in 2016.“

GOAL 12: RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

According to the UN, material footprint per capita in high-income countries is 60% higher
than in upper-middle-income countries and more than 13 times the level of low-income
countries. Responsible consumption and production of food and goods must go hand-in-hand
with measures to end our population growth. The very high number of people escaping poverty
is the main reason that average resource use per person in 2050 is projected to be 71%
higher than today. We are already using resources 1.75 times faster than they can regenerate –
unless things change, we will require three Earths to supply our needs by 2050.

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GOAL 13: CLIMATE ACTION

Unsustainable consumption patterns in high-income countries are largely responsible for the
climate crisis but every additional person on our planet adds more emissions. A comprehensive
review of available climate solutions by Project Drawdown found that slowing population
growth through the combination of educating girls and providing family planning would be
one of the most powerful ways to reduce atmospheric CO2 by 2050. The 2019 Scientists’
Warning of a Climate Emergency, endorsed by more than 11,000 scientists, called for ending
and ultimately reversing human population growth, among other transformative actions, to
avert the worst effects of climate change.

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inbox every month.

GOAL 14: LIFE BELOW WATER

Pollution (plastic and runoff), overfishing, coral bleaching, and coastal ecosystem destruction
are all exacerbated by population growth. Two-thirds of marine areas have been damaged
by human activity and a third of sharks and rays and a third of reef corals are threatened with
extinction. Tackling the loss of life under water has to include a commitment to reducing
population growth and runaway consumption. Family planning, women’s education and
empowerment together can also enable more women to participate in marine resources
management; enhance food security and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

GOAL 15: LIFE ON LAND

Human population growth is one of the main causes of biodiversity loss. According to WWF,
we have lost 60% of all vertebrate wildlife populations since 1970. During that time, our
population has more than doubled. A landmark 2019 UN assessment explicitly noted that
human population growth is an indirect driver of biodiversity loss and stated: “changes to the
direct drivers of nature deterioration cannot be achieved without transformative change that
simultaneously addresses the indirect drivers.” To be truly effective in the long-
term, conservation efforts must incorporate population solutions.

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GOAL 16: PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS

In the absence of prosperity and strong institutions, population growth contributes to

conflicts related to scarce resources. Educating and empowering women and communities,
including ensuring access to voluntary family planning services, can help support peace and
stability goals by increasing the foundation for stability. And where families can choose the
number and timing of their children, women may have more opportunity to take part in civil
society and peacebuilding.

GOAL 17: PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS

Cross-sectoral partnerships that recognize the crucial links between social and environmental
issues are key to a better future. COVID-19 has presented unprecedented challenges, reversing
decades of development and causing a deep global recession. Never has there been a more
critical time for strengthening partnerships and securing the next ten years of collaboration for
sustainable development. The international community must foster recognition of the urgent
need to end human population growth as soon as is ethically possible, and promote greater
investment in empowering solutions.

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