Engineering

Engineers are the people who research, innovate and create new products, technologies or systems. These innovations can make a difference in our everyday lives.

They help to develop safe vehicles, reduce the effects of pollution on our environment, produce life-saving medical equipment and fight global poverty by creating low-cost building materials. Inventions like the wheel, telephone and Internet have all been engineered.

Information Technology

Information technology (IT) refers to any computer and communication systems that store, protect, process, transmit and retrieve data. IT professionals create and use these systems in a variety of fields.

As a result of the rapid growth in science, researchers are often faced with a growing volume and complexity of work (Box 1.1). This means that they require technology to help them do their work more efficiently, while also being able to access the resources they need wherever they are.

Biotechnology

Biotechnology is the application of biological processes to create new products, methods and organisms. Its basic science is also referred to as molecular biology and genetic engineering.

Agricultural biotechnology uses the techniques of breeding to produce plants that are more durable and tolerant of a variety of conditions, such as weather or pests. It is also used to create breeds of animals that are docile and resistant to disease.