UA Engineering Students to Host Sustainable Engineering Workshop
The University of Arizona student chapter of Engineers Without Borders will host EWB's 2011 Mountain Region Training Workshop Nov. 11-13 in Tucson, Ariz.
Engineers Without Borders-USA, known as EWB-USA, works with local communities to support sustainable engineering projects that provide roads, clean water, and renewable energy to developing countries.
The UA student chapter, EWB-UA, hopes to attract 150 undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and professionals from many disciplines to Tucson for a weekend of technical and cultural training, hands-on workshops, networking, and inspiration to design and implement their own sustainable engineering projects. The workshop is open to all.
Many projects focus on water resources and related areas in which UA researchers are pre-eminent. Michael Campana, president of the American Water Resources Association and a UA alumnus, will deliver a talk at the workshop titled Rural Groundwater Development and Capacity Building in a Developing Country.
Wendell Ela, a professor in the UA chemical and environmental engineering department, will speak on water quality testing and lead a hands-on workshop.
Other UA faculty, local professionals and experts, and EWB-USA staff will also give presentations, lead hands-on workshops, and facilitate discussions on topics ranging from rainwater harvesting, to sanitation, to concrete construction, to the cultural and ethical considerations for sustainable international development.
In recent years, EWB-UA student members have worked on projects in Mali and Ghana in West Africa to bring clean water to thousands of people in dozens of villages. The UA chapter is also investigating the possibility of doing relief work in Haiti, and setting up water-treatment projects in Bolivia and Mexico.
The UA student chapter was recognized in 2010 when EWB-USA named it a premier chapter for its work building a strong chapter and successfully completing projects.
CDM, the College of Engineering, and Westland Resources are sponsoring the workshop.