June 2006   

2006 ASCE Annual Conference Features International Program

All ASCE members are invited to attend the Society’s 2006 Annual Conference in Chicago, Illinois, and to take part in the pre-conference international program. This year’s conference—with the theme Surviving the Future—will be held at the Westin Chicago River North Hotel on October 20-21.  The International Activities will start on Wednesday, October 18. The conference will feature dynamic international programs focusing on sustainability, including the International Luncheon, International Roundtable, Symposium on Sustainability, Sustainability Luncheon, and International Dinner. The International Roundtable topic will be “Investing in Sustainable Infrastructure Worldwide”, with the paper being presented by Ms. Kathy Sierra, Vice President of Infrastructure at the World Bank.  More information regarding these events will be sent out in a few weeks. In addition, from October 16-18, ASCE will host several committee and council meetings of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO). Click on International program for more information.

Press Briefs

Article summaries on engineering in the global environment

(Note: To help us provide this service, we welcome your suggestions of articles that you see online. While we will need to focus on articles in English, we could, as time permits, accept articles in the following additional languages: Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, and Afrikaans. Thank you in advance for sharing information with your fellow ASCE members! Please forward Web article links to Julia Kang (jkang@asce.org). We would like to thank the members of the International Activities Commitee, particularly Russel Jones and David Leverenz, for their assistance.

Some links to the original articles remain valid only on a temporary basis, so we cannot guarantee that links will still be valid after delivery of this newsletter.

“Businesses Push For High-Skilled Foreign Workers,” by June Kronholz, The Wall Street Journal, April 6, 2006 -- U.S. businesses would like keep foreign-born graduates of U.S. engineering schools for employment within the country, but current U.S. laws and regulations can make that difficult, reports The Wall Street Journal. Each year only 65,000 three-year visas are available to skilled workers such as engineers, scientists, and mathematicians, among others.  Demand was so strong in the fiscal year beginning in October 2005 that employers used them all up by the previous August. The government also provides 140,000 employment-based green cards that are distributed equally among all countries that send workers. According to the article, that means that an employer has to wait at least five years before the immigration service even reads the application for a Chinese or Indian candidate. U.S. businesses also worry about the difficulty of keeping foreign-born university graduates in the country. The pool is fairly large. Stanford University, for example, awarded 88 electrical engineering Ph.Ds last year, and 49 of those went to foreign-born students, the article reports. Two years ago Congress passed an exemption for 20,000 advanced-degree holders who were already studying in the U.S., allowing U.S. employers to hire them. The high demand meant that by  January 9—for the fiscal year beginning in October—all slots were filled. An immigration bill considered by a Senate committee in April would provide a path to citizenship for those who complete U.S. advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering and math and who stay in the U.S. after finishing that degree, reports the article.

“World Bank Chief Outlines a War on Fraud,” by Celia W. Dugger, The New York Times, April 12, 2006 -- World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz has announced a comprehensive strategy to fight the extensive corruption and fraud that are often part of antipoverty projects supported by the World Bank, The New York Times reports.  The goal is to help developing countries eliminate the loss through corruption of badly needed funds in projects that receive billions of dollars from the World Bank. Because of alleged corruption, Wolfowitz has delayed, suspended or canceled hundreds of millions of dollars in loans to India, Bangladesh, Kenya, Chad and Argentina. Under his plan, Wolfowitz will enlarge the staff of the bank’s department of institutional integrity from 53 to 65 employees. Of the backlog of 387 suspected corruption cases, more than 140 have been closed, but staff have been encouraged to report new corruption cases, so many additional ones have been opened. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/12/world/12wolfowitz.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&th&emc=th

“Soft Skill Check for Engineers (Softskill-Check für Ingenieure),” VDI Nachrichten, February 17, 2006—Like in the US, engineers in Germany are focusing on providing engineers more exposure to soft skills to round out a technical background. The publication of the Association of German Engineers (Verein Deutscher Ingenieure—VDI), an ASCE Agreement of Cooperation society, reports that in seeking their dream job, engineers can fall short in the personal impression they make, either through words or gestures. Technical know-how is not enough when it comes to managing people and budgets, notes VDI Nachrichten. Engineers sometimes lack the courage to clearly promote their accomplishments, the article says, a characteristic that can also show itself when engineers are making presentations about their own firms. In the past, having enough time for preparation could sometimes overcome this tendency, but in today’s fast-paced, electronic world, presentations often have very short lead times. Themes thus have to be prepared quickly and presented convincingly, and that only works when presenters can clearly evaluate what effect their presentation will have on the audience. To help engineers gain insights into this “meta-skill,” the VDI has launched an online Soft Skills Check ( www.ingenieurkarriere.de/softskill ), which asks engineers to provide their reactions to a number of statements in a variety of categories. The answers are then analyzed and compared to a database of other engineers, giving the user a profile that helps point out deficiencies that need to be addressed.

“Female Enrollment Falls at Canadian Engineering Schools”, CBC News (online), March 16, 2006 -- According to a study by the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers, as reported by CBC News (online), there was a 20% drop of women enrolling in Canadian engineering schools between 1999 and 2004. First-year enrollments represented the largest decline. In the decade before 2000, enrollment numbers for women had increased in record numbers after engineering schools across Canada actively recruited female students, the article says. http://www.cbc.ca/story/science/national/2006/03/16/engineers-female060316.html

 “Employers Have Difficulty Finding Engineer Workers,” PE, April 2006—According to a recent survey, 40% of employers worldwide face difficulty in filling engineering positions with talented employees, reports PE magazine. The survey from Manpower Inc. found that throughout the world the top three jobs with talent shortages were sales representative, engineer, and technician, in that order. Information technology workers came in at the sixth position among the 10 jobs ranked. According to the article, the shortages among all the jobs are most severe in North America, with Europe and Asia feeling less pressure, and India having the least problems. A Manpower Inc. white paper predicts that in 10 years many businesses will fail because they have not planned for the talent shortage. The white paper also notes that this is not a cyclical trend but a reality that will last for decades, according to the article.

“Aging Workforce Poses Nuclear Power Challenge,” by Hyan Young Lee, The Wall Street Journal, April 12, 1006 -- An approaching lack of know-how for designing, running and regulating new nuclear power plants may hurt worldwide efforts to increase reliance on nuclear power, reports the The Wall Street Journal. About 15 new reactors are expected to be built during the next decade, but estimates from a US industry group indicate that half of the nuclear industry employees are more than 47 years old. That means as many as 23,000 are expected to retire or depart during the next 5 years. Chinese university officials estimate that some 8000 additional nuclear-skilled workers will be require by 2020 in that country, given that as many as 30 new nuclear reactors are planned. The story is similar in other countries, with the United Kingdom facing the retirement of half its nuclear workforce in the next ten years, the article says. In response to this situation, more students and job applicants are considering a career in the nuclear industry, hoping for healthy paychecks. Still, industry observers say a lack of skills and experience could add complexity and cost to nuclear projects, the article reports.

http://www.careerjournal.com/salaryhiring/industries/energy/20060412-lee.html

“Improving Road Safety in Developing Countries: Opportunities for U.S. Cooperation and Engagement, Workshop Summary – Special Report” by the Planning Committee for the Workshop on Traffic Safety in Developing Nations, National Research Council, 2006 -- According to a new report from the National Academies, the rapid expansion of motor vehicle use in developing nations is greatly increasing the number of  traffic-related deaths and injuries on the world’s roads. In low- and middle-income nations, more than 1 million people died in traffic crashes in 2000, and that number could nearly double by 2020, says the World Health Organization (WHO). Children face particular dangers. WHO estimates that in 2002, road traffic injuries were the second-leading cause of death globally among those aged 5 to 29, and 96 percent of those killed lived in low- and middle-income countries. For every road death there are about 20 serious injuries, according to estimates. Beyond the human suffering, traffic injuries slow the growth and development of low- and middle-income countries by draining at least $65 billion annually, or 1 percent of their gross domestic product.

http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11647.html

ASCE International Partners

UPADI - Plan to Attend the Pan American Convention of Engineers

ASCE, the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), who represent the United States in the Pan American Union of Engineering Organizations (UPADI), have joined together with the Georgia Institute of Technology to present XXX Pan American Convention of Engineers, UPADI 2006 (September 19–22). The convention is still welcoming proposals from speakers on various topics, including economic development, global ethics, education, free trade and sustainability. If youare interested in being a presenter, please contact Mike Sanio at msanio@asce.org Additional information can be found at http://www.upadi2006.com

XXX UPADI 2006 is featuring a paper contest for undergraduate students. Papers must focus on an engineering design problem or topic similar to that in a senior capstone design class. Up to 25 papers will be selected for a 15-minute oral presentation and a poster presentation. Papers will be selected by a panel of professionals from UPADI and Georgia Tech. For complete information on the contest, please go to http://www.upadi2006.com/english/competition.shtm

Top Inter-American Development Bank Executive To Address UPADI 2006

Ciro de Falco, Inter-American Development Bank executive vice president, will
discuss investing in Latin American and Caribbean infrastructure projects at UPADI 2006, the Pan American Convention of Engineers, on Sept. 19-22 in Atlanta. The four-day conference, hosted by Georgia Institute of Technology, addresses “Building a Sustainable Infrastructure: Education, Technology, Innovation, and Economic Development.” See www.upadi2006.com

WFEO - Empowering Women in Science, Engineering and Technology

Under the leadership of World Federation of Engineering Organizations, President Kamel Ayadi from Tunisia, WFEO is planning to foster a dialogue to increase the participation of women in the science, engineering and technology workforce, especially in North Africa and the Middle East. This initiative would support UN Millennium Development Goal 3 to promote gender equality and empower women and is consistent with United States foreign policy goals for reducing barriers to women’s participation in society and strengthening regional networks. US Undersecretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky has said, “A priority of US policy is to foster the participation of women in all forms of public life—be it the political world or the work force.”

The program objectives are to promote gender equality; increase professional skills and networking; empower women in decision-making to enable them to overcome inequity and poverty in their communities; assist women in tearing down obstacles to their participation and advancement in scientific, engineering and technological careers; and to aid them in achieving greater international collaboration.

Tunisia, the proposed host for this project, has a history of encouraging woman to become actively involved in society. In Tunisia, women account for 48 percent of university students, 12 percent of senior business executives, 21 percent of civil service employees, 23 percent of magistrates, 35 percent of doctors, and 63 percent of pharmacists. The important role women play in all aspects of life in this country, where 98 percent of the population is Muslim, comes as a surprise for most first-time visitors. This involvement of women in Tunisia was recognized during the latest Women World Forum at the United Nations in New York.

The proposed project would be comprised of four parts: an international Congress on Women in Science, Engineering and Technology; a professional training program for women working in these fields from North Africa and the Middle East; and a comprehensive study of the status of women in these fields to serve as the reference. Follow-up on the results of the study and the congress would be the fourth component of the project.

Program organizers cite the need for progress in North Africa and the Middle East. According to the World Bank, the significant reduction of gender gaps in education and in lower fertility rates has not carried through into the labor market, unlike in other regions of the world. In fact, women’s participation in the North African and the Middle Eastern labor force (despite an increase of 50% over the last decades) remains much lower than would be expected given the levels of female education, fertility, and per capita income, according to program organizers

“Safety, Security and Sustainability: Can engineers rise to the global challenge?” Speakers from the UK, USA, Canada and Japan will be present at a July 3-4, 2006 conference hosted by the Institution of Civil Engineers, UK. The conference will contribute to the debate about sustainability worldwide by gathering input from representatives of ASCE, ICE and the Canadian Society of Civil Engineers to develop a protocol for a sustainable future for the planet. The forums will be part of week-long festivities celebrating the bicentenary of the birth of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. More information can be found on the brochure.

Working for Asian Sustainability in 2007

ASCE is one of the three founding organizations of the Asian Civil Engineering Coordinating Council (ACECC), together with the Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE) and the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE), and ACECC has now grown to eight organizations representing eight different countries, including Australia.  The purpose of ACECC is to organize forums where worldwide members of the civil engineering profession may jointly develop programs of coordination and mutual action in designated matters affecting the interests of civil engineers and related professionals.  The Civil Engineering Conference in the Asian Region (CECAR) is held every three years. This year’s CECAR will be held in Taipei, Taiwan in June 2007. Take a look at the first announcement for details.

Water Faces a Crisis of Governance, says Second UN World Water Development Report

Eighty percent of the globe’s surface consists of water, however a variety of factors contribute to the fact that one-fifth of the world’s population lacks safe drinking water and basic sanitation. The 4th World Water Forum in Mexico City held this past March presented this concern to the media. To find out highlights in the report, please go to

http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=32057&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

Science and Technology Cooperative Program in Pakistan

The American Society of Civil Engineers has worked closely with the U.S. National Academies to support capacity building in response to the recent South Asian earthquake. There are two new opportunities to participate in practical collaborative research and development partnerships between the U.S. and Pakistan. Projects are to be developed by partnerships that should include at least one Pakistani partner and one U.S. partner. Project funding is generally expected to be in the range of $100,000 to $200,000 per year (combined total for the Pakistani and U.S. partner institutions) for up to three years. For more information, see Pakistan-U.S. Science and Technology Cooperative Program.

http://www7.nationalacademies.org/dsc/PAKUS.html 

You may also wish to contact Kelly Robbins, Senior Program Officer, The National Academies (krobbins@nas.edu or 202-334-3656).

Around the World

From the ASCE International Groups and Sections

The ASCE India Section, in association with the Institution of Civil Engineers, UK Eastern India Chapter, organized a session on “Simgro: an Overview on Water Resources” this past April. For a summary, please email asce@vsnl.net.

Establish an ASCE International Group—International Groups are formed to provide civil engineers in other countries with opportunities to organize activities related to the profession. The main purposes of a Group are to promote technical and professional development of ASCEmembers residing or visiting a country through meetings and other forms of communication, through study of local engineering practice, and through contact with ASCE World Headquarters; to achieve closer personal acquaintance and spirit of cooperation among engineers; to cooperate with other local engineering societies in matters of common interest; and to assist in attaining the objectives of ASCE.

The Society currently has Groups in 14 countries: Brazil, India, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Lebanon, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and the UK. ASCE International Sections (Groups can evolve into sections) are found in Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Panama, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, the United ArabEmirates, and Mexico. If you are interested in forming an International Group in your country, please contact Julia Kang at jkang@asce.org for further information.

From ASCE Publications

Environmental and Water Resources Institute (EWRI) and ASCE Attend the 4th World Water Forum in Mexico City.

See the newsletter of the ASCE Environmental and Water Resources Institute, EWRI Currents (Spring 2006), for a report on EWRI and ASCE involvement in a major water conference.

News From ASCE

John A. Roebling Symposium and Tours

October 27 – 29, 2006

Brooklyn, New York

Online Registration Now Available!

The History & Heritage Committee (HHC) and the New Jersey and Metropolitan Sections of ASCE are co-sponsoring a Symposium and tours in honor of the 200th anniversary of John A. Roebling’s birth. The Symposium will be held on Friday, October 27th at the Marriott Hotel by the Brooklyn Bridge. It will include presentations on Roebling’s works and the effect his innovations and projects had on the civil engineering field. On Saturday there will be a full-day bus tour of several Roebling-related projects, including the Delaware Aqueduct. The event will climax on Sunday with a walking tour of the Brooklyn Bridge and other sites of interest.

For more information on this special event, please go to http://www.asce.org/history/roebling_06.cfm. If you have any questions, contact Carol Reese (creese@asce.org), staff contact for the HHC.

International Civil Engineers Certified in Water Resources Engineering

In its second year of the Diplomate specialty certification program, ASCE’s American Academy of Water Resources Engineers (AAWRE) has announced 78 new engineers who have earned the Diplomate, Water Resource Engineer (D.WRE) credential. Holding the Diplomate credential demonstrates the highest level of achievement in water resources engineering through the individual’s ethics, education and experience. Guy Jacquet, P.Eng, D.WRE, from Nanterre, France, Peter Stahre, P.Eng, D.WRE, from Malmo, Sweden, and George Zukovs, P.Eng, D.WRE, of Ontario, Canada, are international Diplomates that earned the credential in October 2005 and will be recognized at EWRI's 2006 World Environmental & Water Resources Congress. For more information on AAWRE Diplomates: http://www.aawre.org/pressroom.cfm

For further information on EWRI's 2006 World Environmental & Water Resources Congress, see http://www.asce.org/conferences/ewri2006/

Outstanding Projects and Leaders (OPAL) Award Presented to Hatch, Boeckmann

ASCE Honorary Member Hank Hatch recently received the prestigious ASCE Outstanding Projects and Leaders (OPAL) Award for lifetime achievement in government, while Alan Boeckmann, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Fluor Corporation, was granted the same honor for management.

Hatch served for 35 years in the U. S. Army, retiring as Chief of Engineers and Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. As the senior engineering officer, he strengthened project management, developed effective environmental programs, and conceived and promoted new concepts for Army peacetime operations. Following his retirement from the military, Hatch worked for Fluor Daniel Hanford, Inc., and Law Companies Group, Inc., specializing in the management of environmental clean-ups. His current volunteer work involves building engineering expertise capacity in Iraq and Afghanistan and strengthening the engineering programs of the United Nations, Educational, Social and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Hank is currently the Chair of the ASCE International Activities Committee and the American Association of Engineering Societies International Activities Committee.  For more information visit http://www.asce.org/pressroom/news/display_press.cfm?uid=2411 

Alan Boeckmann has been actively involved in the fight against corruption in the international engineering and construction industry. As chairman of the Engineering and Construction Governors of the World Economic Forum, Boeckmann played a major role in the multinational task force charged with establishing benchmark business principles. ASCE’s own Task Committee on Global Principles for Professional Conduct, launched by ASCE Past President Bill Henry, greatly benefited from Mr. Boeckmann’s leadership.  For further details,go to http://www.asce.org/pressroom/news/display_press.cfm?uid=2410

Prestigious International Prize Goes to ASCE Honorary Member

Alfred H.S. Ang, Ph.D., Hon.M.ASCE was recently selected as the recipient of the International Prize of the Japan Society of Civil Engineers 2005. Dr. Ang maintains heavy involvement as the ASCE liaison to the Asian Civil Engineering Coordinating Council (ACECC). He was commended for his long-standing involvement ACECC, his highly regarded reputation in Asia, more specifically Japan, and his past activities as ASCE International Director.

ASCE Fellow Receives the Founders Award of Engineers Without Borders

Donald V. Roberts, P.E., F.ASCE was recently recognized for his contributions to Engineers Without Borders – USA. EWB-USA works to implement sustainable development projects in developing countries. Roberts is an engineering consultant and is an active member of the Colorado Section. For more information click here.

Students Only

Prize for Student Essay Contest is a Free Trip to Taipei
Take advantage of a great opportunity by participating in the student essay contest for the 4th Civil Engineering Conference in the Asian Region (CECAR). Papers should be no longer than 20 pages and the focus should be on a sustainability topic, preferably on sustainability in Asia. Papers are due December 15, 2006 and the winner will be notified at the end of January. Winners will be provided free airfare and accommodations to Taipei, Taiwan and the opportunity to present their papers. Please send papers to Al Ang, ASCE representative to CECAR at ahang2@aol.com by the deadline.

Save Money on Test Preparation Courses
ASCE’s partnership with Kaplan now entitles members and their immediate family to a $50 savings on all GMAT, GRE, LSAT and SAT courses. This discount is available for all classroom and online test preparation courses offered by Kaplan as well as their private tutoring programs.

For additional information or to register, go to www.asce.org/conted/distancelearning/prefkaplan.cfm

SUBMIT ARTICLES for the August issue!

Please send us current news and events from your institution and be sure to include a URL, email address or links to articles on engineering in the global environment. Articles should be sent to Julia Kang at jkang@asce.org no later than June 29, 2006.

Learn More About ASCE Internationally and Our Partners