MONTREAL/April 17, 2002—
In an effort to break technology barriers between developed and third-world countries, students of the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science will launch a Concordia chapter of Engineers without Borders (EWB) at an inaugural conference today at 6 pm at Concordia University, 1400 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West in the DeSeve Cinema.
The Concordia chapter, only the second in Quebec, was co-founded by third-year students, Hany Sarhan, Mark Vukadin Seidah and Patrice Desdunes, in response to an overwhelming demand on campus. Its mandate will be outlined at the conference, which will also feature two industry keynote speakers: Hany Moustapha, Manager of Technical Programs at Pratt & Whitney Canada, and Robert Collins, of STMicroelectronics, who specializes in demining (the removal of explosive land mines) in his spare time.
EWB is dedicated to bridging the technological gap between modern societies and the third world by addressing and eliminating deeply rooted inequalities.
EWB fosters collaboration between engineers and engineering students, who combine their specialized skills, creativity and research solutions to implement practical projects in the developing world. As members, senior students benefit from practical work and research experience, worldwide networking opportunities and travel, by participating in specific multidisciplinary projects intended for implementation in a developing country.
"We are proud that our engineering students want to make a difference by contributing to the well being of people in developing countries, while applying their professional expertise," says Nabil Esmail, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science.
ìEWB members aren't motivated by monetary gain, but by the self-satisfaction that comes from the potential of having a lasting impact on the developing world,î adds EWB Concordia Chapter president Sarhan. ìImagine helping to develop a water purifier, or being a part of a group of students building a wind-powered generator for an entire village.î
Current on-going EWB endeavors include the Light Up The World rollout project, which involves construction and installation of low-energy lighting units and pedal generators in Yedamadu, Bangalore, India, and the concept phase project to develop a water purification and energy production plant in Chile. Involving the removal of heavy metals from the village water sources in Molinos ñ in the Atacama Desert region of Chile ñ the project will lead to reduction of excessive arsenic levels in water tables.
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