Thursday, 7 December 2006
Putting the "Civil" in Civil Engineering
« The Best Laid Plans | Main | A Diverse Profession »Civil engineering students are important to me. After all, they are the future of our profession. But what is important to civil engineering students? Hundreds of engineering students get involved every year in Engineers Without Borders because it is important to them to use their engineering skills to help others who are less fortunate. ASCE also recognizes the importance of using engineering education to better the world around us.
In the past two years, ASCE's Task Committee on Engineers Without Borders has been working towards a formalized partnership with the organization. Both ASCE and Engineers Without Borders recognize the need to educate a new generation of globally responsible engineers who better meet the challenges and needs of the developing world by offering sustainable solutions to the endemic problems faced by developing communities worldwide. Engineers of the 21st century are called to become the facilitators of sustainable development and social change. Today's civil engineering students prove they are up for the challenge. Our current students and future members are already choosing to participate in this effort and a formal partnership between ASCE and this fast-growing organization will strengthen this existing bond. I see Engineers Without Borders as a funnel for students to come to ASCE. A good percentage of those involved are civil engineering students and it is important that ASCE pay attention to where these students are going after graduation. In the past few weeks, ASCE has received requests from Sections and Branches for state public affairs grants to jump start Engineers Without Borders projects in their areas.
Have you ever been involved in a project through Engineers Without Borders? I'd like to hear more about the project and how you got involved, so please send me your comments.