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Let engineers focus on engineering

People walk through ST Engineering's booth at the Singapore Airshow. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

I am glad editor at large Han Fook Kwang has raised the issue of engineering knowledge being gradually lost ("Shrinking pool of engineers poses national risk"; July 12). Part of the problem lies with how engineers are being used in the public sector in Singapore.

What is common is that engineers want to use their fundamental grounding in problem resolution to do engineering work, but are unable to do so. Instead, their time is spent more on administrative work dictated by various departments. Changes are needed from top management if a solution is seriously desired.

For a start, there is a need to look into the percentage of time an engineer spends on non-core functions. They should be supported in putting their expertise to use, and developing it further.

Jairaj Ramanathan

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on July 26, 2015, with the headline Let engineers focus on engineering. Subscribe