A Message from Patrick Chang
CIE-USA Engineers Week Co-Chair 2008

Engineers Week - February 17-23, 2008

One of the many benefits of being an engineer is the opportunity to enhance lives and make a difference.  By sharing our personal experiences and what we like most about being an engineer with students and fellow engineering professionals, we help the next generation discover the rewards of our profession. 

As co-chair of Engineers Week 2008, CIE-USA is especially interested in reaching a broad spectrum of students and practitioners in diverse communities, especially those that are underrepresented in our field.  CIE-USA and our co-chair IBM share a strong commitment to diversity and a global vision. 

Like our co-chair partner, CIE-USA has spent many decades working to advance our communities, our profession, and the lives of people around the globe.  First founded in 1917 by Chinese-born engineers who came to the United States for training in engineering and railroad building, CIE-USA is among the oldest non-profit engineering foundations in the world.

Our heritage and history has allowed us to see the benefits of diversity and expanding the ranks of engineering firsthand.  It may be hard to imagine, but a little more than a century ago, the entire nation of China did not have a single Chinese engineer.  Today, it is a global leader in engineering and technology and is engineering the world’s most prestigious sporting event: the Olympics.  That transformation began with a small group of Chinese students who were welcomed by American colleges and universities to learn the engineering profession, which eventually led to the founding of CIE-USA. 

We understand the importance of opening doors.  Now is the time to ensure that same welcome to every person, regardless of background, into our profession.

Most current CIE-USA members are first or second generation Chinese Americans.  We are living proof of the American dream. Our members are well equipped to build bridges that can bring about the exchange of ideas and aspirations based on different cultures. 

CIE-USA is committed to opening the doors of opportunity to everyone.  That is why we have pledged to advance this noble goal starting with our position as co-chair of Engineers Week 2008 and extending outreach programs in all of our chapters.

Among the proudest contributions we make is our annual Asian American Engineer of the Year Award.  This meaningful platform recognizes outstanding Asian American engineering professionals and is the only program of its kind within Engineers Week celebrations in America.  Their accomplishments have ranged from the development of skin substitute to treat burn patients (Yuan-Cheng B. Fung) to pioneering the field of microscale thermophysical engineering (Chang-Lin Tien) that has had far-reaching effects on energy utilization and conservation, materials, and the semiconductor industry.

Engineers Week gives each of us an opportunity to contribute in our own way.  The programs and events that EWeek provides give us an opportunity to reach out to middle-school and high school students and the global engineering communities at large.  [http://www.eweek.org/site/About/background.shtml] I urge you to help engage, inspire and grow the next generation of engineers by lending your support.  I welcome all engineers to join me in celebrating Engineers Week 2008.

Patrick Chang

CIE-USA EWeek Co-Chair 2008