Deans message
Professor Tam Sridhar
Welcome to the first issue of Reconnect - the Faculty of Engineering Alumni Newsletter. We had a remarkable year in 2008 and were able to take part in the celebrations for the 50th Anniversary of Monash University. So what of the next 50 years? Most of you are well aware of the significant shift in engineering careers. The twin effects of globalisation and skills shortage will test the mettle of our engineering leadership. This era will also present unique global and national problems.
Engineering will continue to be driven by societal concerns about global warming and climate change. Engineers will be at the forefront in developing solutions for greenhouse gases and development of a national water strategy. We will need to make choices between various energy sources, including renewable, biomass and photovoltaics. Are we capable of assisting our community to make the right choices, based on scientific analysis rather than political persuasion?
On a brighter note, these challenges will attract some of the brightest minds of the next generation to Engineering. We need to be ready to assist their learning and recognise that learning styles have changed.
The importance of the role of the alumni to universities is being debated and discussed around all universities. One way of thinking about this is as an alliance. Alumni can assist universities in several ways. The skills that our alumni have acquired in their careers can vastly improve our educational offerings. Alumni can assist the universities in fund and friend raising. The interactions are dictated by your own circumstances, but each of you have the capacity to make a significant contribution to your alma mater. I hope you will seize the initiative to do so, so that together we can ensure that the next 50 years of the Faculty are as glorious as the first 50 years.