Recently, one of my batch mates invited me to join a facebook group called “engineers against corruption”. It was with a good intention and without any hesitation that I joined that group. However, it made me to think of various other things. Are there engineers supporting corruption? If so, why?

As engineers, we have learnt ethics while in the universities. Then we have taken an oath when we received our charter certificate saying that we would not be involved in such corruption.

I still remember, when I was reading for my PhD, one Japanese professor who taught me Construction Management, stressed to us that we should not accept even a cup of coffee from a contractor if you are a consultant. All these things resurfaced in my mind after joining with that facebook group.

Actually where are we? Are we just saying YES to any project proposed by a politician without raising our voice in terms of engineering judgment? We all are responsible for public funds and we must deliver the correct output. But, unfortunately, engineers’ voice is not well heard. Engineers must do politics and then only they can talk against corruption. We always see engineers as neutral in politics and try to serve the nation within their capacity. No doubt, this must be very well respected, but we must realize that the country needs our intervention more than that.

As IESL, I do believe, we must talk against corruption and against wrong engineering decisions. Our members are really keen to listen to real facts than an idealized outcome. Therefore, I urge the engineering community to liaise with IESL and become a stronger body to talk against corruption. In conclusion, I do like the phrase, “engineers against corruption”.

Udeni P. Nawagamuwa
nawagamuwa@gmail.com