The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Professor Hillary Owamah, has tasked Nigerian Engineers to rise to the challenges and opportunities offered by emerging smart engineering.
Owamah, in a keynote address during the World Engineering Day organized by the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), held in Abuja, challenged NSE to "continue to promote digital competence and strengthen professional standards.
The university don who spoke on the theme "Smart engineering for a sustainable future through innovation and digitalization", described smart engineering as the "intelligent integration of engineering science, data intelligence, data-driven systems, sustainability principles as well as engineering that predicts, adapts and optimizes".
He expressed satisfaction that smart engineering is no longer theory as it is already happening in Nigeria.
He further charged members of the NSE to rise to the challenge and help influence policy direction, build global partnerships, noting that "the future of Nigeria's infrastructure would reflect the quality of Nigerian Engineers".
According to him, through smart engineering driven by innovation and digitalization, "engineers must possess the tools to build the future that is resilient, sustainable, inclusive and prosperous".
According to Owamah, the sustainability of smart engineering is heavily dependent on quality education and therefore tasked tertiary institutions to produce "engineers that are digitally fluent, innovation-driven, systems oriented and ethically grounded".
He noted that Nigeria's digital economy already contributes over 15 per cent of national GDP, a situation which he said provides a strong foundation for digital engineering transformation.
The university don therefore charged Nigerian Engineers to move from "Build and Repair" to "Predict and Prevent".
Owamah therefore submitted that the future of smart engineering would not sustain itself but must be engineered, noting that the responsibility rests squarely on the shoulders of Nigerian Engineers.
Earlier, The President of NSE, Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, called for the adoption and deployment of smart engineering solutions to accelerate Nigeria’s development.
According to him, smart engineering involves the application of advanced technologies and innovative design approaches to create systems, products and structures that are efficient, sustainable and interconnected.
Rabiu noted that smart engineering represents a blend of creativity and cutting-edge tools aimed at solving real-world challenges and driving national progress.
He urged members of the Society to use the platform to generate innovative ideas capable of helping government deliver practical solutions to the lingering insecurity challenges facing the nation.
The NSE President emphasised that addressing insecurity is crucial to enhancing trade relations with other countries and attracting investments from major global corporations.
“Today provides an opportunity for us as engineers to reflect on the vital role our profession plays in shaping society and driving sustainable development.
Across the world, engineering continues to provide solutions that improve infrastructure, strengthen economies, and enhance the quality of life of people,” he added.