Engineering future leaders

Report: Neha Kale
Photography: Melissa Di Ciero

Eight stalwarts of the Australian engineering industry have made a powerful contribution towards shaping the sector's future leaders through their support of Monash University's Leadership in a Technical Environment Program.

Coffey International, the John Holland Group, Sinclair Knight Mertz (SKM), WorleyParsons, Thiess, and GHD along with wind power firm Suzlon and trade and investment agency AUStrade have played a key role in the highly successful program, facilitated by the University's Faculty of Engineering.

These companies are awarding industry scholarships to gifted students, enhancing the program's impact by helping them forge pathways to careers in engineering, as well as trade and investment development.

Their generous support includes financial contribution towards student expenses, a paid internship, and the chance to acquire valuable networks and first-hand experience through a mentorship with an industry professional.

The Leadership in a Technological Environment Program commenced in 2007 to prepare promising students for an industry where engineers are expected to lead projects and drive innovation as well as employ technical acumen.

Offered to high-achieving first and second-year students, the program commences with a three-day residential induction workshop. This is followed by nine topic modules over three years, and regular seminars and activities with industry and research leaders to nurture the student's leadership, critical thinking and communication skills.

Students who participate in the program are also given the opportunity to talk with engineers about their careers, 'shadow' them in their workplace, and spend a week working with an engineering organisation — all of which enables them to gain important insight into real-world conundrums that may not arise in the classroom.

In 2010 the program has helped nearly 160 Monash engineering students realise their future potential. This year's program began with a residential induction workshop at The Country Place, Kalorama where new recruits became acquainted with their leadership strengths over three dynamic days.

Monash alumni and volunteers served as guest speakers during the induction and gave talks on their professional challenges and experiences. Students were then formally presented with scholarships from industry at a special function held in June.

Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Professor Tam Sridhar acknowledged the influence the companies had in fostering leadership skills in future engineers.

"These scholarships are a fantastic new dimension toour leadership program. With the generous support and commitment of our industry partners, we are now uniquely placed to equip our brightest engineering students with the skills and knowledge needed to successfully lead industries and communities," Professor Sridhar said.

Roger Olds, Managing Director of engineering giant Coffey International, praised the leadership program for its combination of "theoretical and practical learning."

"The skills the leadership students are developing in this course will serve them in any career path they choose as leadership is practised everywhere. It is terrific that they can learn this at the start of their career," he said.

Andrew Sharpe, a Senior Ecologist at Sinclair Knight Mertz, agreed that graduates need to hone leadership abilities to thrive in the sector.

"It is not enough just to have good ideas. In order to be successful you need to have well-developed leadership skills to make your ideas come to life. Your leadership skills will enable you to take people on the journey with you," Dr Sharpe said.

"Change is the only constant. As a society there are many questions that need to be answered — our engineering graduates are the driving force behind that change."

Faculty of Engineering Associate Dean (Teaching) Gary Codner said the program had received wide industry acclaim as well as an award from the University's Vice- Chancellor for its role in developing responsible, versatile graduates with an eagerness to engage with the world around them.

"We're providing our students with the skills and industry contacts and an understanding of what's required to be successful in their chosen field," Professor Codner said.

"I would like to thank our generous supporters and all the volunteers who have been part of the leadership program; they have been instrumental in it being such a success for Monash."

Your role in shaping our future engineering leaders
You can help give outstanding engineering students additional leadership, communication and industry skills that will help their future careers. Visit www.monash.edu/giving/eng