Digging deep: Growing engineering professionals from the ground up…

From climate change to artificial intelligence, clean energy to social equity, engineers and engineering technologists are at the heart of the world’s most pressing challenges. Nonetheless, to meet these challenges, the way we educate engineers and engineering technologists must evolve. It is no longer enough to train technical experts. We need to grow ethical, adaptable, and globally conscious professionals who can lead the way towards a sustainable and inclusive future.

One intuitive way to rethink engineering education is through a metaphor found in nature: The soil profile. Like the layers of functional and fertile earth that support the growth of healthy ecosystems, a well-structured education system must nourish engineers and engineering technologists from the ground up, layer by layer. No one layer outdoes the others.

Bedrock: The foundation of knowledge

At the base of the soil profile is the bedrock, i.e. the deep, solid foundation of technical expertise. This is where students learn the core principles of engineering, including mathematics, physics, materials science, and digital technologies.

A strong bedrock ensures that future engineers and engineering technologists can think critically, solve complex problems and innovate solutions responsibly. Nonetheless, in today’s rapidly evolving world, this foundation must also include fluency in emerging technologies such as AI, automation and nature-centric, sustainable design.

Without this deep technical grounding, everything else in the educational structure could risk collapse.

Subsoil: Turning knowledge into practice

Just above the bedrock lies the subsoil, the layer where theory is transformed into action. This is where students learn how to apply their knowledge by solving real-world problems, managing projects and working in diverse teams.

This layer reflects a shift in modern education toward Flexible Learning Pathways (FLP) with adaptable, personalised and experience-driven approaches to learning. Engineering students today are encouraged to engage in hands-on projects, internships, global exchanges, and lifelong learning opportunities. The goal is to prepare them not just for their first job, but for a future in which careers inevitably evolve as industries transform at lightning speed.

They are prodded to explore the profound impact of their technical expertise and solutions: Would this design be relevant in 10 years’ time? Does it unknowingly compromise the environment? How will it exhaust the natural resources for future use?

The subsoil cultivation essentially equips learners with the practical tools and mindsets they will need to build resilient infrastructure, develop sustainable technologies and respond effectively to both local and global needs for the long haul.

Topsoil: Cultivating values and responsibility

At the surface sits the topsoil, the most visible and human-facing layer. Just as topsoil supports visible growth in nature, this layer supports the development of engineers and engineering technologists’ values, ethics, and social responsibility.

This is where Values-Based Education (VBE) becomes essential. It encourages engineering students to think beyond efficiency and profit, considering the broader impact of their decisions on people, communities, and the planet. By integrating values like integrity, empathy, and social responsibility, VBE helps students develop a more ethical and human-centered approach to problem-solving in their professional practice.

They learn to ask deeper questions beyond the engineering realm: Is this design inclusive? Does it respect cultural differences? How will it affect future generations?

The topsoil also aligns with the Sustainable Development Agenda (SDA), particularly the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Whether addressing clean energy, water access, climate action or equity, this layer teaches engineers and engineering technologists to honour their roles as global citizens, with a responsibility to use their skills for the common good.

All layers working together

What makes this model especially powerful is its emphasis on integration. Each layer in the soil profile supports and strengthens the others.

Ethical values guide how engineers and engineering technologists apply their knowledge and skills. Practical experience reinforces theoretical understanding, while technical knowledge gives structure and depth to ethical action.

When one layer is weak, the entire system is at risk. A brilliant engineering expert without ethical grounding can do harm, an idealist without practical skills may struggle to implement solutions, similarly a technically trained graduate with no sense of purpose may miss the bigger picture entirely.

The world is flat, more than ever

Engineering has since evolved into a global multidisciplinary profession, and education must reflect that reality. By embedding sustainability, ethics, and adaptability into every layer of learning, we can prepare engineers and engineering technologists who are ready to lead, not just in their home countries, but anywhere in the world.

This also supports the creation of a more level playing field, where the engineering specialists from all backgrounds have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to shared global goals. Whether working on infrastructure in rural communities, clean energy in developing nations, or smart cities in urban hubs, engineers and engineering technologists must be equipped to work across cultures, sectors, and borders.

Growing engineers and engineering technologists for a better tomorrow

As the challenges of the 21st century continue to evolve, engineering education must dig deeper, cultivating not only what students know, but also what they do, and most importantly, who they become.

The Soil Profile Model reminds us that real growth comes from below the surface. By nurturing technical excellence (cognitive knowhow), practical capability (psychomotor ability), and human values (affective competence) in equal measure, we can grow a new generation of engineers and engineering technologists who are not only future-ready, but future-responsible too. These are the technical experts who will help shape a more sustainable, equitable and resilient world for all.