Dr. Steve Mackay is the founder of the Engineering Institute of Technology. He firmly believes in Nelson Mandela’s mantra that, “Education is the most powerful weapon which we can use to change the world.” His leadership has inspired EIT’s unique and distinctive approach to engineering education.

Since 2008 three core objectives define the essence of the institute:

Collaborating comprehensively with industry to ensure graduates are job-ready.
Employing platforms of learning to facilitate student accessibility and engagement.
Keeping the business of education student-centric.

Dr. Mackay has enjoyed a varied career in engineering, having worked in automation, data acquisition, instrumentation, data communications, and process control throughout Australia, Europe, Africa, and North America over the past 35 years. He has successfully pioneered the application of new technologies in Australia and overseas, installing industrial data communication systems and implementing live online education, (including remote laboratories), for engineering students worldwide. Dr. Mackay has been involved in a range of industries, including power stations, mining, mineral processing, oil/gas/petrochemical plants, and platforms. He has presented courses on industrial data communications, data acquisition, instrumentation, and process control to over 30,000 engineers and technicians worldwide for clients such as NASA, Rolls Royce, and BP. He has also co-authored and edited 25 engineering books that have been published across the world. Dr. Mackay is a Fellow of Engineers Australia with a license to practice as a Chemical, Mechanical, and Electrical Chartered Professional Engineer. As Dean of the Engineering Institute of Technology, Dr. Mackay leads the institute in providing microcredentials and engineering qualifications to over 2000 students per year from 140 countries. He has an unswerving focus on student outcomes and on excellence in education.

As Engineering Professionals Should We Be Paid More?

July 7, 2015 3:42 pm
I noticed this morning an announcement from some senior government bureaucrat saying that (young) engineers should be paid more - the same as merchant bankers receive, she reckoned. I agree. Dear Colleagues, I noticed this morning an announcement from some senior government bureaucrat saying that (young) engineers should be paid...Read More

Apply your Drone to your next Engineering Project

June 30, 2015 3:44 pm
In the past two years, there has been a huge jump in the use of drones or UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) throughout the world. Have you thought what you could do with one of these to enhance your next engineering project? Dear Colleagues, In the past two years, there has...Read More

How to Transmit Power Wirelessly – but is this a good thing?

June 23, 2015 3:45 pm
The Art of Support: EIT’s Learning Support Officers InformationCategory Education10 September 2020Written by: Quintus Potgieter The Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) is a unique global institute, delivering online engineering short courses, diplomas, and degrees. Students around the world log into EIT’s synchronous online virtual campus to network with other... Read...Read More

Troubleshooting SCADA Systems

June 16, 2015 3:49 pm
You may argue that it is impossible to give a few casual tips on troubleshooting SCADA systems as the field is vast. And you’re quite right on this score. Dear colleagues, You may argue that it is impossible to give a few casual tips on troubleshooting SCADA systems as the...Read More

A (Very Short) Primer on Intrinsic Safety

June 9, 2015 8:51 am
An intrinsically safe circuit is “A circuit in which no spark or thermal effect in any part of the circuit intended for use in a hazardous area is capable of causing ignition.”   Dear colleagues, An intrinsically safe circuit is “A circuit in which no spark or thermal effect in...Read More

Diesel Generators Are Sturdy Workhorses

June 2, 2015 9:17 am
The Art of Support: EIT’s Learning Support Officers InformationCategory Education10 September 2020Written by: Quintus Potgieter The Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) is a unique global institute, delivering online engineering short courses, diplomas, and degrees. Students around the world log into EIT’s synchronous online virtual campus to network with other... Read...Read More

Testing and Maintenance of Electrical Equipment

May 26, 2015 9:20 am
The Art of Support: EIT’s Learning Support Officers InformationCategory Education10 September 2020Written by: Quintus Potgieter The Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) is a unique global institute, delivering online engineering short courses, diplomas, and degrees. Students around the world log into EIT’s synchronous online virtual campus to network with other... Read...Read More

The Well Worn but Critical Topic of Electrical Safety

May 19, 2015 9:23 am
I am always staggered by the ongoing high number of serious electrical accidents and even fatalities every year in industry – ranging from electrocution, shock, explosions and arc blast. Dear Colleagues, I am always staggered by the ongoing high number of serious electrical accidents and even fatalities every year in...Read More

How to Prevent Your Pump Cavitating

May 12, 2015 9:25 am
The Art of Support: EIT’s Learning Support Officers InformationCategory Education10 September 2020Written by: Quintus Potgieter The Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) is a unique global institute, delivering online engineering short courses, diplomas, and degrees. Students around the world log into EIT’s synchronous online virtual campus to network with other... Read...Read More

Lightning and Surge Protection

May 5, 2015 9:29 am
The Art of Support: EIT’s Learning Support Officers InformationCategory Education10 September 2020Written by: Quintus Potgieter The Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) is a unique global institute, delivering online engineering short courses, diplomas, and degrees. Students around the world log into EIT’s synchronous online virtual campus to network with other... Read...Read More

Fixed Price versus Time and Materials contracts

April 28, 2015 9:31 am
The Art of Support: EIT’s Learning Support Officers InformationCategory Education10 September 2020Written by: Quintus Potgieter The Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) is a unique global institute, delivering online engineering short courses, diplomas, and degrees. Students around the world log into EIT’s synchronous online virtual campus to network with other... Read...Read More

Top 10 Tips for Education On-the-Go

April 23, 2015 12:23 pm
Descriptors for busy lives tend to suggest a sense of drowning; being ‘snowed under’ or ‘swamped’. The more positive expression of ‘having a full plate’, somehow struggles to adequately portray the complexity of modern living. If it weren’t for the persistent need to professionally develop or bolster existing skills at...Read More

A 2 Minute Primer on Sound, Audio and Noise Engineering

April 23, 2015 9:51 am
Is there nothing more irritating than the strident noise of lawnmowers or mulching machines with their staccato crackling sound on a quiet Saturday afternoon? Dear Colleagues, Is there nothing more irritating than the strident noise of lawnmowers or mulching machines with their staccato crackling sound on a quiet Saturday afternoon?...Read More

Do You Really Understand Ohm’s Law? A Simple Question

April 21, 2015 9:48 am
The Art of Support: EIT’s Learning Support Officers InformationCategory Education10 September 2020Written by: Quintus Potgieter The Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) is a unique global institute, delivering online engineering short courses, diplomas, and degrees. Students around the world log into EIT’s synchronous online virtual campus to network with other... Read...Read More

How You Can Become a Great Writer

April 14, 2015 9:50 am
The Art of Support: EIT’s Learning Support Officers InformationCategory Education10 September 2020Written by: Quintus Potgieter The Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) is a unique global institute, delivering online engineering short courses, diplomas, and degrees. Students around the world log into EIT’s synchronous online virtual campus to network with other... Read...Read More

How to Improve Your Engineering Resume

March 31, 2015 9:54 am
The Art of Support: EIT’s Learning Support Officers InformationCategory Education10 September 2020Written by: Quintus Potgieter The Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) is a unique global institute, delivering online engineering short courses, diplomas, and degrees. Students around the world log into EIT’s synchronous online virtual campus to network with other... Read...Read More

Maintain a High Level of Engineering Quality

March 24, 2015 9:57 am
The Art of Support: EIT’s Learning Support Officers InformationCategory Education10 September 2020Written by: Quintus Potgieter The Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) is a unique global institute, delivering online engineering short courses, diplomas, and degrees. Students around the world log into EIT’s synchronous online virtual campus to network with other... Read...Read More

Stay Ethical No Matter What Happens

March 17, 2015 9:58 am
The Art of Support: EIT’s Learning Support Officers InformationCategory Education10 September 2020Written by: Quintus Potgieter The Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) is a unique global institute, delivering online engineering short courses, diplomas, and degrees. Students around the world log into EIT’s synchronous online virtual campus to network with other... Read...Read More

Avoid Damaging Your Engineering Career

March 10, 2015 10:00 am
It is often considered risky practice in advertising to say something with a negative message; but hopefully you will see the importance of avoiding these damaging items (as listed below) in your engineering career. Dear Colleagues, It is often considered risky practice in advertising to say something with a negative...Read More

As Engineering Professionals Sell Yourselves Vigorously

March 3, 2015 10:02 am
I have always maintained that we don’t sell ourselves enough. And let’s face it; selling yourself isn’t about simply flogging a product or service or trying to schmooze yourself on a disbelieving recipient. Dear Colleagues, I have always maintained that we don’t sell ourselves enough. And let’s face it; selling...Read More

Make Informal Training Your most Powerful Form of Engineering education

February 24, 2015 10:03 am
The Art of Support: EIT’s Learning Support Officers InformationCategory Education10 September 2020Written by: Quintus Potgieter The Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) is a unique global institute, delivering online engineering short courses, diplomas, and degrees. Students around the world log into EIT’s synchronous online virtual campus to network with other... Read...Read More

How to Handle Engineering Team Conflict

February 17, 2015 10:07 am
The Art of Support: EIT’s Learning Support Officers InformationCategory Education10 September 2020Written by: Quintus Potgieter The Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) is a unique global institute, delivering online engineering short courses, diplomas, and degrees. Students around the world log into EIT’s synchronous online virtual campus to network with other... Read...Read More

Vocational Training – it is time to rethink

February 3, 2015 12:44 pm
Would-be students; graduating from school or requiring further education down the track, have commonly approached government-run vocational colleges for training solutions. A variety of reasons account for this. Traditionally government grants have been available and tuition costs heavily subsidised. There are also a large number of sizeable campuses and due...Read More

Basic Skills for Engineering Professionals

February 3, 2015 10:24 am
One of the best investments I ever made in my basic skills was learning to touch type thirty years ago (yes - on a typewriter). A mere 20 hours investment, has been worth tens of thousands  in terms of a real payback. There are many other basic skills which we...Read More

Simple ways to motivate employees

February 2, 2015 3:25 pm
Courtesy of Jarie Bolander Something almost every manager struggles with at some point in their career is motivating those they’re leading.  Everyone needs to be motivated.  Sometimes it’s encouraging a less engaged team member to be more engaged. Other times it is making sure your all-star performer doesn’t become complacent....Read More

How to work with software engineers

February 2, 2015 3:21 pm
Courtesy of Ken Norton I’ve worked in technology for twenty years, the past thirteen as a product manager. I’ve gained somewhat of a reputation for being effective at working with software engineers. This skill has earned me a place in history as one of the three greatest product managers of...Read More

When individuals care about careers

February 2, 2015 3:10 pm
Courtesy Mityunjay Kumar In my last post on when organizations care about careers, I talked about various things an organization can do in order to utilize their employees effectively and in the process, help employees realize their career goals. However, not all companies care about careers, and when they don’t,...Read More

Tips for enhancing your body language in video meetings

February 2, 2015 2:43 pm
Courtesy Gemma Falconer In today’s businesses, there are many types of methods of communication: email, telephone, in-person meetings and so on. Videoconferencing is becoming a more common way to communicate between clients, employees and companies – not just to save on travel costs, but to liaise with remote workers or...Read More

How To Be a Successful Software Engineer

February 2, 2015 2:29 pm
The Art of Support: EIT’s Learning Support Officers InformationCategory Education10 September 2020Written by: Quintus Potgieter The Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) is a unique global institute, delivering online engineering short courses, diplomas, and degrees. Students around the world log into EIT’s synchronous online virtual campus to network with other... Read...Read More

Characteristics of High-performance Teams

February 2, 2015 2:23 pm
Courtesy Mityunjay Kumar In this post, I would like to discuss about characteristics of high-performance teams as defined in The Wisdom of Teams. For more detailed review of the book that I wrote sometime back, see here: Part-I, Part-II and Part-III. The book defines a team as follows (my formatting)...Read More