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What is a Globally-minded Engineer?

Takami Seiya (Kagoshima National College of Technology)

“To develop engineers who are able to deal responsibly with global concerns.” This is one of the educational goals of my college. On my first day, my homeroom teacher said to us, “Remember these four main educational goals.” Though I was not interested in it, I memorized them to satisfy him. But it gave me a chance to think of what a globally-minded engineer was. I will call it “GME” in my speech from now on.

I grew up under my father’s influence, who is a semiconductor engineer, so I decided to become an engineer just like him. Then I entered Kosen and started thinking about becoming a GME when I graduate. Since then I learned a lot from many books, English teachers, and technical teachers. My ideal “GME” has finally taken shape and I am trying to become that GME.

What is a “GME”,globally-minded engineer? There are 6 points. First, English ability, second, communication technique, third, expert knowledge, fourth, physical and mental strength, fifth, hobby or specialty, and last liberal view.

Let me explain them one by one. First, English ability is indispensable for engineers. We should have a basic command of English which includes listening, speaking, reading and writing. The most important thing is to master practical English to use in the international field. I study English not only in the classroom but through the use of Facebook, watching English news on TV and listening to English music.

Second, communication technique is also essential. Successful communication between two cultures requires not only a good knowledge of other languages and customs, but also of thought patterns, values or goals. I positively took part in the College Exchange Program and went to Australia and Canada, so I was able to improve my communication skills with people in foreign countries.

Third, expert knowledge is also vital as an engineer. Because engineering is a global profession, it is necessary for GMEs to be able to understand and express expert knowledge in English as well as Japanese.

Fourth, physical and mental strength are important for us to work in other countries. It is difficult for us to be accustomed to a different life style quickly. According to my father who went to America on a business trip, he was troubled with the jet lag for the first time and it affected his job performance there. I’ve been training physically and mentally by attending club activities, brass band club, doing muscle training and studying my major.

Fifth, our hobby or specialty is also important. It can help us to clear cultural hurdles and make friends with people in other countries. I can play the saxophone and music can bridge the gap between people of different cultures.

And finally we need a liberal view. We should not judge others only by our own sense of values, however, we don’t have to obey their sense of values completely. The most important thing is to have the liberal view to respect others and respect ourselves.

Dear students, what do you think of my idea? Most of you will become engineers in the future. So if you have different ideas, please tell me and advise me.

My future dream is to become an environmental engineer. In this century sea and water pollution are serious problems all over the world. This is a big issue on a world scale. Solving this problem will require input from many countries, so I would like to cooperate with foreign engineers.

Finally everyone, I’ve been working very hard to become my ideal GME, that is a globally-minded engineer every day. How about you? What kind of engineer do you want to be in the future?