The global challenge of managing innovation—and the risks that come with it—galvanized a record crowd of international engineers meeting in New Delhi, India, last month, as they struggle to raise the profession’s image worldwide and tackle the planet’s growing problems.
“In order for us to be innovative, it is time for our profession to be accorded higher standards so we’re not looked at as a commodity to be bought at the lowest price,” Gregs Thomopulos, president of the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC), told 750 attendees on Sept. 19 at the group’s annual conference. Thompulos also is chairman of Stanley Consultants, Muscatine, Iowa.