In 2010, UNESCO in partnership with the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), the International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences (CAETS) and the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC), produced the world’s first comprehensive study on engineering. The UNESCO report, Engineering: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities for Development, highlights the importance of engineers to the socio-economic development of humankind. As stated in the publication,

“Engineering drives social, economic and human development and underpins our knowledge societies and infrastructures. It is a major factor in innovation and indeed the rise and fall of civilizations” (UNESCO Report, 2010, back cover).

Despite the importance of engineers to the improvement of global societies, there are a number of issues, most pertinent is the shortage of engineers, that need to be brought to the public’s attention and that need to be addressed by international organizations, civil societies, industries, academic institutions and national governments.