CLB 40002 Engineering Technologist in Society

Dr NorzahirSapawe_July 2017

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ENGINEERING AND ENGINEERING

TECHNOLOGY

Nur Affeena Rosli1, NorazuraSidin Awi2, Gabrielle Isabelle Solei Muhammad3, Nur Nabilah Ramlee4
1, 2, 3, 4Section of Bioengineering, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering Technology,
Lot 1988 Vendor City, TabohNaning, 78000 Alor Gajah, Melaka

Corresponding author: naffeena.rosli@s.unikl.edu.my

Abstract
Many people are often confused between the difference of engineering and engineering technology. These two fields can be
categorized into three perspective including academic background, employment opportunities and registration as a
professional engineer. Many people claim that 4-year engineering technologist graduate is just a path to an engineering
career that focus on applications of technology over theory but some claim that they only act as a supporting role to real
engineer. Even though, there are some differences in the job scope between these two but in fact both of this field comply
each other. As the whole picture, engineering programs focus on theoretical and scientific knowledge as well as conceptual
design whereas engineering technology focus more on application of skills and implementation. Engineers use their
scientific and mathematical knowledge to design solutions to engineering problems while engineering technologists use
technical skills to create the systems designed by engineers. Therefore, without engineering technologist, engineers cannot
do their job successfully.

Keyword: [differences, engineering, engineering technology]

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