Engineering Ethics

Nael Barakat, assistant professor of engineering at Grand Valley State University, believes that it is important for engineers to practice their profession ethically. That’s why he was happy to be named to a four-year term on the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Committee on Ethical Standards & Review (CESR) in 2007.

“Joining the committee is of critical importance to me, personally, because It allows me to link engineering students to the core of the ethics of professional practice from the very beginning of their careers,” Barakat said. “It also allows me to actively contribute to the profession and bring that experience back into the classroom."

The School of Engineering places a high value on ethical practice. “Ethics has always been a fundamental part of the engineering profession. The focus of engineering ethics is to protect and safeguard the health and welfare of the public and to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession,” Barakat said.

The Committee on Ethical Standards and Review is responsible for the activities of ASME that relate to the ethical practice of engineering. These include maintenance of the ASME Code of Ethics, policies on Conflicts of Interest and Sexual Harassment, and procedures for handling ethics cases.

Barakat teaches and develops courses and curricula in mechanical and electromechanical engineering, including dynamic systems modeling and control, robotics engineering, engineering ethics, mechanics, and automation. He serves on various department and university committees and advises students including the ASME section at Grand Valley State University. He also carries out ABET accreditation and assessment tasks and advises on industrial senior projects in robotics, automation and systems integration. His industrial experience includes contract work in automation, manufacturing processes, uncertainty reduction and precision improvement.

“We are pleased to have an engineer of this caliber to fill this position on the CESR. Dr. Barakat’s experience in the engineering profession and in maintaining high ethical standards will serve him well as we strive to fulfill our goal to be recognized as a prime example of professional society ethics for the world,” said Andrew Taylor, P.E., CESR chair.