IEEE: Engineers Are the Solutionists of Tomorrow; Solving Complex World Problems Through Technical Innovation

PISCATAWAY, N.J., April 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Members of IEEE, the world's largest technical professional association and engineers from across the globe are in a pivotal role to deliver societal solutions – that make a difference; that benefit humanity. They are representative of tomorrow's Solutionist: identifying problems and solving them with technical innovations and solutions that matter.

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To open the dialogue on engineering's role in bringing about innovation for a better tomorrow, IEEE created a new microsite, IEEE Solutionists (http://solutionists.ieee.org) – featuring global thought leader perspectives in engineering and technology. This site hosts a series of articles from IEEE Fellows, including Mr. Norm Augustine, Dr. Sophie Vandebroek, Dr. Vinton G. Cerf, and Dr. John Cioffi, where they offer insight on how engineers can drive technical innovation; evolve perceptions of engineers globally; show how education impacts engineering; and why it's important for engineers to follow their dreams to change the world, among other topics.

IEEE Fellows are stressing the urgency to keep competition and innovation vibrant in order to create new solutions that address world-changing challenges in energy, healthcare, sustainability, and security, while producing life-changing opportunities to ensure a better quality of life. Some of the topics highlighted on the IEEE Solutionists site include:

Engineering Innovation: Making Education and Best Talent Top Priorities

• Norm Augustine, IEEE Life Fellow and retired chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin, noted in a January 2011 Forbes article, "Scientists and engineers are celebrities in most countries. They're not seen as geeks or misfits, as they too often are in the U.S., but rather as society's leaders and innovators. In China, eight of the top nine political posts are held by engineers. In the U.S., almost no engineers or scientists are engaged in high-level politics, and there is a virtual absence of engineers in our public policy debates. Why does this matter? If American students have a negative impression – or no impression at all – of science and engineering, then they're hardly likely to choose them as professions. Already, 70% of engineers with PhDs who graduate from U.S. universities are foreign-born. Increasingly, these talented individuals are not staying in the U.S. – instead, they're returning home, where they find greater opportunities."

• In an April 2011 op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, Dr. Vinton G. Cerf, IEEE Fellow and Google's chief Internet evangelist explores how "Young people should understand and experience the thrill of science and discovery. We need to help them do real science, not just read about it, through collaborative tools that help mentors and students to interact through programs such as the IEEE's TryEngineering.org. Children learn best by seeing and doing, not by memorizing." He also noted, "It's also important to reintroduce to the American culture a higher regard for engineers and scientists. Our successful scientists and engineers should be made more visible and their voices heard more often. Most important, however, is the need to refresh and invigorate interest in and regard for science and engineering in our youth."

Promoting Engineering: Be Passionate and Follow Your Dreams

• As Dr. John Cioffi, an IEEE Fellow and CEO and chairman of Assia discussed in a February 2011 Forbes article, "Making a positive impact on society is one of the primary reasons to become an engineer – and also to become an entrepreneur. True engineering contribution does not arise solely from writing papers and making presentations, but requires a simultaneous effort to realize ideas in practice. If you don't develop these fine ideas into realistic implementations, there is a good chance no one else will either."

• In March 2011, IEEE Fellow and Xerox's chief technology officer and president of the Xerox Innovation Group, Dr. Sophie Vandebroek    stated in BusinessWeek, "We must share more frequently how rewarding it is to be an engineer. Every day I get to work with passionate people who are envisioning and then creating the future--today: engineers and scientists who are making the planet a better place by addressing important issues such as climate change, health care, hunger, and more."

"Engineers hold a powerful role in delivering societal solutions that can inspire technical and non-technical communities to innovate for a better future," said Dr. Moshe Kam, IEEE president and CEO, and Department Head of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Drexel University. "We are driving a cultural change in how the world--and especially our youth--think about engineers, as providers of valuable solutions that impact daily life.  These solutions raise the standard of living, preserve finite resources, and protect the environment."

In a compelling video titled, "IEEE Solutionists – Engineers, Exciting a New Generation of What If," IEEE showcases how engineers are crossing engineering disciplines and industries to apply computing, technology, math and science to solve complex world problems. The video encourages viewers to think about how the 1.6 million engineers worldwide are behind some of the greatest innovations and inventions of modern times. This video can be found on the IEEE Solutionists site, or on IEEE's Solutionists YouTube page.

For more information on IEEE, or to speak with one of IEEE's featured Solutionists, please contact: [email protected].

About IEEE

IEEE, the world's largest technical professional association, is dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. IEEE is the trusted voice on a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics. Learn more at http://www.ieee.org.

SOURCE IEEE