First-year students pledge commitment to ethical practice

In an Australian first, Monash Engineering first-year students have written their own Student Charter and undertaken a pledge ceremony to signify their commitment to upholding ethical principles in engineering practice.

Inspired by the Canadian ‘iron pin’ engineering student tradition and the Engineers Australia code of ethics, the Student Charter was developed by a committee of student club and team leaders and first-year engineering students with support from the faculty’s Director of Engineering Education, Associate Professor Nicoleta Maynard. First-year students attended a ceremony at Robert Blackwood Hall in which they recited a pledge to affirm their commitment to the Charter, and received a commemorative key ring to keep as a reminder.

Dean of Engineering Professor Elizabeth Croft opened the ceremony and commented on the significance of the charter and pledge initiative. “We recognise that engineering design incorporates moral and ethical perspectives and that these perspectives are critical to guide our choices as engineers,” she said. “This is why we have supported our students to develop this charter and undertake this important pledge ceremony. I am very proud of our students for taking on the responsibility to develop their own ethical principles inspired by their own values, in line with the Engineers Australia code of ethics.”

CEO of Engineers Australia Bronwyn Evans AO also addressed the students and affirmed their commitment to ethical practice. “I’m really impressed that commitment to respect, embracing difference, learning, curiosity and communicating clearly is included in your charter,” she said. “I commend the pledge you’re taking today.”

Engineering student Clinton, one of the first-year student leaders responsible for designing the charter, said that the process was challenging, interesting and inspiring. “We had to ensure the key principles were properly established and reflected, and also ensure the pledge mirrored and portrayed the common values of our first-year students and Engineers Australia,” he said. “A lot of planning, brainstorming, debates and discussions took place and we hope that everyone is proud of what we’ve developed.”

The Charter incorporates four key pillars - sustainability, inclusivity and diversity, integrity and growth - into an overall theme of “A better tomorrow”, and guides students to act to meet the needs of the present, while simultaneously ensuring a better future for generations to come.

The pledge:

I will engage in work that protects the health of the environment for current and future generations.

I will be transparent about the nature of my work that I am conducting with the community and I will respond to any issues and concerns that may arise.
To the best of my ability, I will remove any environmentally or socially harmful technologies and replace them with those that will help both the environment and community recover.

I will prioritise sustainable engineering methods, proceeding with practises that I am certain will not compromise the health of the environment or the wellbeing of the community.

In all I do, I will incorporate the traditional owners of the land into the design process, to ensure that their cultural heritage is respected and not infringed upon.

I will always treat others with courtesy and respect and without prejudice or discrimination in all environments.

I will not allow biases based on age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, to influence my duties and responsibilities as an engineer.

I will respect the diversity of others and recognise the value that everyone brings.

I will encourage and support the promotion of marginalised groups in my workplace to ensure that all groups have an equitable say.

I will act with due diligence before proceeding with the implementation of a design, ensuring I am well-informed of the contexts of my practice in which the project is situated.

I will strive to achieve excellence in the work that I do, holding myself and my colleagues accountable for our actions and behaviours.

I will maintain a professional approach even when conflicts arise, and will work with conflicting parties to come to a resolution.

I will create an accommodating, accepting and cooperative environment, where my colleagues feel comfortable discussing their wellbeing and mental health.

I will provide and act on constructive feedback and use it to pursue innovation and creativity on future engineering projects.

What does the Student Charter mean to students?

“The Student Charter is important to me as it shows a commitment by engineers to fix the world’s problems, not just the business they work for”  - Monash Brewlab

“It allows me to consolidate my reason for studying engineering and will ensure that my work reflects the ethical values that drew me to learn and create” - Monash Uncrewed Aerial Systems

“The Student Charter is important because it is a way for us, as students, to show that we are committed to behaving in an ethical manner. This allows us to learn in a safe space. For me, it shows that we all agree to act in an ethical and appropriate way” - Monash Fuel From Waste

“The Student Charter is a summation of our role and purpose as engineers; to confront the challenges of the world and leave it better than how we found it.” - MC3, Monash Human Power

“The Student Charter signifies our pride to be engineers, and unites us under a common set of values.” - Monash High Powered Rocketry and Monash Nova Rover

“I believe that the Student Charter allows us to reflect upon and internalise the values which we will carry with us throughout our engineering journey.” - Monash Motorsport and Robogals

“The Student Charter is important because it ensures that we will use our education for the betterment of other people, not just ourselves.” - Monash Young Medtech Innovators and Monash Solar Decathlon Team

“The Student Charter is important because it holds students accountable to all actions in their future engineering careers, ensuring that what we are doing is beneficial to the greater community; not just ourselves.”  - Monash Solar Water Team

“The Student Charter is here to speak up for everyone, and it represents the voice of the students.” - Precious Plastic Monash