“How many times have I got to tell you, that bar doesn’t carry any load, so how on earth are you saying that this bar is under compression…” That was during the structural period. Every time the professor gives us a tutorial for homework I and my two friends get three different answers for the same sum. “It is impossible, you didn’t see, the other bar in the truss also has an influence…..other one started. What she says seems to be correct, but the other one who was mollycoddling her phone for sometime seems to have got interested in the matter as well, “Now now both of you have got it wrong…” “Yes yes …you are the genius and we two are as poor as two church mice…” We two started mimicking her. Three contradictory ideas, three new methods of analyzing a question, three novel methods of maneuvering a problem. So who is correct? To our utter astonishment, none of us were right. The professor came up with an entirely different answer and how on Earth are we supposed to perceive such an intricate method of analysis.
That is Engineering. Every time you see a problem vivid solutions conjure up, but there is a more appropriate solution. Engineering is about trying to investigate that particular, more practical, more economical, more sustainable solution. It is about recognizing the best out of the best.
“Hey guys you have got to submit your water cad assignment by Friday. All the assignments should be on the table of the Hydraulic department before 12 o’clock”. That was our department rep.
“Oh no way, three coursework assignments for this week. No way no way….” One of the guys was lamenting while the other was counting his fingers. “Machang you said three right, no machang for this week we have four, what about the group presentation.” Though the guy had some sarcasm in his tone for the other guy who had been absent minded, both started yelling in synchronization “How are we going to finish four assignments just in three days………….”
And that is Engineering. Every time you get a project you are given a specific deadline. Time is a limited resource and it is the duty of the Engineer to make sure that time doesn’t become a critical factor for the project. Engineering is about trying to finish your obligations within the given period of time.
“How was the paper?” A friend was asking me while I cast a few glances at my department friends who had the same despair in their faces. “Oh don’t talk about it….it was terrifying, petrifying, horrible, terrible…. I went on prattling. “Just forget it. Everyone says the same thing, the given time was not enough at all”. She was trying to console me, I knew that she was.
The path from the examination hall to the canteen was as crowded as ever. Everybody was talking about one single thing. “They should have given one hour more….” The topic in the air was about the inadequacy of the question paper.
And that is once again Engineering. Every time you are given a problem you can solve it in different ways. But only one way will differ itself from the rest as it can give the answer more quickly. The quicker the output the better it will be. Engineering is about trying to identify the best method to approach to a problem when the given constrictions are tougher than ever.
“You are the chatterbox of the group, so who else will be able to act out this part in a better way….” The script writer was running after a girl in the group trying to make her say “yes” to act in the annual drama festival of the university. She was continuously saying no. All the other girls had the same attitude towards the role. Then the main actor was explaining. “Girls you don’t have to do much, just hold the broom in your hands and go on screaming at your husband who is supposed to have come home drunk” “Yeah you think it is easy to scream at a guy in front of an audience..” The girls were receding. But after a few sessions of disputes and arbitrations the result was a fabulous drama.
This is Engineering. Every time you are given a group of subordinates. And it is the Engineer who should know how to correspond with them and get the best out of the allocated human resources. Better the interpersonal skills of the Engineer better the output of the team will be. Engineering is about trying to understand the talents and values of your colleges and allocating suitable duties for each to get the project done in a more efficient manner.
“Guys and girls we have been here in the uni for a reasonable period of time, it is time for us to do something as one group. You see some groups are going on trips, some are having parties, so as a group it is high time for us to do something different….what about organizing an alms giving at a children’s home” It was the unanimous idea of the group. We all were really enthusiastic and contributed towards the great cause. That was not the only time we got involved in social services. Many clubs in the university encouraged us to get involved in different projects that we would manifest the way we looked at the society.
And that is Engineering. Every time you get involved in a project it has to be a project that can uplift the current situation of the society. It should give many benefits to the society. Engineering is about trying to persist in a more humane manner than in a mechanical way. It is not about just constructing houses but more about creating homes for the people in the society.
“So where are we going for the group trip….” It was once again the group reps. “Everybody should come and make sure that you come here on time…….. but still… still…. You haven’t decided the place.” One guy was yelling…” Hanthane…” “No ,no” as usual the girls were rejecting. “Kandy, Sigiriya….” A whole list of places was shouted out. And during the trip it was such a wonderful experience that everybody joint in singing, dancing while some were playing the instruments.
And it is once again Engineering. Every time it is not working, every time it is not toiling for academic purposes. Engineering is about trying to find time in your busy schedules to enjoy life. It is about living not surviving.
In the Engineering faculty there are so many events that we have to take part in. Some events are compulsory while some are just for entertainment. Some batch mates get involved in sports and games while some become active members in clubs and societies. Some acquire the leadership while some move towards aesthetics. It is a city of cosmopolitan, it is a shelter for you to rest a bit, it is a stage for your talents while it is a model of the society you have to face and persevere in the future.
Narmadha Anjalee Amarasinghe
nice one!!!!a bunch of experiences........
ReplyDeleteIt awesome. You got the real meaning of Engineering but need more experiences in the future at the uni. Anyway nice one.
ReplyDelete