Before formal academic education was established for engineering, an engineer was someone who used practical knowledge and experience to build the necessities of life. History has witnessed many engineering masterpieces that were built long before academic institutions existed. The formal organization of engineering education was necessary for the growth and advancement of societies and has significantly contributed to the development of the field. However, this has not changed the fundamental fact that engineering is the practical application of science through experience and expertise.
Engineering is the skill of applying scientific knowledge. Like any profession, engineering skills are developed through fieldwork, practice, and continuous application. When these skills are not practiced or applied, they gradually weaken and may eventually be lost. Confusing engineering practice with pure academic education is a challenge not only in developing countries but also in developed ones.
The history of engineering practice in Kurdistan is relatively recent. If we look at the generation of engineers before the uprising, we find that although the number of Kurdish engineers was small and their circumstances difficult, universities at that time were academically strong. However, job opportunities and chances to apply engineering skills were very limited. After the uprising, universities began to suffer from a shortage of qualified academic staff in scientific fields. As a result, engineering colleges expanded rapidly, and many engineering courses were taught by instructors with strong scientific backgrounds but limited engineering practice experience. This gradually shifted engineering education from an applied profession into a largely theoretical discipline, for example, the entrance to the new campus of the University of Sulaimani, including the area in front of the College of Engineering, lacking several basic principles of road engineering design. Similarly, the new campus of Raparin University includes curbstones approximately 25 cm high and lighting poles spaced about 15 meters apart along a route that requires only a short walking distance. (These values are approximate and are mentioned only to illustrate poor design decisions). These examples, along with many others, demonstrate the absence of proper engineering practice. These projects do not require advanced theoretical knowledge as much as they require competence in applying basic engineering principles correctly.
Engineering is a highly sensitive profession that plays a vital role in nation-building, protecting lives and property, and improving public welfare. For this reason, the education and training of skilled, practice-oriented engineers must be a top priority. This responsibility must be shared by all stakeholders, with universities and engineers themselves at the forefront of this effort.
