Why is there a declining demand for core engineering study?

Mechanical engineering branch is acclaimed as the evergreen branch of engineering but these days it doesn’t have many takers

Dr G B Krishnappa

The core branches of engineering namely civil, mechanical and electrical engineering once dominated the industry and ruled the world in terms of technology. Even today these branches of engineering are pillars or trunks for remaining branches of engineering. Out of these three, mechanical engineering is called the evergreen branch of engineering study. Though the mechanical engineering branch is acclaimed as the evergreen branch of engineering, these days there is not much affinity towards it. This is because, most of the parents wish their wards to be software engineers.

Without knowing the importance of core engineering, people simply neglect the same. Take for example the importance of mechanical engineering, you cannot name a field where there is no direct or indirect contribution of a mechanical engineer. A mechanical engineer deals with machines and production of goods. Any product you see or use is produced by machines these days. Technical advances also change the way humans produce things. The step into production technology, which was completely different from the past, is also called industrial revolution.

The first industrial revolution began in the 18th century called Industry 1.0. Since industry 1.0, mechanical engineers have played a prominent role in the production of products using machineries. A mechanical engineer’s involvement is obvious in all production activities. Since the advent of computers and the internet, the world scenario of production technology has changed drastically. Now we are into Industry 4.0, where production is through the Internet of Things (IoT). In addition to production of goods, service-oriented industry is also growing at a faster pace. We know that engineering is to provide something new to the society, a product or service. Whether it is a product or service, a mechanical engineer’s involvement cannot be deserted. Whether it is a serviceoriented company or product producing industry, the service of a mechanical engineer is directly or indirectly involved in it. If you talk about smart service, you use software in conjunction with hardware.

Without any hardware, you cannot use software. All hardwares is manufactured by using machines. A mechanical engineer finds a job there. The today’s Industry 4.0 is an IoT enabled manufacturing system that invariably demands digital twin technology, digital manufacturing and computer aided design, which are the comparatively new fields where core mechanical engineers with strong computer science work. Hence it is necessary for mechanical engineers to upgrade their knowledge according to the demand. They must develop coding skills. In addition to domain knowledge, if they acquire coding skills, mechanical engineers are very much suitable for work in any field of engineering. Their service is also apt in the IT industry. Of course, mechanical engineers are acclaimed as best coders as well. Hence mechanical engineering is the evergreen engineering branch. People in general say that there are no vacancies for engineering graduates these days.

Being a professor of mechanical engineering, for the last few years I have seen many students these days lose their interest in studies thinking that they won’t get a job. Hence, they will not study well and underperform in the examinations. Companies will not hire such graduates.

(Dr G B Krishnappa is the Dean {research and development}+ and professor of Mechanical Engineering, Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering.)