I was invited by the Geodetic Engineers of the Philippines during their December 8, 2018 GEP Negros Oriental-Siquijor Chapter Assembly as keynote speaker.
As a non-engineer, I am much humbled yet honored by their invitation to speak before an array of geodetic engineers. I feel that I can relate to Prince Charles of Wales in the year 2012 when he spoke to the Institution of Civil Engineers of England. Recalling his words, he said, “I would like to thank and commend you all for taking such a courageous plunge and inviting such a formidably under-qualified non-engineer to address such a formidably knowledgeable audience.”
However, despite my lack of credentials in the field of geodetic engineering, I tried to share my thoughts about the group’s theme “Stronger United GEP to Sustain Global Competence”, from the point of views of a public servant, a former policy- and decision-maker, as an advocate of environment protection, as a cooperative movement leader, and as a church flock steward.
The Philippines consists of 7,107 islands covering 300,000 square kilometers (30 million hectares), including 298,170 square kilometers of land and 1,830 square kilometers of water. Land distribution is highly distorted and much of the land is somewhat or severely weather-beaten. Despite a range of land reforms, a significant number of rural people remain landless, and there is a swelling urban population living in informal settlements. While a huge percentage of lands have been redistributed, some of the most productive and fertile agricultural lands remain in the hands of wealthy private landowners. Lack of access to land and natural resources by most of the population is a major cause of poverty, a driver of conflict and an obstacle to national development.
As a good or an article of trade, land has a distinctive attribute, that is, it is immovable and cannot be destroyed. In creating a cadastral plan or map, cadastral records are created so that the unit of land can be located readily, without doubt and explicitly at any time on the ground.
The geodetic engineer is the first land science professional to lay the foundation for the development of a parcel-based land information system where a number of technical and socio-economic information can be overlaid — fiscal, legal, planning, land use, CSO data, etc. The integrity of the engineer’s information is the strength of the development of a national land information system that can be used at the macro level of socio-economic national planning and the micro level for infrastructural development where the information is readily available for decision making purposes, the development of business plans, and generation of project financing.
But what’s the relevance of globalization to geodetic engineers and to their future in the field? I can answer that with one word — Everything. No matter what area of geodetic engineering they enter, their ability to remain on the leading edge, and to progress in their organization, will depend largely on their capacity to connect and communicate globally.
It is important for us to recognize that the world we live in has become more interconnected and interdependent. We all face many challenges, including global poverty, health, economic recessions, trade imbalances and political instability.
The century we are in poses challenges as formidable as any from millennia past. As the population grows and its needs and desires expand, the problem of sustaining civilization’s continuing advancement, while still improving the quality of life, looms more immediate. Old and new threats to personal and public health demand more effective and more readily available treatments. Vulnerabilities to pandemic diseases, terrorist violence, and natural disasters require serious searches for new methods of protection and prevention. And products and processes that enhance the joy of living remain a top priority of engineering innovation, as they have been since the taming of fire and the invention of the wheel.
In each of these broad realms of human concern – sustainability, health, vulnerability, and joy of living – specific grand challenges await engineering solutions. The world’s cadre of engineers will seek ways to put knowledge into practice to meet these grand challenges. Applying the rules of reason, the findings of science, the aesthetics of art, and the spark of creative imagination, engineers will continue the tradition of forging a better future. Foremost among the challenges are those that must be met to ensure the future itself. The Earth is a planet of finite resources, and its growing population currently consumes them at a rate that cannot be sustained.
Many of these challenges cut across national, cultural, and ethnic boundaries. Making progress with these challenges will require the cooperation of individuals and nations to overcome governmental and institutional, political and economic, and personal and social barriers that could impede the solutions to these problems. To make progress, engineers will need to not only navigate these barriers, but also possess an understanding of the technologies involved and provide the leadership necessary to implement solutions.
Today, engineering includes work that involves interaction in a transnational environment. It is not uncommon for engineers to be involved in large, complex, and multinational projects. These projects include working in teams with members distributed throughout the world. Diversity within teams is common with many different cultural and language characteristics. Many engineers will live and work in different countries during part of their career and many others interact on a regular basis with people of different languages and cultures. These interactions increase the need for improved language and communication skills and the ability to interact with people of different cultures.
We all need to recognize the fact that globalization is not a passing phenomenon. It is here to stay. Therefore, it is important to identify, develop and provide opportunities for international collaboration and interaction and to focus on developing global competence as an important outcome. To remain competitive therefore, geodetic engineers must develop professional skills beyond the core technical skills and should include the acquisition and development of global competence.
But why should geodetic engineers exert effort in achieving global competence? Let me cite a few instances to show the importance of achieving global competence in their practice. For instance, those involved in conducting business in other countries or cultures are often confronted with different laws, methods of conducting business, and engineering practices. An understanding of the business culture and customs within each country, together with a respect for different worldviews, can help improve one’s ability to conduct business in an efficient manner. It is also important to understand the law in the country of operation and the differences between countries in order to avoid legal impediments.
For a geodetic engineer who can appreciate new and developing markets, it will provide him unique engineering opportunities to design and implement appropriate engineering solutions. For instance, a solution that may work for the United States would potentially not work in certain parts of Africa due to the lack of accessibility to electricity, clean water, telephone and the Internet.
Engineering solutions and product use may also be affected by customs, cultural practices, or the availability of materials and supplies. Therefore, it is important that engineers deliver product development and engineering systems that are culturally appropriate and meet the needs of a diverse global community.
It is common knowledge that variances in laws, in the conduct of business, and the practice of engineering diverge across countries and cultures; what is considered ethical in one country may not be considered ethical in another country. For example, it is common in some countries for companies to provide bribes or kickbacks to conduct business, while in other countries this practice would be considered unethical or illegal. Therefore, as you interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds, it is important that you show ethical behavior in all aspects of you behavior, both personally and professionally.
While basic skills development and workforce preparation abilities are important in the Philippine education system, a paradigm shift has taken place recognizing the fact that in order for us to be truly globally competitive, we must be globally competent. Educating young people to become global citizens will allow them to learn about the interdependence of the world’s systems, to believe that solutions to global challenges are attainable, to feel morally compelled to confront global injustices and take responsible action to promote a just, peaceful and sustainable world.
While at first glance a focus on global citizenship may seem secondary in a system where basic literacy remains a challenge for many, these skills are vital. If we truly aspire to have a world-class education system in our country, we must engage with the world. The challenges that face the world today–from global poverty and climate change to financial systems and conflict–require globally-minded solutions. Global competency skills are necessary so that young people can invent a future that appropriately addresses global challenges.
So I say to all geodetic engineers today — as we aim to reinvent Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, and the Philippines, we must reinvent our idea of the necessary skills to succeed in this century and the coming centuries of our lives — we must go beyond reading, writing and math. Our efforts must include global citizenship and competency. Then, and only then, can we all become truly “world class” and globally competent.
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Author’s email: wea_129@yahoo.com
