Civil Engineering Report: Personal Background, Ethics, and Leadership

This report, authored by a civil engineering student at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), provides a comprehensive overview of the author's personal background, motivations for pursuing civil engineering, and key influences on their career choice. The report delves into critical incidents and reactions related to engineering ethics, emphasizing the importance of integrity, impartiality, and adherence to ethical codes in the construction industry. It also outlines plans for future improvements in ethical conduct. Furthermore, the report explores the significance of leadership and teamwork in engineering projects, detailing experiences from internships and academic settings. It highlights the development of communication and interpersonal skills, essential for effective teamwork and leadership. The author emphasizes the importance of reacting appropriately to workplace challenges and maintaining confidentiality. The report concludes with a focus on health and safety and sustainability within the workplace, reflecting a commitment to ethical practice and responsible engineering.

1. Landing Page
1.1 Personal Background
My name is Hoang KhanhNguy and I am currently a final year student doing Civil
Engineering at University of Technology, Sydney (UTS). UTS is one of the most famous
universities that expertise in engineering in Sydney and that is the reason that I chose UTS for
my engineering course. Moreover, having many relatives who have been living in Australia
for a long time is an advantage for me in term of transition and adaptation to Australia. In
September 2012, I started my studying in Australia with a 3-month English course in UTS:
Insearch and then graduating my foundation course by the end of the year 2013 with an
overall score of 8.6/10. In 2014, I continued my studying with a 4-year of Civil Engineering
course at UTS and expect to graduate in Autumn 2018.
1.2 My motivation to become an engineer
The main reason I chose to study engineering is due to the fact that I do not afraid of
numbers. Having a strong background in mathematics, physics and chemistry from high
school in Vietnam give me even more motivation to become an engineer in the future. In
addition, my uncle was also a huge influence on my interest in engineering. He is a
mechanical - electrical engineer who can fix everything that is gone wrong surrounding him.
He is also an owner of a small mechanic shop, where he provides cars and trucks service to
customers. However, my dream is more than a mechanical or electrical engineer. I prefer to
build things rather than fix things. That why civil engineering is my choice.
1.3 Key Influence on Career Choice
The career of civil engineering has a history of having bright prospect for all potential
candidates. The demand of the construction industry is always likely to be high due to the
fact that most of the construction works are dependent upon the civil engineers. There are
also no major risks of losing the jobs as most of the Australian construction firm offer long
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term job security to the employees. There is also the chance that with high level of job
experience, it is possible for me to initiate my own business of Construction Company.
Hence, it is possible for me to establish myself as a successful entrepreneur.
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 Ethics
Critical Incidents
As an engineering practitioner, it is important for me to deal with the code of ethics
that we use in order to improve upon the skills and id able to work for the betterment
of the society. In my education degree program I have been able to witness the critical
incidents related to the engineering ethics. It is also the duty of the civil engineers to
serve the society and safeguard the interest and keep them ahead of their personal
needs. By following the code of the construction ethics, it is possible for the engineers
to follow a definite framework. According to the engineering ethical codes that are
generated by the Australian government, the primary parameter is to demonstrate
integrity within the workplace. This means that I have to act on the basis of the well
informed conscience. I will have to use my own thinking skills to discern the matters,
which are correct depending upon the situation within every construction work. I also
have to maintain impartiality while dealing with all types of situation that is necessary
to deal with all types of legal matters. While dealing with construction dealers, it is
necessary to deal with most of the important challenges related to the legal contracts. I
will follow strict guidelines that are the part of the legal contracts that are needed to
deal with most of the important matters related to the construction work.
Reactions
It is essential for me to react by following the guidelines of engineering ethics
In this context, I will have to maintain full level of honesty and also have to
understand the critics that are needed to deal with all types of engineering
construction work. Every time within the workplace, I will have to support myself by
providing proper justification that is necessary in every part of my work. There will
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be time, when I may have to face high level of conflicts within the workplace. This
may happen due to the fact that my colleagues may not accept the plan that I had
prepared about any construction work. It is my duty to work in collaboration with all
my colleagues in order to improve the level of working capability and also respect the
opinions about the colleagues. One of the important parts of the engineering duty is to
maintain confidentiality about various matters. This is essential in respect of the fact
that most of the construction companies like to maintain confidentiality while making
the blue print of the construction work.
There are various challenges and changes that are a part and parcel of the construction
work, which is necessary as part of the working criteria that are provided by the
workers. I will regularly seek the help of the peer review that can help me to improve
upon my skills. I can also achieve this purpose by supporting the on-going
development process.
Future Improvements
As a responsible engineer, it is one of duty to ensure that I have the scope for the
future improvement that will help me to follow the ethical concerns and codes for the
engineers. During the time of recruitment, I will only provide genuine documents
related to my education degree and all other internship’s program that has helped me
to develop upon my experience related to the civil engineering. This will help to
maintain my reputation as skilful civil engineers, which is necessary for me to have
high level of working capability. I will also have to maintain high level of honesty in
the process of communication that is needed to deal with the challenge of
coordination with the workplace and minimize the risks of conflicts.
In the subsequent steps I will have to promote sustainability, which is necessary as a
part of the fulfilling the needs of the stakeholders of the construction work. I will also
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provide enough concerns related to the sensitive matters related to the issues within
the workplace that have the chance of compromising the quality of the work. I would
have to take pledge to promote the involvement of the stakeholders. This can help
them to take part in the decision making process, which is needed to deal with most of
the challenges related to the conflicts among the stakeholders.
Reacting to every on unethical condition will be one of my primary duties as a
responsible engineer which will help to ensure that there are no unfair practices
implemented.
Health and safety is also one of the important parts of the ethical codes of the
engineering works. I will have strict level of commitment that can help me to
maintain safety level of environment within the workplace. This can minimize the
risks that are generally associated with all types of engineering works. Proper safety
training will also be provided to the workers, which will help me to ensure all the
labours of construction work are able to deliver the best level of performance in the
construction sites. The health and safety is also necessary to maintain sustainability
within the workplace. It is also essential to maintain high level of sustainability within
the workplace that is necessary to maintain economic development rate. I will thereby
have the commitment to maintain better workforce environment within the workplace
that is one of the major criteria of developing sustainability within the workforce. It is
also one of my duties that are needed to promote sustainability with the work
environment that is needed for the future generation.
 Leadership & Teamwork
Critical Incidents
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As an Engineering student, I have been able to witness various incidents that have
provided me prior experience to the importance of leadership and teamwork in the
construction project works. As a part of the engineering team, it is my duty to have
effective team working ability. From the internship programs, I have been able to gain
high level of experience that is needed to work as a team members of the construction
work. The three months of interest that I have completed in TTM Australia Post
Tensioning have held me to understand the importance of working as a team within
all types of construction projects. In the internship program, I have able to gain
knowledge related to quality assessment and quantitative calculation. As I provided
assistance to the site inspector, I have been able to gain vital experience related to
detecting the quality of materials. This is an important part of the job that I have
learnt. While assisting the project engineer in the construction site, I have understood
about the fact related to teamwork. The engineer and supervisors who were present at
the sides of construction have given valuable advice related to increasing my
efficiency as a team member.
The leadership and teamwork capability was a major part of my training program,
which is mainly based upon theoretical programs. I have been able to gain vital
knowledge Related to define types of leadership that are being implemented in current
days in all type of project works. This was initiated during the time I was studying
Civil Engineering at University of Technology, Sydney.
Leadership skills are essential during the time of crisis in Engineering Management
projects. This is particularly necessary during the time of conflict resolve and
Searching out for nursery solutions depending upon any situation.
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Reactions
As a responsible engineer, it is my duty to have the skills of Management that is
necessary to deal with the challenges in the workplace. I have able to develop
communication skills, which is necessary as a part of team working capability in
construction projects. It is important to mention that communication skills among the
workers of a team are essential to have high level of coordination. This can be
achieved with the help of regular team meetings. I also strongly believe that my team
working ability and communication skills can help me to enhance my leadership
skills. The effective methods that are used in the classroom of engineering degree
course have helped me to develop up on the team working skills and also have the
ability to guide the team members for successful completion of a project.
In my internship program, I have been able to get special classes, where the
supervisors have given me training related to improving my communication skills.
There have been several types of interdisciplinary program which are highly essential
in the context of developing dynamic role of a leader. With the ability to develop the
power of communication, it is possible to deal with all kinds of challenges that exist
within the working environment. The main development of the team working skills
was initiated during the time of the degree course. Being a part of a reputed
engineering college in Sydney, it has helped me to gain vital knowledge related to the
importance of communication and leadership skills, which is regarded as the basics of
developing team working ability. The psychological development is a special part that
is needed to be developed or all engineering candidates as a part of their
communication skill development. This can ultimately help in the process of dealing
with the challenge related to the team work.
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I have also been able to gain interpersonal skills, which is another necessary element
of developing teamwork and leadership within an engineering project. It is necessary
to deal with the challenge of development that is needed as part of the engineering
project.
It is important to react According to every situations of the engineering work, will
help in the cases related to Improving upon my leadership and team working skills.
It is often said that the capability of an engineer is often evaluated by their ability to
communicate with team members. There are many cases, where there could be the
chance of development of conflicts between the engineering workers. Nevertheless,
this conflict can compromise upon the working performance of the overall team. It is
possible for me to deal in this type of scenario that arises due to the facts related to
conflict within the workplace.
The leadership skill is also one of the important parts of engineering careers. As I
have to deal with various Complex project in construction work, leadership is
essential in the context that it can help me to control the workers of the construction
work. Hence, it is possible for me to control all type of workout at different levels in
the engineering team. I will be also able to control the voluntary services that are
provided by various workers. The problem solving ability and the project site can be
gained with the help of effective leadership skills. Critical analysis of every situation
can help me to drive out the best possible solutions. This skill can be developed with
the help of various leadership qualities. Leadership at various positions will help to
deal with expressing out my opinion. I can build upon my reputation with the help of
effective leadership skills and ensure that all the workers and colleagues provide me
with respect in the workplace.
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Future Improvements
I have to keep on developing upon my leadership and team working skills which is
highly necessary in context of improving my future in this sector. With effective
leadership skill, I will be able to build the team of the construction project. It is
essential in context of dealing with Complex level of project management to have
separate team to control is department of the project. As a team leader, it will be my
duty to ensure that there is proper coordination between the workers of the team and
also they are able to develop effective communication among themselves. I can
promote the organization with the help of my leadership skills and attract investors
and stakeholders.
The motivational power will help me in the future to influence others help the inexperienced
team members of the project work to develop upon their interpersonal skills. It is also
essential for a team leader to have an effective motivational power, which will help the
workers to deal with all the major challenges in the workplace. I have taken special training
in my internship degree program about the theory applied by leaders that are aimed to
develop the motivational level among the workers. Hence, it is possible for them to deal with
all the major challenges in the workforce. Currently I do not have major experience in the
leadership department. However, with given time and experience it is possible for me to
develop the skills related to the leadership that can help me in the later part of my career. I
also have the habit to read self-help books help that have helped to develop upon my
knowledge related to team working skills and leadership quality.
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Sustainability
Critical Incidents
Sustainability for civil engineers can be defined as a set of economic, environmental
and social conditions that is used to deal with most of the challenges in the field of
engineering. Sustainable development is one of the key processes that help to ensure
that there is no misuse of the resources related to Engineering projects. Sustainable
development process helps to ensure that safety is maintained in all type of Civil
Engineering projects. It is my duty as a civil engineer to strictly follow the guidelines
of sustainable development which I have learnt as a part of my degree course and
internship programs. It is my duty as an engineering student to follow the guidelines
of sustainability related to all Civil Engineering projects. With the help of my skills it
is possible for me to properly evaluate the economic cost and resources that are
required for all types of projects. I must also estimate the social effects that are caused
due to the engineering.
I have witnessed several incidents in the engineering work, where the supervisors are
dealing with crisis of sustainability which is one of the primary requirements for
fulfilling the criteria of environmental concerns.
It is relevant to say in this context that in most of the cases, all natural resources are
mis-utilised due to the fact that there is lack of awareness among the construction.
The materials that are required for engineering project can also cause harm to the
local environment. It is important to assess the condition of the local environment in
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order to minimise the damage that are caused due to hazardous products used for
construction work.
Reactions
As a responsible engineer, it is my duty to follow the rules of sustainability and react
accordingly that will help in the path of sustainable development construction work.
This is highly necessary in the context that Sustainability is the key for progress in the
modern day, where there is crisis of natural resources.
I will work as a community leader to ensure that all the stakeholders are able to
understand the importance of the protecting the natural environment. It is the duty of
most of the workers of the engineering projects to understand the importance of
sustainable development. I have to consider both types of work that is needed to deal
with the sustainability of the work. This includes both structural and non-structural
work of the engineering projects. This can help to derive with the solutions that are
related to the work of sustainability. It is also my duty to deal with the activeness of
the stakeholders that can help to deal with most of the demand of the stakeholders and
secure their requirements. This is one of the most important parts of the suitability of
the engineering projects. The design of the engineering work is one of the most
important parts of the sustainability. I will use my effective designing skills that are
needed to deal with the sustainability. The latest designs that are needed to deal with
the engineering works and also the challenges related to the work. I have the ability to
use my skills that are related to the latest forms of design related to the engineering
projects.
Future Improvements
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Sustainability plan is one of the important aspects of engineering projects which needs
to be considered during the initial planning process. I have developed the skills in
order to ensure full level of sustainability that is needed to deal with sustainable
management. Holistic development process is necessary in order to deal with
sustainability of construction work. I have been able to develop my skills related to
Green project work, which was a part of my internship program. There are also fixed
guideline implemented by the Australian government in order to ensure sustainability
in all Civil Engineering projects. The guideline was a part of my education program,
and hence I was able to understand its implication. I have gained the knowledge
related to the application of performance life cycle assessment that is needed to plan
program for reuse. Rigorous cycles and Methodologies are used in order to ensure the
environment is being protected. The social effects are also considered as an important
part of sustainability management in Civil Engineering projects. I have taken special
classes to understand the importance of sustainability management. One of the
important parts of sustainability management is to deal with effectiveness of the
resources. This can help to ensure that there is no wastage of resources while making
plan of engineering projects. I do strongly believe that it is important for us to
minimise the use of non-renewable resources, which will ensure a better future for the
upcoming generations. There are also certain legal procedures that need to be
followed in order to ensure full sustainability.
As a civil engineer it is also my duty to ensure the feasibility of restoration of
products that are not being utilised and being wasted in the construction work.
Evaluation is an important part of making Engineering projects. I also believe that
plan or Resiliency is an important part of engineering projects. In many cases it has
been seen that manmade disasters are an integral part of Engineering Works and it is
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essential to minimise this risk in order to maintain sustainability. I have also
understood the importance of validating applications related to the principles of
Engineering. It will be my duty to guide all the workers in the construction work of
project development in order to ensure that the principles of sustainability are
maintained in every step. Analysis and metric tools are used in order to ensure the
infrastructures that are applied in the engineering projects are totally sustainable.
The principles of sustainability will ensure that all the developmental process is
maintained in order to deal with the issues of lack of resources and environmental
concerns. I will have to raise the level of awareness among the construction workers
about protecting the local environment and ensure that minimal harm is caused. All
the civil engineers have a leading role to play in order to ensure the sustainability and
follow the rationale of the guidelines related to the engineering works. It will be my
duty as a respected civil engineer to have multidisciplinary teams that will include
ecologist, economist, sociologist and all types of community workers, who will help
to deal with the issues related to sustainability in the local environment. With the help
of the interdisciplinary team it is possible for me to work as a responsible engineer in
order to maintain sustainability and ensure minimum harm is caused to the local
environment.
 Communication
Critical Incidents
In the recent times it has been seen that Engineering projects are more dependent
upon the communication skills of the workers rather than that technical skills. It is
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also important to mention in the context that there is a strong demand currently among
the engineer about improving their communication skills, which is one of the essential
parts of engineering projects. As a part of my graduate program in engineering, I have
been able to develop upon my communication skills. As I have taken the internship
program, I have been able to understand the importance of effective communication
in the engineering project.
In every situation that I have encountered during the time of my internship and
University degree program, I have been able to communicate with my team members
in order to resolve issues related to conflict.
It is also important to mention that as I have worked in the post of food and beverage
attendants I have been able to improve upon my communication skills. As a part of
the duty it was essential for me to assist customer and attendants and hence I had to
use effective communication in order to achieve my duty. Hence, it will be possible
for me as an engineer to properly communicate with the stakeholders and clients in
order to ensure all requirements are made in the engineering project. Communication
training program has also been one of the essential parts of the education degree
course and internship. Moreover with the help of internship program I have been able
to participate in official engineering meetings, which have further helped me to
develop upon my communication skills. Effective communication with customers and
clients and project partners is an important parameter to consider in order ensuring
success of the project work. Effective communication skills can help me to provide a
professional edge that is highly essential in the current period besides having
theoretical educational degree.
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There can be serious issues related to communication among the project partners,
which can compromise upon the quality of the work that are provided by the civil
engineers. Transformation of information is essentially done with the help of effective
communication.
Reactions
It is also important to understand the effectiveness of Information and
Communication Technology, which helps in the process of Technical communication
among various workers. With the help of my internship program I have been able to
understand the practical usage of Information and Communication Technology and it
will surely help in the path of success of my engineering career. The implication of
ICT in the past few years have widen the scope of communication among Engineering
projects and in future it is believed to have huge potential that can transform the Civil
Engineering industry. It will be my duty as a successful engineer to enhance my
knowledge about the implications of the technology that are used in modern day
communication process.
Future Improvements
Automatic communication process has been an essential component of engineering
projects. This will help to ensure that most of the engineering works are done
effectively with the help of efficient team coordination. With my effective
communication skills and application of Technology it is possible for me to
implement cost effective plan in every major projects. With the application of ICT, it
is possible for me to ensure that I get all the latest information related to Engineering
Works and apply the same in all planning methods. Issues in the communication
process have the potential to compromise upon the quality of the work provided by
construction workers. At the initial stage it is essential for me to design
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communication technique, which will help to ensure that there are no issues related to
the use of technology in communication process in the middle of a project work.
Communication is essentially important due to the fact that it can help to ease out the
challenges that are involved in the process of complexity in civil engineering work. I
strongly believe in the fact that simplicity can be achieved with the help of
information processing that is done with the help of the latest technology. I will
ensure that maximum amount of simplicity can be achieved in all blueprint of the
construction work, which will help to ensure that most of the work related to
Engineering are being fulfilled. Communication is also an essential part of all the
research programs that I have encountered.
With the help of effective communication process, it is possible for me to deal with all
the changes that are a part of engineering project work. As the demand within the
engineering projects were keep on changing due to the implication of Technology, I
will ensure the fact that all my capabilities and potential will be used efficiently in
order to deal with the challenges of change. The process of organisational change can
be enhanced with the help of improved communication. Add new forms of designs are
being employed in engineering work, it is essential for me to understand its
implication and communicate properly with my colleague and other workers of
construction projects.
It is important for all the construction engineers to get timely proper training during
the time when any new technology of communication is being employed. From my
side, I can guarantee account the fact that it will be my pleasure to take part in the
training programs, which will eventually help on my development and process of
career in civil engineering. The use of technology is effective in the context that it can
help to minimise all the errors that are caused due to human factors. Using of
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Technology in order to interpret the complex data related to Engineering projects can
help to minimise upon the risk and error that are often a part of civil construction
work. I will ensure to the fact that maximum attention are being faced in the
calculation process in order to ensure that there are no risk involved in the process of
communication. Simple language is also used in order to ensure that all types of
workers in construction project unable to understand the context of engineering work.
I have also taken special training during my internship program about the use of
software technology that is an essential part of all types of communication in
engineering work.
 Intercultural and global dimensions
Critical Incidents
Inter cultural aspects are a major part of civil engineering work in the current era of
globalisation. Critical reflection related to the intercultural project is one of the essential
parts of the projects. Internationalisation is an important component of engineering projects
that can help to deal with the challenges related to inter cultural diversity. As an engineering
student I have been able to gain important experience related to diverse culture. Hence, I will
be able to work with the ideas and concepts that is a part of intercultural organisation. As a
part of our education degree program, I have been able to communicate with various people
in different cultural backgrounds. This has helped me to increase the level of cultural
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awareness is a part of effectively conducting engineering project work. This will also help me
to work with diverse people within the workplace and able to enhance my understanding.
High level of intercultural learning can help to understand the importance of diversifying
within the workplace. With the help of diversity it is possible to achieve all major types of
challenges in the workplace and thereby able to establish effective official relationship with
all types of people. Intercultural civil engineering is an essential part in order to deal with the
challenge of globalisation. It is essential in the context of the current days for all engineering
project to work in collaboration among different nations that can help to deal with the
challenge of maintaining sustainability.
Hence, with the help of intercultural communication it is possible to maintain the elements
related to global dimensions. Inter cultural interaction between the engineering students have
been a major part of our degree course in the university. It is my responsibility as an
engineering worker to ensure that there is high level of cultural diversity in the workplace
that can help to improve upon the rate of productivity. Diversity within the workplace of
engineering work will also help to ensure that all type of talent among the workers are being
utilised in successful completion of engineering project.
Reactions
As a part of our internship program, I have been able to take part in various types of
intercultural programs. This is the main source of my cultural diversity knowledge, which has
been an essential part of the civil engineering course. It is also possible to maintain
sustainability within the word with the help of effective intercultural interaction. Major
challenges in the cultural world can also be overcome with the ability of my intercultural
communication skills. It is also important to mention that sustainable development
programme of civil engineering is mainly develop with the help of intercultural
communication, which is an essential part of dimension.
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I am currently very much eager to take part in essential dialogues of intercultural
communication among civil engineers, which is a platform that is needed to share vital
relevant information related to construction work of current days. As we are able to share our
important ideas, idea it is possible to deal with all types of major challenges. Civil
environmental engineering is a special part of our degree program, which has enabled me to
understand the importance of maintaining cultural diversity. It is important to mention in this
context that most of the issues related to the global warming and environmental degradation
that are caused from the civil engineering works are not bound within the boundaries of a
nation. Hence, it is essential with the help of intercultural dialogues to resolve the issues
related to environmental degradation that are caused due to Civil Engineering projects.
Future Improvements
As a responsible civil engineer it is my duty to ensure that high level of intercultural
dialogues are being practiced in all types of Engineering projects, which will help to ensure
that most of the challenges related to environmental degradation are being overcome. I will
also take active participation in order to promote the values of intercultural communication
among engineering project work. This will help to ensure that the engineering team at
different locations of the globe are able to work as an active unit. It is also essential to ensure
that most of the complexities related to intercultural communication on being overcome with
the help of effective training programs given to every worker of civil engineering projects.
Engagement in the process of diversification is essential due to the fact that it can help me to
understand the importance of maintaining balance and coordination among engineering
workers across various parts of the globe.
The intercultural skills and development is it essential for all type of future improvements
that I want to gain as a civil engineer. It is also essential in this context to understand the
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importance of the civil engineering works for all future cases that is done with the help of
intercultural communication.
Furthermore, with the help of Engineering Communication Technology, it is possible for me
to easily improve and promote the level of cultural awareness among various people. I will
also have to understand the importance of every type of intercultural communication tools,
which can be applied in perspective of civil engineering work. I have special interest in
learning and understanding the importance of cultural diversity and also respect the value of
every culture.
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