Professor Sir William Wakeham, senior vice president of the Royal Academy of Engineering and former head of the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London, said: “I would argue that for too long systems engineering has been somewhat of a Cinderella subject in the curriculum. However, when you look at the current modern role of chemical and process engineers, and their importance to society, it is clear that they are at the heart of many complex and fundamental activities. Chemical engineers are not just specialists, they are agents for change operating across boundaries – technical and organisational – in complex business environments.

“Systems engineering is often seen as peripheral or an add-on to other aspects of an undergraduate programme, but this may be inappropriate if we are to prepare students for a leading role in the complex world of modern engineering. Systems engineering should have an overarching and leading role in chemical engineering teaching today to ensure that chemical engineers fulfil their potential in areas such as energy, water, food and health.”