Location:

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Haifa, Israel

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Summer

Program Overview

Program Description:

Technion’s Engineers Without Borders Chapter is leading the international program Engineering for Developing Communities (EDC), conducted entirely in English. This unique multidisciplinary four-week program provides students with real-life field work experience in small-scale sustainable community planning and development. The program is open to talented undergraduate students studying engineering, science, architecture, medicine, economics and any other field relevant to community development. Subjects related to sustainable community development, public health, infrastructure, renewable and low cost energy, and other related topics are covered. The 2016 EDC summer course, in its fifth year, will take place in Mekelle, Ethiopia. In previous years it was given in remote communities in Nepal, China, and Bedouin communities in Israel’s Negev region.

Study and practice sustainable community development. Learn appropriate and sustainable technologies, infrastructure, public health and community planning. Explore communities’ energy needs and technology solutions in developing communities, such as solar panel components, wind power, turbine construction, energy briquettes, and bio-reactors for production of bio-gas. Get acquainted with Ethiopia's culture, language, geography, and people through field trips, activities, and events. Design and build real life projects to address needs in Kathmandu Valley communities.

Gain hands-on learning experience applying theoretical knowledge to real world situations, combined with extensive classroom and laboratory instruction in community building and development, public health, renewable and low cost energy, and other topics. Students learn technology and techniques applicable in both rural, developing communities and in developed countries as part of larger projects and industry. Knowledge gained can be applied to programs and coursework at students' home universities and will aid students in their future academic or professional careers.

Setting Description:

The Engineering for Developing Communities program provides a hands-on, life learning experience enabling students to apply fundamental and theoretical knowledge to real world situations. The program challenges students to approach problems with innovative thinking and provides them with multi-disciplinary tools to address a wide range of engineering and development challenges. The program introduces students to appropriate technology and techniques that can be applied to both rural developing communities setting as well as to larger engineering and environmental projects in developed countries. By learning and working as part of a team, students will hone their skills and knowledge in a variety of subjects and gain practical field experience which they can directly apply to programs and coursework back at their home universities and bring projects and ideas to life for the benefit of the overall good.

Additional Program Information

Scholarships:

Yes

Scholarships Description:

Merit based Scholarships