Do you know the difference between Science, Technology and Engineering?

Do you know the difference between Science, Technology and Engineering?

Can you tell me what is the difference between a Scientist – a Technologist – and – an Engineer? 

I remember that I had been asked a similar question about the definition of Science, Engineering and Technology many years ago when I used to conduct an induction training program – and – in response – in addition to answering the question – I had written a blog post on the subject.

Let me delve into my academic writing journal archives and pull out this post which I had written more than 8 years ago – in the year 2008 – during my “Professorship” days...

SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING
Meaning and Definition
By 
VIKRAM KARVE

From my Academic Writing Archives:

Here is an article I wrote during my teaching days, while conducting an induction training program, more than 8 years ago, in the year 2008...

SCIENCE ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY –  SCIENTIST, ENGINEER, TECHNOLOGIST  –  What is the Difference...?

Long back, during my teaching days, once when I was talking to some youngsters undergoing an induction training program, I realized that they did not know the difference between Science, Engineering and Technology. 

Some of the trainees had degrees in Technology (B.Tech. / M.Tech.), some had degrees in Engineering (B.E. / M.E.) and a few had degrees in Science (B.Sc., B.S., M.Sc., M.S).

I called two trainees.

One had a B.Tech. (Bachelor of Technology) degree in Electrical Engineering.

The other had a B.E. (Bachelor of Engineering) degree in the same discipline.

I asked then what was the difference between a B. Tech. degree and a B.E. degree?

They were clueless.

I asked all the trainees if they knew the difference between Science, Engineering and Technology?

No one seemed to know.

Tell me – do you know the difference between Science, Engineering and Technology?

In many research organizations – like DRDO – even Engineers and Technologists are designated as Scientists. 

Do you know what is the difference between Science, Technology and Engineering?

Can you tell me what is the difference between a Scientist, a Technologist and an Engineer? 

Let me try to elaborate – in as simple a way as possible.

SCIENCE and the SCIENTIST

Science is the reasoned investigation or study of natural phenomena with the objective of discovering new principles and knowledge of natural phenomena.

The principal goal of a Scientist is to publish a research paper. 

Now-a-days, the sheer manner in which so many papers are churned out it seems that many research papers are seen to be written and not written to be seen.

Of course, a genuine Scientist will try and ensure that a research paper must be written to be seen and not seen to be written. 

TECHNOLOGY and the TECHNOLOGIST

Technology is the practical application of science.

Technology includes the skill, technique and knowledge of the manipulation of nature for human purposes, using scientific results and knowledge.

The principal goal of a Technologist is to produce some physical change in the world. 

ENGINEERING and the ENGINEER 

Engineering is the professional art of using technology (the practical application of science) for achieving the optimum conversion of the resources of nature for the benefit of humankind.

In order to exploit technology, the engineer applies scientific principles to practical ends such as the design, manufacture, and operation of efficient and economical structures, machines, processes and systems. 

The principal goal of an Engineer is to design, create and produce new tools, machines and systems for practical human means by exploiting technology.

 

WHO IS MOST USEFUL TO SOCIETY – SCIENTIST TECHNOLOGIST or ENGINEER?

In a nutshell:

a Scientist studies nature

a Technologist manipulates nature 

an Engineer exploits technology for human purposes.

While Scientists may, at times, may conduct scientific studies for the sake of discovery, Engineers and Technologists always try to have in mind the ultimate benefit of humankind and results of their work are invariably beneficial for human purposes.

Engineering is the art of optimally using technology and is primarily concerned with how to direct to useful and economical ends the natural phenomena which scientists discover and formulate into acceptable. 

Engineering therefore requires the creative imagination to innovatively apply technology in order to obtain useful applications of natural phenomena. 

It seeks newer, cheaper, better technologies of using natural sources of energy and materials. 

Science pertains more to Academic Education whereas Engineering is related to Skill Development.

It will primarily Engineers who can make the recent “Make in India” campaign a success.

 

So it looks like the Engineer is the one who is most useful to society and humankind – isn’t it?

Dear Reader – do you agree? 

Or do you feel that the Scientist is more important that the Engineer? 

Or do you think there is no difference between Science, Technology and Engineering? 

Please do give your views and comments.

ENGINEERING – Definition

A Gobbledygook Definition of ENGINEERING

Now I have tried to tell you in as simple a way as possible, but if you prefer Gobbledygook read on:

The American Engineers’ Council for Professional Development  has defined Engineering as follows: 

 

Engineering is:

“The creative application of scientific principles to design or develop structures, machines, apparatus, or manufacturing processes, or works utilizing them singly or in combination; or to construct or operate the same with full cognizance of their design; or to forecast their behavior under specific operating conditions; all as respects an intended function, economics of operation and safety to life and property”

WHY INDIA IS STILL TECHNOLOGICALLY BACKWARD DESPITE INVESTING SO MUCH MONEY AND HUMAN RESOURCE IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

India could not capitalize on its Scientific Developments since our Engineering and Technology were weak. 

There is no use pursuing scientific research without strong engineering capability and robust technological base. 

There is no use inventing and discovering new things if you cannot utilize your inventions and discoveries for the benefit of mankind.

CONCLUSION

I think I will end with a quote:

“A good Scientist is a person with original ideas. 
A good Engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible. 
There are no ‘Prima Donnas’ in Engineering”

                                                                     ~ Freeman Dyson 

Now – you tell me – who do you think is most useful to society – a Scientist – a Technologist – or – an Engineer...?

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
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Disclaimer:

All Stories in this Blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

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TRAINING and EDUCATION

TRAINING and EDUCATION
Musings
By
VIKRAM KARVE

Training Strategy is the sine qua non for the efficacy of a Training Programme.

In fact – Training Strategy is the basis for Training Design and Implementation. 

That is why – the first thing I used to do before designing a training programme – was to reflect, explore, consider, analyse and decide as to which Training Philosophy is relevant to the context in the particular Training Need and Environment.

There are 3 basic Training Philosophies:

1.Confucian Training Philosophy

2. Zen Training Philosophy

3. On-the-job Training Philosophy

You must formulate your Training Strategy as per your Training Philosophy. 

Thus – Training Philosophy is the foundation – the core – of the “Art of Training”.



CONFUCIAN TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
Objective of Confucian Training Philosophy:

The aim of training is to qualify the trainee for a more important job.

In other words – Training is inextricably linked with Career Advancement.

Most Military Training Courses are based on the Confucian Training Philosophy.

Since Confucian Type Training is primarily for promotion – if the training is not followed by promotion or career advancement quickly enough – non-realization of expectations may create frustration and resentment in the trainee.



ZEN TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
Objective of Zen Training Philosophy:

The purpose of training is continuous improvement in performance.

The emphasis here is on “continuous improvement”.
The aim of training is to improve the present performance of the trainee – by focusing on excellence in work and self-development. 

Zen Type training aims at strengthening the inner urge and enhancing requisite skills for work-excellence and job-satisfaction – without the trainee expecting any tangible material reward or career advancement due to the training.



“ON THE JOB” TRAINING

And – of course – if you want to avoid a formal training programme altogether – there is always my favourite good old time-tested “On-The-Job Training” philosophy which is breathtaking in its simplicity:

“Entrust a man with responsibility – and then tell him to get on with the job!”

It is called “On the Job Training” and it always works – you can take my word for it!

In my next blog post – I will tell you a story on On-The-Job Training.



TRAINING versus EDUCATION

Hey – Dear Reader – can you this please tell us the difference between Training and Education.

Is there a difference? 

Difference between Training and Education:
In my opinion – the difference between Training and Education is as follows:

1. The Aim of Training is to develop the required Skills in the Trainee

2. The Aim of Education is to enhance the Knowledge of the Student

In a nutshell:

Training pertains to skill development

Education pertains to enhancement of knowledge

If so – what are various “Education Philosophies” akin to “Training Philosophies”?

Hey – you academics and thinkers and educationists out there.

Please throw some more light on this subject – so that we don’t confuse Training with Education – and vice versa. 


FOOD FOR THOUGHT

In a developing country like India – we need a skilled workforce.

Sadly – in India – we focus too much on Education. 

We have too many highly qualified individuals who are unemployable because they do not have the requisite skills.

Even Engineering and Technology Courses focus more on bookish knowledge than practical skill development.

Owing to this – most industrial organisations have to conduct induction training to develop the requisite skills – and make these degree engineers ready for work on the “shopfloor” – to put is metaphorically – and even I have had the opportunity to conduct Induction Training for newly recruited engineers and scientists.

Indian needs SKILL DEVELOPMENT – and – to achieve this – we have to focus more on TRAINING – rather than Degree Oriented Bookish EDUCATION.

We keep opening IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology) – but - in actual fact – we need more ITIs (Industrial Training Institutes).

In any case – most IIT students migrate abroad to USA for lucrative careers and to realize their American Dream – so – India does not gain much from IITs.

On the other hand – ITI trainees work in Indian Industries.

We need more ITIs – maybe an ITI in each district.

So – we should proliferating IITs – and start opening ITIs instead.

Yes – in order to achieve “skill development” – India needs more ITIs than IITs.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

     

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.