Engineering an engine of growthThe 4th PEC Int’l Deans Conference poised to exchange ideas to solve complex issues

on 20/05/2024

The 4th PEC International Deans Conference is underway in Karachi, the hub of Pakistan’s economy with the theme ‘Engineering as an engine of growth’. This two-day conference (May 6-7, 2024) encompasses valuable exchanges including five technical sessions on various pressing issues relating to engineering and growth with several renowned engineering academicians who have traveled to Pakistan.
The conference has also set sub-themes for the moot and they include Global Engineers and Cross Border Mobility, Reshaping Curriculum and Practice – Targeting 5th Generation Requirements, Accreditation – Challenges and Solutions, Emerging Trends in Teaching-Learning & Assessment (TLA), Engineering Practice and Ethics, Cutting-edge and inter-disciplinary synergies, Realigning of internship/ practicum practices during education and Digital Transformation & Business Process Re-Engineering. The moot which will come out of the declaration of the conference on its conclusion also includes roundtable discussion on the topics linked with the subthemes.
Earlier, the PEC successfully organized three international deans conferences the first on February 13, 2018, the second on October 14, 2019, and the third in October 2019. This moot, being held after the lapse of four years was postponed twice for a variety of reasons.
The conference, as the perception as regards outcomes of such moots goes around the world is expected to provide a great opportunity to share best practices, identify issues, and propose possible solutions to address quality assurance in engineering education, standards, industry perspectives of Outcome Based Education/Accreditation, capacity building for online Teaching-Learning and Assessment methodologies and also encompass the approach to comply with the Framework and incorporate the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Engineering educators from around Pakistan and abroad are attending this conference. A report from the World Federation of Engineering Organization writes these conferences are an opportunity for leaders in academia, industry, and regulatory/standardizing bodies to share and exchange their experiences and ideas in solving complex issues of engineering education.
They are also an opportunity to discuss how the cultural values and socio-economic challenges of Pakistan can be included in engineering practice, education, and curriculum to ensure that engineering graduates are technically proficient and market.

Registered engineers to become professional engineersHow Pes can benefit from PEC Management Committee Decision

on 16/05/2024

As per the PEC Act and Bylaws, there are distinct differences between a Registered Engineer (R.E) and a Professional Engineer (P.E) that impact their responsibilities, scope of work, and qualifications.
Registered Engineer vs Professional Engineer
A Registered Engineer (RE) is an engineer who meets the educational requirements and is registered with the PEC. On the other hand, a Professional Engineer (PE) is an engineer who has not only met the educational requirements but also has the necessary experience and has qualified for the Engineering Practice Examination (EPE).
Responsibilities and Scope of Work
Registered Engineers can perform general engineering duties such as design, supervision, and execution of engineering projects, but only under the guidance of a Professional Engineer.
Professional Engineers can independently undertake the design, supervision, and execution of engineering projects, as well as provide professional engineering services to the public.
Signing Authority
Registered Engineers can sign and seal engineering drawings and documents, but only under the supervision of a Professional Engineer.
Professional Engineers can independently sign and seal engineering drawings and documents, taking full responsibility for the work.
Qualifications
Registered Engineers hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering from a PEC-accredited university or institution.
Professional Engineers hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering from a PEC-accredited university or institution and have a minimum of 5 years of experience after registration as an RE in PEC, with at least 17 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points, and have qualified the EPE examination.
Professional Title
Registered Engineers are entitled to use the title “Registered Engineer” or the abbreviation “R.E.”
Professional Engineers are entitled to use the title “Professional Engineer” or the abbreviation “P.E.”
PEC Management Committee Decision
The good news for Registered Engineers is that the PEC Management Committee has decided that engineers registered with the PEC before 15th January 2008 are eligible to apply through the PEC website for the title of “Professional Engineer” and are exempt from the EPE requirement. These engineers will only be required to go through an interview process in their relevant field.
This decision by the PEC Management Committee presents an excellent opportunity for Registered Engineers who were registered before the specified date to upgrade their professional status and take advantage of the benefits associated with the Professional Engineer title. By applying for the Professional Engineer designation, these REs can expand their scope of work, sign off on engineering projects independently, and enhance their career prospects.

Technology Management in a Globalized World: Challenges and Opportunities

on 16/05/2024

In today’s globalized world, technology management faces a plethora of opportunities and problems as businesses negotiate the difficulties of doing business in a dynamic, interconnected global context. Across-border management of varied technologies is one of the main issues. Organizations operating in international environments frequently struggle to integrate and harmonize disparate technology stacks while taking regulatory framework compliance, compatibility, and interoperability into account. Global technology management is further complicated by the speed at which new technologies are developing. Businesses need to constantly evaluate new technologies, comprehend the potential effects they may have, and strategically implement innovations that support their goals. It is difficult for enterprises to strike a balance between the necessity of innovation and the requirement for stability as they work to minimize the risks related to technological disruptions and maintain their competitiveness. Managing technology globally also means tackling cyber security issues on a large scale. Organizations are more exposed to cyber dangers, such as sophisticated cyber-attacks and data breaches, as a result of expanding their technology footprint internationally. Robust rules, proactive threat detection techniques, and ongoing employee training are necessary for managing cyber security threats in a global setting and enhancing the organization’s overall cyber resilience.
Global technology management requires careful attention to cultural factors. The cultural quirks that affect how technology is adopted, used, and accepted must be understood and navigated by organizations. Optimal implementation of technology in a multinational setting requires modifying management procedures to accommodate varied work styles and customizing technological solutions to suit cultural preferences. One of the major challenges in global technology management boils down to guaranteeing regulatory compliance across jurisdictions. Businesses have to manage a confusing terrain of conflicting privacy rules, data protection statutes, and industry-specific mandates. This necessitates the adoption of strong compliance procedures to reduce legal risks and a thorough awareness of the legal frameworks in each operating region. The globalization of technology management also creates new chances for collaborations and strategic cooperation. Global networks can be used by organizations to collaborate on R&D projects, share technology resources, and access talent pools. Forming strategic alliances with foreign partners can boost innovation, quicken the acceptance of new technologies, and aid in the expansion of a company as a whole. Recruiting and retaining people requires a sophisticated strategy that is driven by global technology management. Companies need to create teams that are geographically distributed and varied while still promoting an inclusive and cooperative work environment. Understanding and adjusting to diverse employment practices, cultural norms, and career goals is essential to luring and keeping top talent across international borders.
Networked supply chains are an essential component of international technology management. Global sourcing and distribution of hardware, software, and other technological components must be managed by organizations. This include maximizing the logistics of the supply chain, reducing the risks brought on by natural disasters or geopolitical events, and making sure that technological resources are distributed in a reliable and effective manner. Organizations have difficulties with ethical issues in technology management in a worldwide environment. Diverse cultural viewpoints on matters like data privacy, the morality of artificial intelligence, and responsible technology use can give rise to ethical quandaries. Maintaining open communication with stakeholders, adhering to ethical norms, and being transparent are all necessary for navigating these ethical issues. Sustainability issues related to the environment are another aspect of global technology management. Businesses need to evaluate and reduce the negative effects of their technological systems on the environment, including carbon emissions, energy use, and electronic waste. Adopting environmentally conscious technology management techniques supports worldwide initiatives to create a more sustainable and greener future while also encouraging environmental responsibility. For worldwide operations to be consistent and effective, technology management procedures must be standardized. The establishment of standardized protocols, documentation, and standard procedures promotes smooth collaboration between heterogeneous teams, improves communication, and expedites the global deployment of technology initiatives.
In today’s globalized world, managing technology demands a thorough and calculated strategy in order to take advantage of the opportunities and overcome the obstacles given by a dynamic and interconnected environment. In order to fully realize the potential of strategic partnership, recruitment of talent, and sustainable practices, organizations must strike a balance between the complexities of varied technologies, cybersecurity concerns, cultural nuances, and regulatory compliance. One of the most important factors in determining an organization’s success in the ever changing digital age is its ability to manage technology effectively in a global setting.

Employers do not invest in fresh graduates like their predecessors: Dr Tariq Soomro

on 16/05/2024

Dream University: Knowledge Vs Job
One can see it from two aspects. One, a university that any student desires to get enrolled in, and two, a university whose majority of graduates fill prestigious vacancies. Once upon a time, we would get education for knowledge and consciousness whereas today the objective is to get a good job. A university whose degree is believed to be a trump card for the job is the highest preference.
Now have a look at it yet from another two aspects. In some good universities, a student may fail to become an impactful graduate for society while an impactful graduate may be produced by a relatively lesser-known university.
Teaching style matters
All universities have the same course set in the curriculum by accreditation bodies in Pakistan. Then why the outcomes are different? Because the teaching styles vary from one teacher to another. I look at universities from three perspectives: faculty, facility, and locality—all three aspects have a great impact on the institution. Of them, faculty makes a great difference.
Faculty, Facility, Locality & IoBM
In terms of facility and locality, we are in the run and a plus point is our status of W Category—one among Pakistan’s 9 business universities. We are improving our faculty and are adopting ways and means to reduce the burden on our faculty. But we are faced with an issue here. Our regulators want us to run degree programs and research simultaneously unlike universities abroad where one set of universities only run degree programs and the others offer research programs such as doctoral research. Our faculty in Pakistani universities are overloaded to accomplish tasks like teaching, research, and also activities linked with the functioning of the institution.
IoBM Academic Excellence Framework
To reduce the load on faculty, we have worked a lot and have made a framework, the very first in Pakistan to be put into practice in our institution. This framework passed through our BoG and got a nod. Now we want more faculty to implement such a framework but we are short of faculty and it is pretty difficult to acquire from the market.
Dearth of Faculty
Because of a bad economy, good faculty are moving abroad—a trend very much prevalent in Pakistan. So, it has created a dearth of faculty in the country. Pakistan’s academia is losing its faculty resigning to move abroad. It is posing a serious challenge and this issue may take severe shape in Pakistani universities. We neither attract new faculty nor hold the current one because of dollar-rupee parity.
Cognitive measures
Do we recognize brain drain from our universities? Yes, we do and also the thought process is everywhere. We at our university are reviewing the salary structure and have given a 10 percent raise for the time being. Since we are an established institution, we are able to manage these things but the newer universities may face more problems.
IoBM & industry
Industry wants a finished product that can be put right to work from day one. Today’s employers do not invest in fresh graduates like their predecessors in the past. When I joined the industry, I did not know the language that was in use in the company. I knew seven languages as a programmer but the 8th language that I learned was from the employer.
Model of collaboration with industry
Around 70 percent of our visiting faculty is from the industry. Our Capstone Program is well-grounded addressing real problems and the students under this program are linked with the same faculty. Resultantly, most of the graduates are picked up by the companies where the faculty is coming from. Our Capstone Program comprises over one and a half thousand projects at the moment. We have earned a name in the market and you can find our alumni in every institution.
Imminent Challenge
Faculty retention is the major challenge at the moment. We are striving to address this challenge. Then there is yet another issue pertaining to reporting to regulatory bodies. After the 18th amendment, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) was devolved but the central commission was retained at the center. Now we are reporting to HEC Islamabad as well as HEC Sindh. They do not have any coordination between them. Moreover, similar issues are experienced with other regulatory bodies too.
A growing institution
We have planned to expand in two ways. One, we have decided to move to computing for its expanding demand in the market for the next ten years. We have recently approved new computing programs in our academic council. Two, We are establishing an IT Park where we shall offer short courses in IT to students who have done matriculation or intermediate.
By Manzoor Shaikh

Our universities are not succeeding in resolving local issues of society: Dr Valiudin

on 16/05/2024

Dream University
Dreams are always there, they vary from person to person and are also coupled with societies so are the concepts of a dream university. Largely the role of universities is to impart knowledge, create it, and improve societies by its application. Every role is a comprehensive area of activities. University serves as a center where all people who have set themselves for such goals congregate for a concerted effort. This congregation leads you to achieve numerous levels of dreams that you see for any university.
My dream for Sir Syed University
I had set my goals once I joined this university. By the grace of God, we have achieved many parts of those goals like accreditation of programs, achieving KPIs in research programs, and drafting over 60 policies to create a conducive atmosphere in all areas. Each and everything is on our website to ensure transparency.
Shoulder to shoulder with the changing world
Covid 19 Pandemic taught us all. Now, we are pursuing a goal as to how to incorporate technology in all of our programs to enhance the level of learning. We were among 13 universities in terms of preparedness for online learning during the pandemic era. We do not compare ourselves with the rest of the world as we still lag far behind. We have to think collectively about how to take over 60 percent of our young population on board.
Are we failing to resolve local problems?
I feel our universities are not succeeding in resolving local issues of society. We are doing everything be it education, research, etc. but we are not addressing individual problems. Maybe we are referring to books written for different societies, research is not linked with local settings, and case studies that we use for business are also alien. We are not focusing on our problems. For instance, we {I mean all including academia, industry, and government} are still unable to solve the garbage problem in Karachi. Universities cannot work in isolation; students come from society and go back to society and work with industry and government. Unless we break the disconnect between us, we cannot succeed. Also, policies and their continuity are a must.
Inter-connectivity of universities
We {all universities} have been working in silos. Now people have begun realizing that without collective effort and connectivity, we cannot solve our problems. I can share that our university is in collaboration with numerous public as well as private universities in Pakistan. The biggest initiative in this regard is the National Idea Bank that we led taking along around 25 universities in Pakistan. Moreover, we are in collaboration with other universities in numerous programs.
Ideas Vs Reality
National Idea Bank served as a platform for interaction between the universities. It is an ongoing process but the benefit is that we are working collectively. In some programs, we are collaborating simultaneously with national and international universities. For instance, four Pakistani and three European universities are partners in a climate change program. Now we are working as collaborators rather than competitors.
Bottlenecks for implementation of projects
We need to change many things but they cannot be done with a single stroke. Things are changing wherever they can change gradually. We experienced it during our tenure at the National Idea Bank and we clinched results from the ideas that we implemented. We received every kind of support from all corners proving that the people are willing to support each other. We have finalized some projects with some other universities.
Engineering losing attraction
It is a reality. Not more than 50 percent of candidates appeared for admissions in engineering programs last year. Of course, it is not a good situation in a country like ours where the ratio of engineers should be bigger. There are multiple reasons for this situation. It will create a gap between supply and demand—a damage that we see. We see a rising demand around the world in the backdrop of emerging technologies and telecom. More and more young candidates are picking IT fields for the benefit of earning quickly. Maybe we are not able to convince the youth why engineering is necessary. They believe engineering has lost its scope. We have to work collectively.