Engineering, science and society: an inaugural lecture given in the University of Rhodesia

Abstract

As a background to the theme of this lecture, the nature of Universities is described and also the development of industry within Rhodesia over the last decade is outlined. It is upon the acknowledgement by the University of a concern in the human activity termed industry that the Faculty of Engineering within the University of Rhodesia is built, and also upon the acceptance that there exists a distinct and substantial corpus of knowledge called Engineering. The work is essentially written around the idea that Mechanical Engineering is concerned with the social and technological aspects of the harvesting, transportation, conversion and ultilisation of information, materials and energy. An outline comparative analysis is given of the Rhodesian industrial sector (both agricultural and non-agricultural) which forms part of the basis of studies in the Engineering Faculty of the University. Conclusions are drawn on four points: 1- Employment rate 2. Employment distribution 3. Efficiency of employment 4. Distribution of outputs. The implications for the University are also noted. Looking forward, new data from official sources are presented relating to skilled labour estimates for the 1975-1983 period. They show that the existing dominant position of Mechanical Engineering is expected to be maintained over at least the next decade.