| Abstract : |
The presentation discusses the essential of the philosophy of engineering, and the importance of using this philosophy to engineering management. The presentation begins with the definition of science, technology, engineering and innovation. The relationship among science, technology, engineering and innovation, as well as the distinct features of engineering will be discussed. The key of engineering philosophy is system integration and optimization. The six principles of system integration will be explored.
Whilst engineering utilizes mathematics in its methods, the kinds of complex problems that engineers face outrun mathematical methods. It is difficult to straightforwardly apply deductive reasoning to problems which involve radically different factors such as cost, safety, aesthetics as well as technical matters. Therefore, in order to solve problems, engineers look at past designs and past solutions, and draw analogies between their problem and these paradigm examples. They must assimilate other problems to the one that they face, and this involves a highly developed ability to see analogies and disanalogies.
Another characteristic aspect of engineering method is the role of practice. Whilst in science there is a three way relationship between knowledge, theory and experiment (each element informing the others), in engineering there is a four way relationship, which includes practice. Practice motivates theory and experiment in engineering (there is a practical purpose for most research), and engineering knowledge informs, and is also informed by engineering practice. Any philosophy of engineering must, therefore, accommodate the more complex structure of engineering method.
Engineering is the process of applying knowledge and skill to conceive, design, make, build, operate, sustain, recycle or retire something of significant technical content for a specific purpose; this might for example be a concept, a model, a development, a product, a device a process, a system, or a technology. |
| Biography : |
Prof. C. C. Chan holds degrees of BSc, MSc, PhD, Honorary Doctor of Sciences and Honorary Doctor of Technology. He has had over 10 years industrial experience and over 40 years academic experience. He is currently the Honorary Professor and the former Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, the University of Hong Kong. He is the Founding President of the International Academy for Advanced Study. He served as Visiting Professor of a number of well-known universities around the world, including MIT, University of California Berkeley, University of Cambridge, etc. He is Co-founder and President of the World Electric Vehicle Association, the President of the Electric Vehicles Association of Asia Pacific, and Past President of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers. He also serves as Senior Consultant to governments and industries worldwide. Prof. Chan is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, U.K., the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the Ukraine Academy of Engineering Sciences, and the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences. He is also a Fellow of IEEE, IET and HKIE. He received the IEE International Lecture Medal in 2000 and delivered lectures on electric vehicles worldwide. He was selected as one of Asia's Best Technology Pioneers by Asiaweek in 2001, named as “Father of Asian Electric Vehicles” by Magazine Global View, and named as "Pitamaha (Grandfather) of Electric Vehicle Technology" by the Principal Scientific Advisor of the Government of India. He received the "Environmental Excellence in Transportation Award" from the Society of Automotive Engineers U.S.A. in 2007, and the Honour of "China Automobile Industry Character" in 2008. He was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Technology (Hon DTech) by the Loughborough University U.K. in 2008. He authored and coauthored 11 books, over 300 technical papers and holds 9 patents. |