HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRIPE-VINE: OUR NEW ABNORMAL
 

Let me start off with a short family anecdote. Back in 2016, my youngest son was in his last year of high school, and was seeking advice on what university course to take. Unlike me, he’s strong in the sciences and mathematics; and I really pushed him to consider Industrial Engineering (if he ended up at UP), or Management Engineering (if at the Ateneo). I also encouraged him to favor UP as that would broaden his life experiences; and I assured him that his Ateneo friends would not vanish, and he’d be casting a wider net of people he could then consider as lifetime contacts.

Luca did take my advice, and upon graduating cum laude (proud Dad, so humor me mentioning that) from UP in July 2022, there was a strong job offer at one of the major shopping apps waiting for him; a management program that involved travel abroad and being exposed to the different aspects of the organization. I start off with this anecdote because the industrial engineer is in demand today in the workplace; and it’s funny to note that up to today, IE is a course often misunderstood, and even ridiculed by some.

My youngest, Luca, graduating from UP July 2022, with a degree in Industrial Engineering.

Unlike other engineering courses, there is no board exam for industrial engineering; so the other engineering disciplines have perennially joked that IE really stands for ‘-indi engineering’. In defense, IE graduates would counter saying that beyond the engineering, hard science side, an IE course involves studying the business bottom line, finance, savings, and business improvement; so it’s impact engineering - plus IE’s often end up in top management positions, and are the bosses of these board-certified engineers.

In the private sector, Security Bank Chairman Frederick Dy, Globe Telecom’s CEO Ernest Cu, and Alphaland Chairman Eric Recto, are among the notable examples substantiating this notion about industrial engineers rising to the top of the companies they’re involved in. The late Jesse Robredo, former Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, obtained undergraduate degrees in Industrial Management Engineering and Mechanical Engineering at De La Salle University.

An industrial engineer will look critically at both the technical and business aspects of a work environment. Operational relevance and maximizing productivity will be foremost on the IE’s mindset. There’s ergonomics, business case modeling, quality control, supply chain management, time-motion studies, return on investment (ROI); such that when it comes to problem-solving, the IE can tackle issues such as devising a better system for queueing in a bank or in our Immigration counters, to projecting economic returns and benefits for proposed mergers and acquisitions.

(From left) Engineers Rodel Adviso,PIIE founding chairman, Roberto Bontia, PIIE 25th Anniversary committee chair, and current PIIE President Jerry Lim.

On Oct. 27, 2023, the Philippine Institute of Industrial Engineers (PIIE) will be at the New World Makati to celebrate its 25th anniversary. A Plenary Congress and Research Conference will be held during the day, followed by a Gala Awards Dinner, when this year’s PIIE luminaries will be presented. Engineer Roberto Bontia, 25th Anniversary Committee Chairman of PIIE, and Chief Transformation Officer at Metro Pacific Tollways is proud to announce that, “Our theme for this 25th year is Industrial Engineers as business transformation catalysts and enablers.”

Engineer Bontia goes on to expound on how when it comes to three of the hottest trends and buzzwords of the day - digital transformation, Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability - the IE is well-poised to precisely be the aforementioned catalysts and enablers. Plus I’d venture to add that given the nature of the education and mindset of IE’s, they’ll also be in possession of more soft skills than regular scientists or engineers - skills crucial when it comes to leadership and motivating.

Since 2010, the PIIE has been conducting a baseline competency exam so that beyond the degree, one can be a certified industrial engineer. Companies have welcomed this move, as it helps level the field beyond saying one graduated from a prestige academic institution. After a few years of practice, the title of professional industrial engineer can be sought through the PIIE; and they can also bestow the status of ASEAN Engineer, of great help if one is seeking to work within the region.

With its mantra of people planet and profit, the industrial engineer of today can come up with business models aimed at carbon neutrality, without sacrificing efficiency, quality, and profitability. AI is a tool the IE is well-equipped to harness in the name of transformation and sustainability. And with the Filipino IE well-represented by the Institute; it’s only hoped that the IE’s of today will support the PIIE, and further raise the standard of their profession.