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Libya Elects Engineer To Acting Prime Minister Post

Posted by Unknown on from the libya-to-become-tech-center-of-africa dept.

PolygamousRanchKid writes in with this quote from CNN: "Libya's transitional government picked an engineering professor and longtime exile as its acting prime minister Monday, with the new leader pledging to respect human rights and international law. The National Transitional Council elected Abdurrahim El-Keib, an electrical engineer who has held teaching posts at the University of Alabama and Abu Dhabi's Petroleum Institute, to the post with the support of 26 of the 51 members who voted. ... El-Keib emerged victorious from a field that initially included 10 candidates. ... He is currently listed as 'former faculty' on the website of The Petroleum Institute, which said he served as chairman of its electrical engineering department and lists him as an expert in power system economics, planning and controls." PRK adds: "Has there ever been an engineer in the top spot? ... Is this a good idea? Or are techies doomed in politics?"

3 of 188 comments (clear)

  1. Last premier of China by superwiz · · Score: 5, Informative

    was an electrical engineer (PhD).

    --
    Any guest worker system is indistinguishable from indentured servitude.
  2. I can think of one by Stultsinator · · Score: 5, Informative

    https://engineering.purdue.edu/Engr/AboutUs/News/Announcements/egyptian-prime-minister-earned-two-engineering-degrees-at-purdue

    Go Boilers!

  3. Most common professions for politicians by while(true) · · Score: 5, Informative

    According to this article from The Economist the most common background for politicians word wide is Law (surprise!) and then comes (in order) Business, Diplomacy, Military, Journalism, Economics, Medicine, Academia, and Engineering.

    Almost 20% of the politicians had a Law background while about 7% had an Engineering background.