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.

A picture is worth a thousand words, provided it\'s the right picture

September 2, 2009 11:30 am
Some really great suggestions from the inimitable Ian McMillan on the 1st September 2009 Driving a good Engineering Presentation, but with or without Graphics? Hi Steve Me and my 2c-worth again.  Good one, I quite agree.  A picture is worth a thousand words, provided it's the right picture. I use...Read More

Driving a good Engineering Presentation, but with or without

August 27, 2009 11:30 am
Dear Colleagues We have all sat through interminably boring power point presentations, often riddled with the poor use of graphics. As engineering professionals we tend to stick to the technical side of things and avoid presentations full stop. However, there are times when they are unavoidable. Here are some really...Read More

Sure – Innovate – but it’s really about your Engineering and Business Networks

August 19, 2009 11:29 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

As an engineering professional, make sure you get paid for your efforts

August 12, 2009 11:28 am
Dear Colleagues We have created a few more short videos (in 5 min segments) and associated book chapters on PLC installation and Programming. It is clear that we are not in a boom time at present. Many of the more entrepreneurial engineers amongst us have either been moved out or...Read More

As an engineering professional is a MBA worth it?

August 6, 2009 11:27 am
Let’s face it; if you haven’t got one; at least one of your colleagues has. As an engineer or technician, is it a worthwhile endeavour? - A year or two involving a potentially jaded professor providing you with potentially questionable concepts? There is no doubt that currently, MBAs have an...Read More

The Seven Habits of very successful engineers and technicians

July 29, 2009 11:23 am
Dear Colleagues Through my observation of engineers and technicians over the past 30 years I have discovered that certain traits or habits make them successful - very successful, in some cases. I believe that we can all become extraordinarily able through the adoption of these practices. Thanks to Buckbee and...Read More

Father and Son Choose High-tech Electrical Engineering Study & Say

July 23, 2009 11:22 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

Engineering for quality not longevity

July 16, 2009 11:21 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

Engineering software and videos

July 10, 2009 11:20 am
Dear Colleagues A brief note today, as I have "crocodiles snapping at me" whilst working with the team here on finalising our accreditation application to present a Masters degree in Industrial Automation.   Engineering software and videos We now have a two short videos (<5 mins) prepared by Terry Cousins...Read More

Engineering out Systematic Errors

July 2, 2009 11:19 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

As engineering professionals, we are surely closer to the driverless car than the paperless toilet

June 24, 2009 11:18 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

Buy or Roll thy own Engineering Software Tools

June 17, 2009 11:16 am
Dear Colleagues I receive comments now and again querying why I spend an hour or two, per week, writing these musings. Well; apart from the PR for our engineering training, they keep me on my toes and interestingly I learn even more on the various topics from your responses. At...Read More

As engineering professionals, do we save enough energy?

June 10, 2009 11:16 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

Engineering the Industrial USB Connection – definitely not plug and pray these days

June 3, 2009 11:14 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

You can Boost your Engineering Creativity by Traveling

May 28, 2009 11:14 am
My dream (well, one of ’em), when I was in my early twenties as a young engineer, was to travel and work extensively throughout the world. However, having done this (and being on an engineering business trip at present), I am a little more circumspect about travel and prefer the...Read More

As Engineering Professionals Beware the Law of Unintended Consequences

May 13, 2009 11:12 am
Dear Colleagues No matter how good a proposed solution seems to be it will have some unintended consequences and as engineering professionals this directly impacts on us. A couple of weeks ago we discussed the great new low energy LED lights. These have been installed as traffic lights in Portland...Read More

Engineers and Techs - Rip up your power cables

May 6, 2009 11:11 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

Let there be (more) Light - the LED knocks out incandescence big time

April 29, 2009 10:28 am
Dear Colleagues Thanks for your comments on my blog, including those chastising me! I try to respond to everyone that mails me and where possible I put your comments up onto the site. Don’t forget another in our series of complimentary 45 min. webinars (no sales spiel) entitled; “Major disasters...Read More

The convergence of engineering & biology is creating an enormous opportunity for you - today

April 22, 2009 10:26 am
Dear Colleagues We have yet another in our series of complimentary 45 min. webinars entitled; “Major disasters in engineering and technical marketing (and how to avoid them)” This one is running on Wed 14th May. At the end of the day, we are all selling something so if you are...Read More

Scavenging for ‘Endless Energy’ – without Batteries

April 12, 2009 10:25 am
Dear Colleagues Don’t forget our Major Disasters in PLC Projects webinar on 21st April – details at the end. 1. Scavenging for Endless Energy – without Batteries After initially being a doubting Thomas, I’ve become quite enthused with the new wireless networked instruments available (whether flow, temperature, pressure based or...Read More

Build your engineering technical reputation especially during these hard times

April 8, 2009 10:25 am
Good morning to you all Three items today. 1. Sarah Montgomery, Our conference manager, has kindly made available some of our papers from our recent SCADA and Industrial Automation conferences. Click here to download these. 2. Don’t forget our Major disasters in PLC projects webinar on 21st April – details at...Read More

Drawing and thinking inside the engineering box

April 1, 2009 10:23 am
Dear Colleagues Two items today. On this April Fool’s day I hope you are enjoying a laugh - with the economic storm clouds gathering we do need to retain a sense of humour. 1. Major disasters in PLC projects (and how to avoid them) In this complimentary 45 minute webinar,...Read More

Go for outstanding engineering designs by suppressing your subconscious

March 23, 2009 10:22 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

Fill your Engineering Gaps

March 19, 2009 10:21 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

Engineering the intelligent building

March 11, 2009 10:20 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

How to do outstanding engineering and technical presentations

March 4, 2009 10:19 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

To get work these days you need some sort of engineering qualification and training

February 26, 2009 10:18 am
Dear Colleagues   The economic stimulus package that president Obama signed into life last week had an interesting side effect. Most of the jobs created (or protected) require some sort of qualification or degree. According to Higher Ed (2/23, Ledeman), “a minimum of 54% of the 3.7 million jobs created...Read More

A sure fire way to electrocution and immediate sacking

February 26, 2009 12:00 am
Dear Colleagues First of all, thanks for the enormous response to common sense tips on safe practice and commissioning. We have been working on putting this into booklet form and will release it in the next few days. It will include a few hundred great suggestions (and unfortunately a few...Read More

Getting back into the engineering game again – welcome home

February 18, 2009 10:17 am
Dear Colleagues Back into the engineering fray or selling a unique engineering skill You may have been out of main stream engineering for some time or you may be eagerly looking to get into some niche area of technology. Or indeed, your company has a new skill set to sell...Read More

Moving into a new engineering job or simply moving from college to work

February 13, 2009 10:16 am
Dear Colleagues Moving into a new engineering job or simply moving from college to work I have noticed that a number of you (perhaps more than usual in the past year of boom and bust) have just started a new job. This can be an enormously painful experience – whether...Read More