Engineers are often considered too right-brained even to notice other people, but Prof. Bernard Armadei and the Engineers Without Borders model "engineering with soul."
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) recently awarded Professor Bernard Amadei, of the University of Colorado at Boulder, the 2007 Hoover Medal for his work with students on international community development projects.
Prof. Amadei was honored for founding the humanitarian non-profit Engineers Without Borders (EWB). The group, which Amadei started in 2001, now claims over 230 student and professional chapters--and about 8.000 members--worldwide.
EWB students from universities all over the world travel to remote locations to help provide basics such as clean water, sanitation, housing, food production and electrical power for communties in the developing world, often as part of their required senior projects. Their focus is on sustainable solutions that local citizens can help build, and can maintain once the students are gone. Engineering professionals provide guidance and oversight to the students.
And the students receive more than just a grade in return for their hard work--they also gain practical experience, a global awareness, and the chance to really make a difference in other peoples' lives.
The EWB also provides ways for engineering and non-engineering volunteers and donors to contribute to the lives of others in a significant way.
To make a donation to EWB, visit their donations web page.
