Investigating Gains from EWB-USA Involvement

Abstract

Engineers Without Borders USA has been operating and evolving since 2002. As an organization with many student and professional chapters working around the world, EWB-USA has put in place structures to review proposed community programs as well as specific engineering projects. The Application Review Committee, or ARC, considers new program proposals put forward by communities, while Technical Advisory Committees, or TACs, evaluate implementation plans for infrastructure projects. ARC and TAC members are volunteers with relevant technical knowledge and experience, many of whom are also EWB-USA chapter members. EWB-USA technical and chapter relations staff review progress at key points in the project cycle; however, this paper reviews the mainly volunteer efforts at two important moments in the project process. The Application Review Committee (ARC) The Application Review Committee is made up of volunteer members and EWB-USA staff with relevant experience in engineering, international development or both. Each new application from a community seeking assistance is assigned to an ARC team consisting of three persons: a volunteer ARC lead with extensive experience reviewing new applications, a volunteer member of EWB-USA, and an EWB-USA staff member. The team receives the program application, provides guidance on specific aspects of the application, and decides whether to approve or decline each application. Over time, the application process itself has shifted from project-oriented to program-centered. The difference is crucial; rather than soliciting applications for specific engineered projects such as road building, water supply or solar power, EWB-USA is seeking to establish relationships with developing communities, and to collaborate with those communities to determine how the engineering skills of a chapter might be applied to address local needs. An EWB-USA chapter is expected to make a minimum five-year commitment to a community to enhance the likelihood that any specific intervention will have met its objectives and be durable and useful over time. Each chapter will make several visits to its partner community over the course of its engagement; first assessing problems, then implementing solutions, and finally monitoring project outcomes. Because the focus has shifted to community-identified needs rather than specific infrastructure projects, the application and review process is now directed towards establishing the capacity of an applicant community, in conjunction with its NGO or governmental partners, to communicate with a chapter and provide logistical support for visits, as well as the local and regional availability of material, labor support,

Engineering to Help Communities or Students’ Development? An ethnographic case study of an engineering-to-help student organization

“…In a recent study of EWB members from across the US, the practicality of solving real-world problems was one of the top few gains of participants in EWB. 31 Cross-cultural opportunity: Another major motivator is the allure of cross-cultural experiences in which members can take part. A study of the benefits of EWB found that "80% of respondents reported that they developed a greater appreciation for other cultures" from their involvement with their EWB chapter.…”

Aspectos comportamentais na gestão de projetos: uma análise bibliométrica (1988-2014)

“…Fong & Chu (2006) utilize practices of sharing to improve the effectiveness of knowledge sharing in which assertiveness lies in the efficiency of sharing practices of tacit knowledge with information and communication technology, mentoring, coaching or learning programs. Litchfield & Javernick-Will (2014) investigate the international organization "Engineer Without Borders (EWB) to learn the perceptions about knowledge an engineer must have, the gaps of which exist in member's experiences as well as advantages for the professional and personal development of engineers during the membership process in the organization.…”

Perspectives of Engineers on Ethical Dilemmas in the Workplace

“…For example, women comprise 40% of the professional members of EWB-USA. 34 Given the large number of different engineering degree disciplines that were reported by survey respondents, two clusters of similar degrees were created to aid analysis: ME+ included aerospace and mechanical engineering; CE+ included civil, construction, and architectural. A number of individuals had degrees in multiple areas, which is not surprising given that half of all of the individuals possessed both undergraduate and graduate degrees.…”