Department of Electrical Engineering at Khwopa College of Engineering welcomed Mr. Rajendra Chawal, faculty member from Khwopa College of Law as the guest speaker for a special session titled “From Theology to Technology: Intellectual Currents Behind Europe’s Scientific and Technological Transformation.” The lecture took place on June 13, 2025, in Room G305 of the F&G Block and was organized for fourth-year Electrical Engineering students as part of the Technology, Environment, and Society (TES) course.

Mr. Chawal’s lecture provided students with a sweeping overview of Europe’s intellectual journey, from the medieval dominance of theocracy to the rise of modern science and industry. He began by outlining the session’s objectives: to understand how philosophical shifts shaped technological progress, to explore the transition from religious authority to scientific inquiry, and to encourage engineering students to consider the broader ethical and societal context of their field.

The talk was structured around four key historical periods. First, Mr. Chawal described Medieval Europe (5th–14th centuries), where the Catholic Church controlled intellectual life and scientific inquiry was stifled by religious orthodoxy. He then moved to the Renaissance (14th–17th centuries), highlighting the revival of classical learning, the rise of humanism, and the impact of the printing press in spreading new ideas.

Next, Mr. Chawal discussed the Scientific Revolution (16th–18th centuries), emphasizing the contributions of figures like Galileo, Newton, Copernicus, and Kepler, who pioneered rationalism and empiricism. He explained how this period laid the foundation for the modern scientific method. Finally, he turned to the Enlightenment and the Industrial Era (18th–19th centuries), where the ideals of reason, liberty, and progress inspired technological innovation and social reform.

Throughout the lecture, Mr. Chawal encouraged students to reflect on the influence of philosophical traditions and the importance of intellectual freedom. The session was highly interactive, with students engaging in discussions about the contributions of Middle Eastern Muslim cultures and various philosophical minds.

The event was honored by the presence of College Principal Er. Sunil Duwal, who thanked Mr. Chawal and presented him with a token of appreciation. Principal Duwal emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary learning in developing well-rounded engineers. In closing, Mr. Chawal reminded students that every technological advance is rooted in a history of ideas and social change, inspiring them to approach engineering with both technical skill and thoughtful reflection.