New Zealand Engineering 1997 May

Letters To The Editor

Professional Engineer (PE)

I read with interest Glyn Struthers' letter in New Zealand Engineering, March 1997 concerning the problem of identifying ourselves. Although agreeing with most of the sentiments expressed, I do not feel any enthusiasm for adopting the title "ingenieur" which seems decidedly foreign to me and is a word which I'm not even sure how to pronounce.

Undoubtedly MIPENZ is not a label with any impact. Why not instead stick with the title "Professional Engineer" and adopt the practice common in many countries, including the USA, of distinguishing ourselves with the letters PE. It seems to me that quite quickly PE could become as well understood by the public as, for example, GP is today. As part of this process, the title Registered Engineer which is commonly known should be changed to Registered Professional Engineer.

Brian Duncan Auckland

Food Engineer

I refer to the article titled: `Food Engineer: New Kid on the Block?' by Trinh Khanh Tuoc in your March 1997 issue, in which the author touched on: (1) Cavitation during pumping of milk, and (2) Relation of milk concentration with Reynolds number. My input to these two points is as follows:

(1)Cavitation:

Fluid mechanics explains cavitation by examining some point in the liquid flow, when the existing fluid (be it water, milk, … or otherwise) pressure equals the vapour pressure at the particular temperature, then the liquid will vaporise. If the fluid pressure fluctuates slightly above and below the vapour pressure, there will be an alternative formation and collapse of the vapour bubbles. Evidence shows that this alternate collapse and formation of bubbles is responsible for the marked drop in efficiency in pumps and pitting of the metal parts on the impeller.

Such explanation, in my opinion, is logical when related to the author's observations of damaged fat globules in milk.

(2)Reynolds number (Re):

It is correct to state that the nature of any particular flow of a real fluid may be judged to some extent from the corresponding Reynolds number (Re). A small Re indicates that viscous forces predominate, whereas a large value of Re indicates that inertia forces predominate. Milk concentration being a function of Re, indicates without doubt its direct proportionality to viscosity.

Dr M A Zaher Auckland

New IPENZ identity

In response to the Auckland Branch call for reaction to the new IPENZ logo and the article which appeared in the March issue of NZE by Peter Haythornthwaite, surely the this is an April fool's joke gone wrong? It is HORRIBLE.

The spiral is an "e" is it? Will 10 percent of non-engineers pick that one up? As for the string of other supposed attributes - what rubbish!

Why does a "square" panel denote consistency and security? "Square" also means stolid and unimaginative!

"Precision and accuracy" for the register mark? A pity it looks as if someone has sliced a third of it off with the scissors. Well wide of the mark here.

But the best part of the joke are the letters - "orderliness" indeed! A jumble of upper and lower case unworthy of a kindergarten I think.

The lack of consultation with members before approval of such an important element of our public image is no credit to the administration of our organisation. I will not be using the mark.

Bruce Gamble Auckland

A new prenominal - Engr.

Glyn Struthers (NZE, Mar 97) questions my comment "… within the profession the title Engineer is largely ignored…" and goes on to suggest it is time to stop flogging a dead horse, and puts a case for adopting the title `Ingenieur'.

Some little while ago, a determined and costly attempt was made to get such a title adopted within the Institution of Engineers Australia. The move was soundly rejected by the membership.

The battle for the title Engineer is not lost, it is suffering by default. Take as an example, our Journal; few if any authors are identified as Engineers, or even as members of this Institution. If we cannot identify our own, how can we expect anyone else to do so?

It is unfortunate that the title Engineer is adopted by many non-professionals, it is a fact of life and a challenge. Until recently folk now known as Technical Engineers were on the outer or beyond the pale, a broadened membership base has brought about better understanding and vice versa.

The best move to come to light so far is contained in a paper given at the recent Annual Conference. Messrs Gibson and Smith's paper "Public awareness of Professional Engineers and Technologists" puts a case for this Institution to adopt as a pre-nominal the abbreviation `Engr'. It is reported that "No less a person that the President of FIDIC (International Federation of Consulting Engineers) considers we should simply take hold of the title Engineer, abbreviate it and put it in front of our names…" The authors do this; Engr. J.A (Tony) Gibson FIPENZ, and Engr. Peter.C.Smith FIPENZ.

I suggest the paper be reprinted in the Journal or at least a reprint be enclosed with the next mailing to all members. An enthusiastic adoption of this device could work wonders, enthusiasm at the top will spread to the benefit of the Engineering Profession.

Engr. R. Atkins Wanganui

Ethics and professionalism today

Recently I have been in the sad position of feeling obliged to communicate with IPENZ in respect of the behaviour of an IPENZ member. This position was reached having exhausted all other possibilities such as seeking to obtain clarification on a member to member basis or even seeking some form of informal mediation - none of which would be entertained by the other party.

Having exhausted all other possibilities I reluctantly sought direction under the provisions of IPENZ "Guidelines for Code of Ethics" which provides that ".... members should discuss any ethical problem that troubles them with senior members of the Institution.". Following a relatively protracted process in which the party complained of was copied at all times, this resulted in a formal complaint being lodged.

My belief in the intent of the IPENZ Code of Ethics is summarised in the guidelines August 1996, issued November 1996, which state that: "...... The respect with which society accords the engineering and technology professions is earned and maintained by its members demonstrating a strong and consistent commitment to ethical values....."

The guidelines then define the nature of ethics as: "..... These commitments are additional to the obligations which every member of society is required to observe, such as obeying the law, and reflect the additional responsibility expected of all professionals."

These principles are further defined in guidelines as: "The Code is a set of principles to guide members in achieving the high ideals of professional life".

I am the first to concede that many of these issues can be fraught, and can take some resources to resolve. The Regulations 16 and 17 actually provide for IPENZ to recover any costs of implementing the Code of Ethics. Notwithstanding, in this case I went further and placed on record my commitment to indemnify IPENZ in order that this particular case could be reviewed only on its ethical merits, rather than expediency.

I was most staggered and disappointed to receive correspondence from IPENZ on this matter, stating that "........if after due legal process, one of our members is found guilty of breaking the law, then our Ethics Committee will have better grounds and better information for a review........."

To me this sentiment seems in conflict with the stated principles of the IPENZ guidelines as noted above, especially .... These commitments are additional to the obligations which every member of society is required to observe, such as obeying the law, and reflect the additional responsibility expected of all professionals."

It would appear to me that our ethical standard has now become one of "legal minimums" rather than" higher moral principles". Consequently I question the appropriateness of "Professional" in our Institution's name and indeed membership to the Institution. I for one, have paid my membership dues for many years, believing I was supporting a professional society, which in turn provided the assurance to public and members alike, that members ascribed to and complied with, the highest professional standards and ideals.

The guidelines do however make the point that the test of ethics is what the "reasonable professional" would do when faced with a situation. I would certainly welcome the opinions of both IPENZ and the membership as to whether the "legal minimum" is, as a matter of expediency, a suitable yardstick of professional ethics.

Christopher M Nixon Auckland

Correction

The article A Thirst for Simplicity - Macro Process Simuation in April issue of NZE was incorrectly ascribed to Simon Bunn. The author was in fact Dr. Thomas Hyde, of Beca Simons Ltd. We apologise for this mistake.

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Letters,

New Zealand Engineering

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PO Box 12-241, Wellington or emailed to Peter@ipenz.org.nz

Letters should be wise, witty and brief. The editor reserves the right to seek replies, edit and not publish letters.