When politics threatens merit

Bangladesh is on the brink of a technological revolution. From infrastructure to energy and digital innovation, engineers will play a decisive role in shaping this future. Yet, a troubling divide threatens the integrity of the profession - the politicisation of engineering roles.
Traditionally, B.Sc. engineers, trained through a rigorous and selective process, lead in design, research and project management, while diploma graduates provide essential technical and supervisory support. Both roles are indispensable and complementary. However, recent political lobbying by some groups of diploma engineers has blurred these lines. Backed by influence rather than merit, they demand inflated quotas, automatic promotions, reserved posts, and even lateral entry into universities - demands that undermine professional harmony and compromise standards.
Titles in engineering are not matters of prestige alone; they carry legal, ethical, and technical responsibility. Equating diploma graduates with professional engineers misleads the public, risks infrastructure quality, and erodes trust. Globally, such graduates are recognised as technicians or technologists - respected roles that support, but do not replace, professional engineers. Bangladesh must align with these international norms.
The government must act to safeguard meritocracy. Career pathways should be transparent, promotions should reflect skill and performance and academic entry should remain rigorous. Allowing political muscle to dictate recognition not only demoralises university-educated engineers but also threatens the efficiency of national projects and the country's international reputation.

Md. Tanvirul Islam
Final-Year B.Sc. in EEE, BUET