Are we in control? (control engineering in higher education)

The term ´control´ is used in a wide variety of contexts. In the sense that it is used in engineering it usually implies ´feedback control´ and all control systems are judged by some criteria of performance. The criteria of performance of the work in control engineering departments of higher educational establishments are not only its academic interest and value but also the usefulness of the work in applications. By taking examples of work, even in a few departments of control engineering, it is shown that they are certainly in control. If the same question is asked of the Government policy in general, and the policy on higher education in particular, there appears to be a lack of understanding of the basic principles of control and dynamics of large masses, as well as a lack of co-ordination between stated policy objectives and its implementation. This lack of control could have extremely serious implications for the future wellbeing of engineering in the United Kingdom.