The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and local affiliates around the world have a big job to do in helping to increase the number and quality of engineering graduates for the benefit of society, says IEEE president Michael Lightner.
The IEEE is an international non-profit organisation for the advancement of technology with more than 360 000 members in 175 countries, as well as local affiliates such as the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE).
"We all believe technology can generate potential solutions to major global problems, but technology alone cannot have a beneficial impact on people's lives," Lightner told a largely engineering audience in Sandton last night.
He explained that technology is often useless without the interaction of global companies, economic systems, global standards and social systems.
"For this reason we need more engineers with an understanding of technology to take up leadership roles in business, government and other spheres of influence to promote the required level of synergy," said Lightner.
While emphasising the importance of quality, Lightner said SA was facing a tremendous critical shortfall of technological skills.
"Considering the size of the country and the fact that there is a lot going on with technology, the number of engineering graduates is far too low and turning this around is a key challenge," he said.
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