Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Professional Engineering
1. According to the engineering council act, all the engineering college should
be registered to the council so that the products (Engineers) from such
college are eligible to get the membership otherwise not. A college named
XYZ after affiliation with the reputed university has started the bachelor
degree in Computer and Electronic Engineering to provide the skillful
manpower for the nation. When it completed one academic session, the
product (Engineer) came on the market for the competition. Once an
engineer interested to apply for Lok Sewa (Public Service Commission
Government Sector) and Lok Sewa rejected to forward his application
because of his membership of Engineering Council. He went to get
membership to the council; finally he found his college was not registered
in the council. Discuss the role of the different parties in this case study.
2. Er Satyaman Shrestha was working as a Project Engineer in a road
construction project in Chitwan. Er Ramesh Thapa, close friend of
Satyaman was also working as a site engineer in the same project for a
construction company. Construction work was in full swing. Ramesh and
Satyaman were tired every day after the work. Almost every day, Ramesh
proposes Satyaman for drinks and good foods in the restaurant after work.
After few days of work Satyaman noticed that the ratio of cement mortar
used in the stone masonry was 1:6 instead of 1:4 as per design. Similarly,
there was 1:3:6 ratio of mixture instead of 1:2:4 as per design in the PCC
and RCC works. Satyaman complained of this and asked for the reason.
Ramesh told to Satyaman that the strength required for the construction is
still safe in the mortar of 1:6 and concrete of 1:3:6 and also this is only the
means to cover the overheads of entertainments and other financial
benefits, Ramesh did this. As this action does not affect the quality of
work, Ramesh requested Satyaman to stay silent on this matter and
assured Satyaman that he would be responsible for all the consequences
arising if any. How would you judge the role of Satyaman and Ramesh in
ethical ground? Discuss.
3. An election is to be held next month. One of the MPs (Member of
Parliament) of your constituency comes to you and requests you to divert
some of the budget to have a feasibility survey of different road routes in
your district to give positive impression of his initiatives to the people
residing there. Being a technical executive officer of the district, what
would you do?
4. You are working as an engineer from a consulting firm in Pokhara. Your
friend Mr Ram is working as a project engineer from contractor in the same
project. Mr Ram invites you for dinner every Friday to celebrate good
Friday and requests you to share the guesthouse for your
accommodation.What would you do? Prepare a case study based on code
of ethics. Make supplementary assumptions if necessary.
5. Engineer Ramesh Shrestha was working with the contractor in the mega
construction project (say construction of multi-dimensional underground
business complex in Kathmandu). You were given responsibility to control
quality of work in the site. The construction company had maintained
confidentiality of the incentives and salary of employees and the state of
quality of work as a management tools. One day Ramesh happen to come
to the office of executive engineer Sudhir, from site, Er Sudhir was not in
his office. While waiting for Er sudhir, Er Ramesh went through the
computer of executive engineer. He opened tire confidential file of
incentives and salaries of employees in the computer. He found differences
in the levels of salaries and incentives to different employees.In the
meantime, Er Sudhir came to his room and found Ramesh looking
Page 1 of 11
confidential file on the computer. Sudhir was not happy with Ramesh for
this act. How do you judge the conduct of Ramesh in the ethical ground?
How should Sudhir react with Ramesh for this behavior?
6. A RCC bridge was designed by the designer on behalf of consultant. This
was constructed by the reputed A-Class contractor. After the completion
of the construction, traffic was allowed on the bridge. After six month of
operation there were cracks in the bridge. A probe team was established
by the road department.The design procedure was okay, but it was found
that the quality of steel material used was not duly tested. The contractor
argued that the procedure of construction was in accordance with the
instruction of engineer and specification, however, the workmanship was
found not as per specification. There was also lack of proper supervision by
the consultant. The design load for the bridge was 20 tons. It was also
reported that there happen to pass more than 20 tons vehicles also.The
consultant was good friend of contractor. Being a member of the probe
team, what is your judgment on the failure of this bridge?
7. Both Mr Shyam Lal and Mr Ram Lal consultant engineers slipped on the
florr of the building during their inspection visit, which was under
construction, causing serious injury. During investigation it was revealed
that the floor was not constructed as per design and specification making
it slippery. The flooring work was sub contracted to Mr Hari on Mr Shyam
Lals recommendation.Who is to blame? Give reasons.
8. In a construction project for which you are the consultants supervising
engineer, the contractor requests you for preparing his running bill of
works done, and assuring you to pay a handsome amount for your work, as
his engineer recently quit the job.How should you respond? Explain your
arguments.
9. A production company invited you to attend a one day interaction program
to be organized at Hotel Yak and Yeti, Kathmandu. A program includes
advertisement of the products, free distribution of a hand bag and a dinner
party. Will you attend that program or not? Give reasons.
10. Mr Kamal, an engineering graduate, carried out survey for telephone line
requirement for a newly growth city near Kathmandu Valley. He estimated
500 lines for five years period. But, in two years period, the demand for
telephone lines dramatically increased and application for telephone line
was reached 2500.Discuss this case with reference to reasonable skill and
competency of a professional.
11. You are appointed as a consulting engineer in a project where your best
friend is supplying materials. The communities people knew the fact and
asked you to quit the job because you cannot control the quality of the
material. How do you cope with this situation? Discuss ethical aspects
related to this situation.
12. Er Narendra Sah was working with the contractor in a construction project
(say construction of housing complex in Kathmandu). He was given the
responsibilities to control quality of work in the site. Incidentally, material
supplier (Ramchandra) in the construction is a friend of Narendra.Owing to
the road blockade and other strikes; Ramchandra was facing difficulty in
supplying sand and aggregates as per the given specification. Sand and
aggregates materials were available in the close proximity of the site, but
it is slightly sub-standard. Ramchandra requested Narendra to allow this
material to be used for construction. Ramchandra convinced Narendra that
the strength of concrete shall be produced as per specification even with
the use of sub-standard materials. Ramchandra also offered to share 50%
Page 2 of 11
of the cost saved during this process. How do you judge the conduct of
Narendra and Ramchandra on an ethical ground?
13. A student got NQ in the ABC subject and was barred to seat in the final
exam conducted by the university. The students claimed to the teacher
that he didnt find the opportunity to make up this NQ giving the
betterment exam. Student threats teacher and teacher felt uncomfortable
to continue the classes keeping such tension on the mind. How would you
judge the role of student and teacher in this case?
Page 3 of 11
stage of starting a design work, it has already been known that the soil type is
unsuitable. Thus based on the above discussion as a designer, I will not be
involved in designing that structure.
Tips 1) Engineering, more than any other profession involves social experimentation.
Often one engineers decision affects the safety of countless lives. It is, therefore,
important that engineers constantly remember that their first obligation is to
ensure the publics safety.
Tips 2)
Tips 3) Professional engineers shall have proper regard in all their work for the safety and
welfare of all persons and for the physical environment affected by their work.
Tips 4)
Page 4 of 11
With reference to above discussions, I will be ready to quit the job, but I wont
stay silent on that case which is hazardous to public and environment.
2)
Tips 1)
Professionals are bound by code of ethics. They are not free to act as what they
desire. Personal & professional behaviors are controlled by code of ethics
prepared by professional association/societies.
Tips 2)
Professional engineers shall acts for their clients or employers as faithful agents
or trustees and also act independently & with fairness & justice to all participants.
Tips 3)
3)
Page 5 of 11
Solution:On the ground of professional ethics, the culprits of the incident have been
mentioned in prime order as below:
Consultant: Professional engineers shall have proper regard in all their work for the safety
and welfare of all persons and for the physical environment affected by their
work.
On
this
ethical
background,
consultant
should
thoroughly
verified/supervised/checked each and every aspects of the constructional
activities and should instructs concerned contractor to rectify faulty works/design
immediately otherwise works should be stopped instantly. This does not seem to
be happened.
Supervisor DTO: Since professional practices are concerned with public safety, welfare
of all persons and for the physical environment affected by their work and also
subjected to public evaluation. Supervising office seems to be unaware of
problems regarding nuts of bulldog grips on time.
Contractor: Contractor should have followed the instructions and tighten up the nuts of
bulldog grips immediately. But this action seems to be lack.
Owner: Having knowledge of technical/design fault in the construction of bridge, owner
should not have opened the bridge to the public unless the rectifications have
been completed.
Both Mr. Shyam Lal and Ram Lal, consultant engineers, applied on the
floor of the building during their inspection visit, which was under
construction, causing serious injury. During investigation it was revealed
that the floor was not constructed as per design and specification
making it slippery. The flooring work was subcontracted to Mr. Hari on
Mr. Shyam lals recommendation. Who is to blame? Give reasons.
4)
Solution:Mr. Shyam Lal should take responsibility for the incidents with reference to the
following ethical backgrounds
Tips 1)
Professional engineer shall have proper regard in all their work for the
safety and welfare of all persons and for the physical environment affected by
their
5)
Page 6 of 11
stone masonry was 1:6 instead of 1:4 as per design. Similarly, there was
1:3:6 ratio of mixture instead of 1:2:4 as per design in the PCC and RCC
works. Satyaman complained of this and asked for the reason. Ramesh
told to Satyaman that the strength required for the construction is still
safe in the mortar of 1:6 and concrete of 1:3:6 and also this is only the
means to cover the overheads of entertainments and other financial
benefits, Ramesh did this. As this action does not affect the quality of
work, Ramesh requested Satyaman to stay silent on this matter and
assured Satyaman that he would be responsible for all the consequences
arising if any. How would you judge the role of Satyaman and Ramesh in
ethical ground?
Solution:Role of Satyaman & Ramesh in ethical background:
Role of Ramesh:
Role of Satyaman:
6)
If Engineer has proof that engineer has been unethical, illegal or unfair in his
practice, he should be advised to proper his practice of authority.
Similarly, engineer should practices their work within their realm of expertise,
they do so in a fair and ethical manner, and they should place the good of
society above their personal gain.
Professional engineer shall not be engaged in activities or accept
remuneration for services rendered that may create a conflict of interest with
their clients or employers, without the knowledge and consent of their clients
or employers.
Regarding above ethical scenario, Satyaman should advise and request
Ramesh to be ethical and practice his authority properly.
Tips 1)
Page 7 of 11
Tips 2)
Professional engineers shall acts for their clients or employers as faithful agents
or trustees and also act independently & with fairness & justice to all
participants.
7)
Tips 1) Professional engineer shall not be engaged in activities or accept remuneration for
services rendered that may create a conflict of interest with their clients or
employers, without the knowledge and consent of their clients or employers.
Tips 2) Professional engineers shall acts for their clients or employers as faithful agents or
trustees and also act independently & with fairness & justice to all participants.
Tips 3)
With reference to above ethical aspects & background, I will not prepare the
running bill for the contractor. If I intended to prepare, it will be against code of
ethics and immoral and may be viable for liability.
Tips 4)
8)
Tips 1)
Professional engineers shall have proper regard in all their work for the safety
and welfare of all persons and for the physical environment affected by their
work.
On
this
ethical
background,
consultant
should
thoroughly
Page 8 of 11
Tips 3)
Professional practices are concerned with public safety, welfare of all persons
and for the physical environment affected by their work and also subjected to
public evaluation.
9)
Engineer Ramesh Shrestha was working with the contractor in the mega
construction project (say construction of multi-dimensional underground
business complex in Kathmandu). You were given responsibility to control
quality of work in the site. The construction company had maintained
confidentiality of the incentives and salary of employees and the state of
quality of work as a management tools. One day, Ramesh happen to come to
the office of executive engineer Sudhir, from site.Er. Sudhir was not in his
office. While waiting for Er. Sudhir, Er. Ramesh went through the computer of
executive engineer. He opened entire confidential file of incentives and
salaries of employees in the computer. He found differences in the level of
salaries and incentives to different employees. In the mean time Er. Sudhir
came to his room and found Ramesh looking confidential file on the
computer. Sudhir was not happy with Ramesh for this act. How do you judge
the conduct of Ramesh in the ethical ground? How should Sudhir react with
Ramesh for this behavior?
Solutions:
I think conduct of Ramesh was unethical and immoral with respect to ethical practices
as summarized below. Sudhir should respond it seriously and he should advise,
instruct and guide Er. Ramesh regarding the ethical practices mentioned below
immediately so that those sorts of incidents never happen again.
10)
Professional engineer shall take care that credit for engineering works is given to
those directly responsible for
Engineer will not attempt to injure falsely or maliciously professional reputation,
prospects or practice of other engineer.
Similarly, engineer should give due regards to all professional aspects of the
engagement
Professional engineer will not review the work of other engineer for the same client
except with the knowledge of such engineer
Engineer shall not disclose confidential information without the consent of their
clients or employers, unless the withholding of information is consider contrary to
the safety of the public
Page 9 of 11
11)
During quality control visit in a remote village, it has been found that a
building is being constructed on the bank of river, and it will be damaged
due to flood. Approximately 20% of the construction was completed. The
survey was done by your friend with the consent of the local people.
However, the quality of construction was as per specification. Your job is
limited to control the quality of the building only. Discuss the case and
recommend your views on whether to continue the construction or not.
(2067)
Solution:
I will recommend to stop the construction work despite the work is running
according to specs. Though there are several measures to mitigate the flood, the
building which is constructed near bank of river is always vulnerable to damage &
possibility of washed away. So rather taking risk, it is better to stop the
construction work although the 20% work has been completed. Money must not &
wont be a prime & important factor as compare to human life & safety.
Surveyor as my friend should not have designed the building in such a vulnerable
area. He should have convinced the public (despite the consent given by people)
regarding the possibility & scale of damage to be abided by the village people. He
should be aware of his professional code of conduct & liabilities of his duty.
It is also a fact that characteristics & its flow pattern of the flood are well known
by surveyor than village people.
Surveyor conducts shall be deal with following context
Page 10 of 11
Professional practices are concerned with public safety, welfare of all persons and
for the physical environment affected by their work and also subjected to public
evaluation.
Differences and Similarities
Most people have confusion in copyright and patent. To magnify the difference between these terms,
here are some points.
Copyrights are arts based, while patent are science-based protections.
Copyright cover the works of authorship like literary, musical and dramatic work. On the
other hand, patent protects those inventions that are new and useful.
For applying copyright authorship must be original and real medium. The requirements for
patent are new, useful and non-obvious.
As the authorship work created, protection from copyright begins. While, patent protection is
not applicable, until patent is properly issued.
Copyright is issued to author until his/her life plus 50-70 years, depends upon country law. On
the other side, patent protection time is different in different countries. Normally, patent
provide protection for 10-20 years from the date of application.
A copyright is almost free and paper work is not very complicated. On the contrary, applying
process for patent is much difficult. The reason is that checking process of invention is so
lengthy and costly.
Conclusion
No doubt, both Copyright and patent grant the owners of intellectual property their exclusive control
over production, sale and advertisement. However, it is very important to clear the difference between
these two terms and their condition of application, as a large number of intellectual work remain hidden
from people eyes due to lack of knowledge.
Page 11 of 11