Engineers Australia eNews contains the latest news from Engineers Australia and
a calendar of events.

2008 – Year of the Engineering Team

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Daily engineering news

Geotechnical engineer wins Victorian award

Darren Paul, the winner of Engineers Australia Victoria Division's Young Professional Engineer of the Year award, in Dubai.

Darren Paul has been announced as the Engineers Australia Victoria Division's 2008 Young Professional Engineer of the year. The award which includes a cash prize of $3000 will be presented by the Victoria Division at a dinner on 20 November.
Paul is working as geotechnical project manager with Golder Associates for the Nakheel Tower in Dubai, which is aiming to be the tallest built structure in the world.
A highly commended award of $1500 will be presented to chemical engineer Mark Williams who works as an interface engineer with Production Services Network. The award recognises Williams' proficiency in his field of oil and gas and participation as chair of Young Engineers Australia Victoria over the past two years.
For information on attending the award presentation, visit the Victoria Division website.

Salary survey now open

Independent research company New Focus is conducting Engineers Australia's sixth annual online salary survey. The survey is targeted at engineering employers in the public and private sectors, which provide information on engineers' salaries, conditions and benefits.
The survey should be filled out by HR officers/managers, as it gathers information across a variety of different grades and types of engineers.
The nominated person who completes the survey will automatically go in the draw to win a weekend getaway (two nights) valued at $750 in an executive suite, including breakfasts and dinner at a top class hotel in their nearest capital city.
Last year 143 employers completed the online survey. Their responses reflected the salary, benefits and working conditions of approximately 13,000 employees.
Jenny O’Donovan, Engineers Australia’s national manager for careers, said this year we are keen to increase the number of respondents from public organisations and companies employing chemical, IT, telecommunications, environmental and mining engineers. O’Donovan said she is particularly interested in benchmarking salaries by engineering discipline across states. 
The survey will be open until 28 November and can be completed by clicking the links below.
To complete the survey, click here.
If this does not work, due to your browser's security settings, click here.

Mechanical engineer of the year announced

Darren Lomman has won the award for Young Mechanical Engineer of the Year from Engineers Australia's College of Mechanical Engineers.
The award recognises Lomman's achievement as CEO of Dreamfit Foundation. There, he used his mechanical engineering skills to develop technologies that can be used to modify recreation equipment to make them accessible for people with disabilities.
These modifications include a hand-controlled motorcycle, ski boat with hoist, seated surfboard, joystick-controlled hovercraft, and an abseiling tower for wheelchair users. 
His collaboration with the University of Western Australia enabled mentoring and skills development of 150 engineering students each year. 
He was Young Australian of the Year in 2007. 

Governor-General accepts role as Patron of Engineers Australia

Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, has accepted the invitation by the National President, Julie Hammer, to assume the position of Patron of Engineers Australia.
Her Excellency brings more than forty years of experience in reform, community building and leadership to the role of Governor-General.
"Having Her Excellency as our Patron not only honours the objectives of Engineers Australia, but will continue to strengthen its role for the benefit of the Australian community," Julie Hammer said.
More information about Her Excellency and the role and activities of the of the Governor-General is available at www.gg.gov.au. 

NSW university in world's top 30 for engineering

In the recently-released QS World University Rankings 2008, the University of New South Wales (UNSW) was the highest-ranked Australian university for engineering and IT. Based on responses to the survey, it achieved a ranking of 27.
It was followed by the University of Melbourne (28) and the Australian National University (ANU) (36).
The top three were the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of California and Stanford University. In producing the rankings, factors were assessed using weighted indicators, with academic peer review having the highest priority. The other indicators were faculty student ratio, citations per faculty, employer review, international faculty and international students.
In the overall rankings however, UNSW dropped to 45th place. The highest Australian university in this list was ANU at 16 followed by the University of Sydney in 37th place and the University of Melbourne in 38th place. The top university in overall rankings was Harvard University.

When engineers enter politics

Current members of China's Politburo Standing Committee who are engineers (l-r) Wu Bangguo, Jia Qinglin, Xi Jinping and He Guoqiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing last year. PHOTO: Newspix

Having engineers in leading government positions could result in better longterm planning for a country. But at the same time it could lead to undemocratic decision-making, corruption or a failure to accommodate opposing views, as is the case in China.
These points were made in a recent article “Ruled by engineers” in issue 17 of Engineering & Technology (E&T) magazine.
The E&T article pointed to the nine members of China’s Politburo Standing Committee (PSC) who are all engineers. This includes the president Hu Jintao and premier Wen Jiabo.
The article suggested that although engineering-trained leaders understand the importance of manufacturing in wealth creation, a variety of professions at the head of a country is desirable.
It mentioned engineers holding political office in other countries such as in Iran including the president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and European countries such as France.
“The situation is very different in Anglo-Saxon countries, where engineers stay out of politics – only four engineers in the US Congress and a handful in the British House of Commons.
“As the saying goes, [engineers] design everything but the laws.”

New chair appointed to RedR

Dr Robert Care, chief executive officer and chair of Arup Australasia, has been appointed the new chair of RedR Australia.
He replaces Professor Michael Dureau, who spent five years in the role. Care has served on the RedR Australia board since 2005.
Currently, 28 RedR Australia personnel are on assignment working around the world in locations including Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Eritrea, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, South Africa and the Maldives.

Notices

New journal out now

The latest issue of the Australian Journal of Electrical & Electronics Engineering, vol 5 no 1, is now available from Engineers Australia.
The journal has papers on hydro generator high-voltage stator windings, optimal design and modelling of a photovoltaic-wind hybrid system and synthesis of single phase DC/AC inverters, among others.
To purchase a printed copy, email Pam Chenery at Engineers Media or phone 02 9438 1533.
To purchase individual papers, visit the Engineers Media website and click on the "Technical Journals" section. Click on Non-subscriber Access and then on the relevant cover and paper title.
If you are already a subscriber to the journals, you can access the papers at the Engineers Australia website by clicking on Member Services > Library Services and Subscription Library Services (e-Pubs)

Meeting to discuss possible merger

A special general meeting of the Manufacturing Society of Australia to be held in Melbourne has been called by the National Council in accordance with the constitution, to debate and vote on the following resolution:
"That the Manufacturing Society of Australia merge with the Society of Australian Industry and Employment."
It is anticipated that there will be a significant debate. An action plan arising from the meeting will be formulated.
The meeting will be on Wednesday 3 December at Engineering House, 21 Bedford Street, North Melbourne at 6pm.
Please email acceptances with details to John Blakemore masc@blakemore.com.au or call 0414 970758.

Notice of annual general meeting 2008

The 88th annual general meeting of Engineers Australia will be held in the Members Dining Room 2 of the Old Parliament House in Parkes on 20 November.

Electronic voting for Division elections

Following a successful trial last year, Engineers Australia will be providing electronic voting for all division elections in 2008.
Voting has already opened for members of Sydney Division and will close on 21 November. For members of Victoria Division, voting opens on 6 November and closes on 26 November.
Eligible members of these divisions will be sent voting information by email, and will be able to vote online. Postal voting information will be sent to eligible members who are not able to be reached by email.
Check and update your member contact details online now, to ensure that you can vote online. Look for “update your contact details” on the Engineers Australia home page.

Get in early for Christmas event

The Christmas Networking Event for Engineers Australia South Australia Division will be held at Jolleys Boathouse on the banks of the Torrens on 27 November. The cost is $15. Prior to the Christmas Networking Event there will be a short AGM.
To attend either event, RSVP by 20 November to Norma Cowan, fax 8239 0932, email ncowan@engineersaustralia.org.au.

Technical tour of Japan

Engineers Australia is inviting expressions of interest for the 2009 Technical Tour to Japan.
On this 21-day tour, participants will fly Singapore Airlines into Tokyo spending four nights there before visiting Hakone, Nagoya, Matsumoto, Takayama, Nara, Hiroshima, Kyoto and Osaka.
Projects in mind include the International Airport, a motor vehicle manufacturing plant and the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway Control Centre. Other initiatives include latest developments with solar energy and exhibition centers.
Both members and their partners are welcome to join the tour. Credits can be earned towards continuing professional development and costs incurred should qualify as a tax deduction for practising engineers.
Members interested in the tour who would like to receive further information should contact Maria McNamara 02 6270 6568 / 0402947725 or email pmcnamara@engineersaustralia.org.au.

Have a say in where Engineers Australia is going

Members are invited to contribute to the development of the next strategic plan for Engineers Australia (EA). The plan will provide the framework for EA's activities over the period 2010 to 2015.
Planning sessions will be undertaken in Divisions, College Boards, and special interest groups over the next few months. 
A final planning forum will be held next July, with the intention of recommending a new plan to Congress in November 2009.
The strategic plan must represent the interests of EA members and the community at large.
For more information, or to submit suggestions or comments, visit www.engineersaustralia.org.au/strategicplan2010.

Publications

Coaching for Emotional Intelligence

Bob Wall        
$36.32 + GST = $39.95  

This book will show managers how to develop emotional intelligence in their employees - and in themselves. You will discover # How to establish guiding principle for work, culture and teamwork and more…
2007 9780814408902 220pp. Read more...


Sprayed Concrete Lined Tunnels

Alun Thomas           
$152.73 + GST = $168

Engineers will find this unique reference contains guidance not widely available on the design and construction of sprayed concrete lined (SCL) tunnels.
2007  9780415368643  288pp. Read more...



Preventive Maintenance

Terry Wireman       
$60 + GST = $66

All components of a winning maintenance strategy are mutually dependent and comprehensive, and clearly defined performance measures are needed to deliver a thorough preventive maintenance program.
2007 9780831133009 350pp. Read more...

Calendar

Engineering Education Australia will run the following short courses:

• Financial management (2 days) Adelaide 10 Nov, Melbourne 24 Nov
• Contract management (2 days) Sydney 10 Nov, Melbourne 17 Nov, Brisbane 24 Nov
• Managing cultural differences (1 day) Sydney 10 Nov, Melbourne 24 Nov, Brisbane 27 Oct
• Coaching skills for leaders (2 days) Sydney 11 Nov, Melbourne 18 Nov, Brisbane 21 Oct, Perth 25 Nov
• Relationship management in project delivery (2 days) Adelaide 11 Nov, Melbourne 18 Nov, Perth 25 Nov
• Negotiation skills (2 days) Adelaide 11 Nov
• Breakthrough strategies for women engineers (1 day) Melbourne 12 Nov, Sydney 19 Nov, Newcastle 20 Nov, Townsville 26 Nov;
• Relate to Aussies (1 day) Perth 12 Nov, Adelaide 21 Nov
• Personal time management (1 day) Sydney 12 Nov, Melbourne 19 Nov, Brisbane 26 Nov
• Writing winning technical documents (2 days) Darwin 13 Nov, Sydney 26 Nov
• Time management (1 day) Adelaide 13 Nov
• Project management (2 days) Sydney 13 Nov, Melbourne 20 Nov, Brisbane 27 Nov
• Creating and managing networks for successful business relationships (2 days) Perth 13 Nov, Adelaide 24 Nov.
• Process improvement through total quality management and lean (2 days) Perth 20 Nov