Engineers Without Borders (New Zealand)

Engineers Without Borders New Zealand (EWBNZ) is a non-governmental organisation based in New Zealand which supplies aid to community projects in the form of engineering technical services. It incorporates two engineering student chapters (from the University of Canterbury and the University of Auckland) as well as a chapter of professional engineers based in Auckland.[1]

Mission and vision

EWBNZ’s mission is "Empowering those in need through the provision of engineering assistance"

The EWBNZ Vision is as follows “In a world characterized by inequality and global poverty, engineers have a central role to play in community infrastructure development. Engineers Without Borders New Zealand (EWBNZ) envisions a world where all individuals can meet their self identified human needs and lead lives of opportunity and dignity. Through the implementation of sustainable projects, fostering local awareness, and education, EWBNZ aims to improve the lives of those in need, and create a society of engineers - and New Zealanders - conscious of global issues and ready to take action to effect positive change”

History

The organisation was founded in early 2008 from the merging of several student groups based at the University of Auckland and the University of Cantebury with similar goals of community development . The foundations of EWBNZ were laid in 2006 when a group of eight engineering students called PULSE, led by student Holly Corbett and engineer Craig Omundsen, undertook a water scheme design for World Vision in Vanuatu. The PULSE [2] group then completed an assessment programme of village-managed water schemes in Samoa in 2007. These trips inspired another group to form in 2007 called CREW ,[3] led by student Haydn Luckman. Their work in Samoa included collaboration with the local community to install water tanks, and design and construct a new wharf. These two groups, based in Auckland, merged along with a group from the University of Canterbury, led by student Sofian Irsheid, to come under the name "Engineers Without Borders New Zealand" (EWBNZ). "Engineers Without Borders" is a well recognised name that has been adopted by similar organisations in Australia (Engineers without Borders Australia), Canada (Engineers Without Borders Canada) and worldwide.

EWB NZ works to achieve its mission using a three pronged approach:

1.Projects - coordinating student and professional skills in the implementation of environmentally, culturally and economically sustainable projects.

2.Awareness - raising awareness about global development issues and the roles and responsibilities of engineers.

3.Education – encouraging far-reaching education on topics related to sustainable development, appropriate technology and poverty alleviation.

EWBNZ is an incorporated society and is a registered charitable trust. It has been granted provisional registration by NZAid to its KOHA-PICD funding scheme [4]

EWBNZ National

EWB NZ National is the national component of EWBNZ, overseeing the overall management and promotion of the organisation nationwide. EWBNZ National is responsible for overall management of the EWBNZ’s finances, external relations, IT and overall programmes. It works to provide a framework for regional chapters to operate within.

Chapters

Auckland University Chapter (EWBNZ Auckland)

The EWBNZ University of Auckland chapter works to achieve the EWB Mission with a combination of projects [5] and awareness programmes. Since the beginning of 2008, they have engaged in projects in Tonga [6] and Vanuatu .[7]

University of Canterbury Chapter

The University of Canterbury chapter was established in 2008, and is based at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch.

Professional Chapter (EWBNZ Professionals)

The professional chapter was established in late 2008 with a core working group organising a committee and formulating the chapter goals. The chapter was formally launched on 11 March 2009. It is different from the university chapters in that its base is professionals (mainly practicing engineers), who range from graduates to chartered professional engineers with several years of experience. With this broad range of expertise the chapter is able to apply its members to a wide range of engineering work.

EWB in Schools

The EWB in Schools programme works to educate school students on issues facing humanity and also develop and interest in engineering and sustainable development

EWB Design Challenge

The EWB NZ Design Challenge is a competition started by EWB NZ in 2008 at the University of Auckland, focusing on fostering an appreciation of real problems faced by communities in the developing world and developing ingenious solutions to address these. It was run as a part of the first year Engineering Design paper at the University of Auckland School of Engineering and involved all first year students. In 2009, it will be run in conjunction with EWB Australia's Design Challenge, and will be available to students from the University of Canterbury and the Auckland University of Technology as well. The challenge will focus on the Tonle Sap in Cambodia and is organised by [EWB Australia].

See also

References

  1. ↑ Engineers Without Borders NZ
  2. ↑ World Vision article about the first Pulse project on Tanna Island
  3. ↑ Radio New Zealand article on CREW, 16 September 2007
  4. ↑ NZ Aid PMC Update 2008
  5. ↑ Article on Scoop.co.nz on the Tonga Biogas Digester Project - 17 March 2009
  6. ↑ Engineers Without Borders assist Tonga with biogas solution, 3 April 2009
  7. ↑ Engineering students design infrastructure in Vanuatu, 27 June 2008

External links

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