Engineers asked to contribute for positive change

Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 4 (EMN): Minister for Public Work Department (Housing and Mechanical), Tongpang Ozukum, has called upon the engineering fraternity in the state to contribute towards ushering positive change and also devise mechanisms to achieve sustainable development goals adopted by the Unesco.

Ozukum stated this while speaking as the special guest on the occasion of World Engineering Day at Hotel Vivor in Kohima on March 4 organised by the Federation of Engineering Service Associations (Fonsesa). According to him the World Engineers Day is a time for the world to ponder on the remarkable contributions and achievements made by the engineering fraternity worldwide in advancing sustainable developments.

He opined that the celebration would also create awareness on the role of engineering in modern day society which is essential to mitigate the impact of climate change and advance sustainable development in many places.

Reminding on the fast pace changing world with new developments, the minister was of the view that the world would come to a standstill without engineers as there won't be any constructions whether it be roads, bridges or buildings, powers, reliable energy, communication, sustainable resources, self-driven cars etc.

He exuded confidence that the 2nd Unesco engineering report called "Engineering for sustainable development: Delivering on the sustainable development goals” published in the new context of accelerating the delivery of sustainable development goals (SDGS) of Unesco- 2030 would serve the engineering fraternity in the state. He added that the report calls on global collaboration among governments, industries, civil societies to promote engineering innovations and to transform engineering professions with stronger capacity to respond to the pressing challenges faced by mankind and the planet and to shape a peaceful, prosperous, inclusive and sustainable world for all people.

He also pointed out that the new report showcased how inclusive and equitable engineering professions could bring about new perspectives and thus respond to the shortage of engineers. He maintained that the new report would exemplify engineers as the ‘protagonist of innovation’ and responsible for building social progress to serve humanity and protect the environment in this fast changing world.

He, therefore, urged the Fonsesa members to initiate drastic steps to achieve all the Unesco sustainable development goals.

“In order to do that, you must connect with the people as members of World Federation of Engineering Organisation, (WFEO),” he said and added that Fonsesa must share innovative ideas to the policy makers, civil societies and other organisations to make the society aware of its responsibilities and contribute something to protect and preserve the world.

On the occasion, the minister also released the ‘Vision Documents 2021’ of the Association of Power Engineers Nagaland (APEN) for sustainable development of Nagaland state power sector and expressed hope that the document would be ‘converted into reality for the benefit of all’.

The minister further encouraged the Fonsesa members to be more active to let the people know of their existence by doing something extraordinary, something great or even with dedicated initiatives in achieving the sustainable development goals adopted by Unesco.

Delivering the welcome address, Fonsesa president, Moa Aier informed that the Unesco, in its 40th general conference in November 2019, had resolved to celebrate World Engineering Day for sustainable development. He added that the World Engineering Day for sustainable development would be celebrated annually from 2020 onwards.

Aier stated that the celebration of World Engineering Day is also about promoting engineering as a career and to change the world for the better. He added that ‘there is a great deal to be done’ especially to achieve the UN sustainable development goals in developing countries to ensure everyone has access to clean water, sanitation, reliable energy, and other basic human needs.

“There is also a great deal to be done - to deal with the impacts of climate change, environmental issues, our growing cities and the challenges of new technologies including artificial intelligence,” said the president.

Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) T Yangseo Sangtam and a host of federating unit members from Association of Engineers Public Word Department (AOE PWD); Association of Power Engineers Nagaland (APEN); Association of Public Engineering Nagaland (APHEN); Association of Mechanical Engineers (AOME); Engineers Association of New and Renewable Energy (EANRE); Water Resource Department Engineers Association Nagaland (WRDEAN) and Association of Engineers of Department of Geology and Mining (AOE DGM) attended the programme.