  This paper discusses the importance of reflective and socially conscious
education in engineering schools, particularly within the EE/CS sector. While
most engineering disciplines have historically aligned themselves with the
demands of the technology industry, the lack of critical examination of
industry practices and their impact on justice, equality, and sustainability is
self-evident. Today, the for-profit engineering/technology companies, some of
which are among the largest in the world, also shape the narrative of
engineering education and research in universities. As engineering graduates
form the largest cohorts within STEM disciplines in Western countries, they
become future professionals who will work, lead, or even establish companies in
this industry. Unfortunately, the curriculum within engineering education often
lacks a deep understanding of social realities, an essential component of a
comprehensive university education. Here we establish this unusual connection
with the industry that has driven engineering higher education for several
decades and its obvious negative impacts to society. We analyse this nexus and
highlight the need for engineering schools to hold a more critical viewpoint.
Given the wealth and power of modern technology companies, particularly in the
ICT domain, questioning their techno-solutionism narrative is essential within
the institutes of higher education.
