Signing of the EWB Chapter document for the new chapter of EWB-Wyoming

UW Joins Engineers Without Borders

1/26/06 - A University of Wyoming chapter of Engineers Without Borders will expand students' educational opportunities and experiences to meet the most basic needs of the developing world, says Richard Schmidt, associate dean of the UW College of Engineering.

The UW chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB-WYO) was formally installed during ceremonies Jan. 26 featuring remarks by UW President Tom Buchanan, College of Engineering Dean Gus Plumb, and Bruce D. Grant, vice chairman of the EWB-USA governing board of directors.

EWB-USA is a non-profit humanitarian organization established to partner with developing communities worldwide to improve their quality of life. This partnership involves implementating sustainable engineering projects, while involving and training internationally-responsible engineers and engineering students.

"Participation in EWB-WYO adds a service component to our international engineering program," Schmidt says. "The program we have established in recent years provides opportunities for students to study abroad and to hold internships, working with large and small corporations overseas. Now, we can give our students first-hand experiences and awareness of their opportunities and responsibilities for public service."

He says EWB-USA identifies projects that could include work overseas or even in areas such as the devastated Gulf Coast. At the invitation of the affected communities, students can propose projects to solve problems, and then spend 12-18 months doing design work. Some students then would go to the site to install the projects, often installing systems to get fresh water to communities, or building essential infrastructure components such as pedestrian bridges.

Senior Rob Harder of Laramie, president of the UW International Engineering Club, says that UW's affiliation with EWB-USA will motivate students to consider international experiences while attending UW. He says it provides a tool to develop practical engineering design projects. The opportunity is available to students campus wide.

"Some projects involved students in other disciplines, such as business and journalism," he says. "This will tie engineering and international studies more closely together; I think it will be great for the university as a whole."

The UW chapter's mission is "to partner with disadvantaged communities to improve their quality of life through implementation of environmentally, equitable, and economically sustainable engineering projects, while developing internationally responsible engineers and engineering students."

For more information, visit http://wwweng.uwyo.edu/societies/iec, www.ewb-usa.org, or call the College of Engineering at (307) 766-4253.