Model of Integrating Humanitarian Development into Engineering Education
Publication: Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 136, Issue 2
Abstract
Entering the first half of the 21st century, the engineering profession must embrace a new mission statement—to contribute to the building of a more sustainable, stable, and equitable world. In particular, the engineering profession needs to train a new generation of engineers who can better meet the challenges of the developing world and address the needs of the most destitute people on our planet. This paper presents a model of integrating humanitarian development into engineering education based on our experience with Engineers Without Borders-U.S.A. and the development of the Engineering for Developing Communities program at the University of Colorado at Boulder over the past eight years. We also review some like-minded programs in U.S. universities and discuss how such programs can be integrated into engineering education.
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Acknowledgments
The work reported in this paper is the outcome of the dedication of countless volunteers and staff at EWB-USA and faculty members and staff at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The writers are grateful for the financial support provided by various organizations: (1) individual donations to the College of Engineering and Applied Science; (2) programs on the CU-Boulder campus such as the Outreach Committee, the Engineering Excellence Fund, and the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program; (3) the NCIIA; and the M.A. Mortenson Company and family.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 136 • Issue 2 • April 2010
Pages: 84 - 92
Copyright
© 2010 ASCE.
History
Received: Dec 17, 2008
Accepted: May 29, 2009
Published online: Mar 15, 2010
Published in print: Apr 2010
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