Business ethics

IN A quest to maintain high standards in the field of civil engineering, a seminar on Continuous Professional Development, was organised under the auspices of the Institute of Civil Engineering, U.K., the British Council, Larsen & Toubro Limited ECC Division, Chennai, and the National Board of Accredition, AICTE, Government of India, recently.

The half-day seminar had presentations by senior officials from the Institute of Civil Engineering (ICE), the U.K. and India, and the National Board of Accredition (NBA) of the All India Council for Technical Education, Government of India.

In the keynote address, Mr. A. Ramakrishna, Deputy Manager, L&T Ltd. (as Mr. Ramakrishna was not present, the address was read out) mentioned that due to the economic liberalisation, the Indian construction industry, like other industries, is exposed to global players and international practices. The international protocols to which India is signatory, would influence the way the Indian construction industry conducts business.

The ICE is a U.K.-based international organisation which was granted its Royal Charter in 1828. Started at the time of the Industrial Revolution, its purpose was to enable civil engineers to meet the challenges of the day. Mr. John Whitwell, Director International, ICE, the U.K., said that it would greatly benefit Indian civil engineers to qualify and become members of the ICE. At this point of time, India is faced with tremendous challenges in infrastructure building/re-building. And a membership in the ICE would give it an edge to face these challenges.

A membership with the ICE would put Indian civil engineers on the global map. International mobility would give them exposure and experience and thereby, enable them to improve their work. Mr. John Whitwell, however, mentioned that the ICE has very high standards that have to be met before accredition can be given.

Talking of accredition in India, Dr. N. Singh, Regional Officer of the All India Council for Technical Education, Bangalore, said that the NBA has been accrediting many universities and colleges in India. And the NBA is recognised internationally. He further enlisted the prerequisites necessary to get the NBA accredition.

New age business ethics will carry humankind beyond the Industrial Age and towards mental and spiritual enrichment. The focus is now on human consciousness. During this transition, institutions such as the AICTE and ICE can play an important role in shaping the minds and careers of young Indian engineers.

NIMI KURIEN

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