To mark World Engineering Day, DiscoverE has released its second annual global survey results. According to the engineering community organization, more than 10,000 engineers, technicians, and technologists from 119 countries shared their thoughts and opinions on the future of engineering in the second annual global engineer survey.
The Global Engineer Survey found that with the right support, 18-24-year-old engineers, technicians, and technologists are the most optimistic that they can solve global challenges.
The top four global challenges for engineers in the next 25 years include Securing cyberspace, Economical clean energy, Sustaining land and oceans, and Sustainable and resilient infrastructure.
The #1 factor necessary to solve global challenges is more support from the government and policymakers.
96% of engineers say that volunteering with primary and secondary students to introduce them to engineering is important.
DiscoverE also announced that the day once known as “Global Day of the Engineer” is now a joint venture with UNESCO and WFEO and has been renamed – World Engineering Day.
In 1968, the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) led the proposal to declare 4th March, the anniversary of the founding of WFEO in 1968, as the World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development.
WFEO proposed that engineers and engineering be celebrated each year, as well as the important contributions of the profession to sustainable development and modern life.
UNESCO’s General Conference proclaimed the 4 March World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development during its 40th session in November 2019, to raise awareness of the role of engineering in modern life.
According to World Engineering Day, the 17 colors of the UN Sustainable Development Goals are included in the logo and represent the Sustainable Development Goals for Water, Energy, Sustainable Infrastructure and Innovation. These are the main areas where engineers are needed most.
Due to the recent evolution of the Coronavirus (Covid-19), the inaugural World Engineering Day Ceremony that was planned to take place at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 4 March, was postponed. The new date and time will be announced.