Engineering in Twelve (and a Half) Axioms

Professor Elói Figueiredo hosted the webinar “Engineering in Twelve (and a Half) Axioms”. The session, aimed at the academic community, offered a structured and accessible reading of engineering as a scientific, technical, and human discipline, based on axioms that guide practice, decision-making, and professional responsibility.

Throughout the presentation, the lecturer explored concepts such as the importance of understanding beyond knowledge, the need for lifelong learning, and the role of engineering in simplifying complex problems. Central themes were also addressed, including teamwork, multidisciplinarity, risk management, redundancy as a safety strategy, and the relevance of balancing cost, time, safety, and performance in engineering solutions.

Professor Elói Figueiredo further emphasized that engineering is not defined solely by intuition or technology, but by reason, critical analysis, and the responsible use of tools, including computers and artificial intelligence. In this regard, he underlined that engineering should be understood as a human institution, connecting people, organisations, and technical-scientific knowledge in the service of society.

Credits

Guest
Elói Figueiredo – Director of the Civil Engineering Degree

Production
Filipa Cavém

Images
Filipa Cavém, Rui Simões, and Catarina Castanheira

Editing
Rui Simões

News
Filipa Cavém