Decolonising Engineering - Open Lecture

Present by Prof. Mike Muller

14 March 2018 | 17h30 for 18h00
Donald Gordon Auditorium, School of Governance, Wits Parktown Management Campus, 2 St David's Place, Parktown, Johannesburg

Over the next decade, Gauteng could experience a water crisis far worse than that currently afflicting Cape Town. Nelson Mandela Bay is already in the grip of supply restrictions and Ethekwini is also at risk. In all cases, there are ways to avoid allowing risks to turn into crises. But, too often, sound technical advice is ignored. Why is that? We need to ask: What does society want from engineers and the engineering and related technical professions? Do we want skilled professionals who will give sound advice and ensure effective delivery of excellent projects? Leaders who will transform their organisations and society? Can we have the whole package? Or do we first need to decolonise the professions and what would that mean? This lecture will provide some perspectives, through the lens of water, on the challenges that engineers and all technical professions face in a 21st century non-racist, non-sexist, democratic South Africa.

This lecture is open to the public, and will be followed by light refreshments (courtesy of the South African Academy of Engineering - SAAE)

Please RSVP for catering purposes to Ms Heleen Duffey by 12 March 2018: office@saae.co.za.

Please see the map below for the location of the Donald Gordon Auditorium: