Question 13

Developing

Discuss the work of civil engineers in developing countries and describe the
benefits in relation to the host country, the profession and the individual
engineer.

countries

are

characterised

by

widespread

poverty,

general

lack

of

infrastructure and a shortage of hard currency to remedy matters. Corruption at all levels of
government and public service is often rife, while most major projects are funded by foreign
agencies. However, many UK engineers have, over the years, embraced the challenge that
working in such countries offers and have been enriched by the experience.
In this essay, I shall discuss some of the types of work undertaken by expatriate UK
engineers in developing nations and detail some of the benefits to the people of the country in
which they work, to the UK civil engineering profession as a whole and to the individual
concerned.

UK engineers may be directly employed on an individual basis by a host government or quango.

Many carry out long-term assignments with voluntary aid agencies, such as VSO, while others
assist at short notice in the event of emergencies, for example those on the Register of
Engineers for Disaster Relief. Nevertheless, most expatriate engineers are employed by UK
companies who have obtained a contract for work overseas. This can cover the whole range of
activities commonly carried out in the industrialised world, from research and development to
design, construction and management. All levels of staff are called upon, from graduates to
technical specialists and directors.
Any type of work may be carried out, from the installation of very high-technology oil refining
process plant to the improvement of simple roads. However, most projects usually aim at
providing the basic infrastructure required to sustain life and to aid the country in its
economic development. Roads, bridges, dams and water supply, irrigation and treatment
schemes often benefit from UK engineering expertise.
I worked on the Algiers Metro over five years from my office in France and spent three
months actually in Algeria. While it was economically questionable whether a heavy metro
system was the most urgent requirement for the development of Algiers, the success of the
project was politically important for the credibility of the government.

Successful work in developing countries often involves making the best use of local skills and
other resources. An appropriate level of technology must be used to carry out the project in
the first place and to then allow locals to maintain it following the departure of the
expatriates. Overseas input serves little purpose if the end product is not sustainable.
The UK engineer has to achieve these goals taking full account of local customs, culture and
work practices. It is often important for local engineers or politicians to be perceived to be in
charge of projects, while what can seem to be simple decisions can take a considerable amount
of time due to entirely non-engineering considerations. It is important for UK engineers to

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understand how the project on which they are working is funded and what its political aims
are.
Working conditions are often difficult, due to the geographical remoteness of a site or the
rudimentary and unreliable local means of communication. Material resources are often scarce
in Algeria the simplest Biro pen was considered a luxury and much prized by the local staff.
Engineering practices may vary widely from what is commonly accepted in the UK, and
outsiders often require great tact.
The difficulty of language barriers simply exacerbates the other problems. Again in Algeria, I
was the sole representative of my company within a French joint venture of consultants. The
local contractors employed French, Polish and Russian designers, although meetings often
broke down into prolonged exchanges in Arabic between the client and the contractors.
Meeting minutes had to be laboriously written and read back for approval as each decision was
taken, to avoid later recriminations.

Despite the many difficulties that are a feature of projects in developing countries, the host
nation generally reaps many benefits. The UK engineer brings a high level of technical
expertise, much of which is passed on to locals, often through formalised technology transfer
agreements. These expatriates are, a priori, independent professionals, without any political
or cultural ties to any of the many factions that can hamper a projects progress.
The provision of essential infrastructure can encourage both internal and external investment,
helping a countrys economic growth and general development. Expatriates are perhaps better
placed to communicate a countrys need to developed world funding organisations, such as the
World Bank, than locals who might not understand the perception of their own country from
abroad.

Through the work of its members overseas, the international profile of the UK civil
engineering profession is raised and its status enhanced. Companies gain experience that may
have applications in other countries or contexts. Links are forged with local organisations,
which could help secure further work in the future. Companies benefit from the increased
motivation of their staff, many of whom join the industry actively seeking overseas experience
and challenges. Additionally, work in developing countries can often turn out to be highly
profitable compared with the extremely narrow margins currently obtained in the Western
world.

Individual engineers often come back from overseas postings with a deep sense of
achievement a job well done in difficult circumstances. They are enriched personally through
their contact with different cultures and languages. Frequently, a more open-minded approach
to problem solving is required, which has benefits in all contexts. Expatriate staff frequently
find themselves in much higher positions of responsibility than they had in the UK. This can
aid progression up the career ladder, as well as being more fulfilling on a personal level. Locals
often look upon UK engineers to provide leadership and guidance, while they have more

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autonomy than would normally be the case. An individuals self-reliance is thus developed and
his or her self-confidence boosted.

To conclude, many UK civil engineers work in developing countries at some point in their
career. Conditions are often difficult, but problems are generally overcome to the satisfaction
of all parties. The host country benefits in many ways from UK involvement, as does our
domestic industry. Individual engineers discover fresh professional and personal challenges,
and return enriched by their experiences.

(1012 words)

Question 13

Discuss the work of civil engineers in developing countries and describe the
benefits in relation to the host country, the profession and the individual
engineer.

Essay Plan
Introduction
define developing countries;
define essay limited to expatriate UK engineers;
discuss areas of work and benefits for host country, the profession in the UK and the
individual engineer.
Work of civil engineers in developing countries
Employment as:
direct employee of host organisation;
foreign company: R&D, design (some in UK), contractor, management, specialist,
developer;
aid agencies, VSO, REDR.
Type of work:
usually basic infrastructure;
could be high tech e.g. oil uncommon;

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 example: Algiers metro.

Characteristics of work:
making best use of local skills & materials;
appropriate technology to be sustainable local maintenance;
sensitivity to local customs: cultural differences prayers, politics, work ethics,
locals in charge;
difficulty of achieving simple things due to conditions: lack of resources (pens),
remote locations (travel and communications), language barrier;
understanding of client funding.
Host country benefits
high level of expertise technology transfer;
better able to bid for overseas aid;
infrastructure could encourage foreign investment;
independence no local political/religious ties.
UK profession benefits
good publicity helps in host country & elsewhere vs. foreign firms;
wider experience within UK industry;
raises profile of UK engineering;
links with locals for further work;
jobs can be profitable;
can motivate staff to be posted overseas.
Individual benefits
broader experience different culture, technology, languages;
different approach to problem solving more open-minded;
looked on to provide leadership higher level of responsibility, autonomy, step up
career ladder;
encourages self-reliance & self-confidence;
chance to travel more interesting person!
Conclusion
many UK engineers work abroad at some point;
advantages to all concerned.

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