Engineers Without Borders is a student organization which, like Doctors Without Borders, is attempting to make the world a better place, helping those in need.
EWB is seeking to raise money with a variety of fundraisers to improve the quality of life of those in Third World countries.
This semester, they are raising money to build a new well and water filtration system for a small village in Mexico. Future projects include a solar energy product for a Nigerian hospital.
Doann Nguyen, president of EWB, said the group knows that the cost may be steep, but worth it.
“We hope to visit to the country where our project will take place to assess their resources,” Nguyen. “Then we’ll come back and hit the drawing boards, crunch some numbers, and draft an implementation plan. Then we hope to implement our solution to better the lives of the community. We hope that through our efforts, we plan to bring a more worldly dimension to the OSU student body.”
The group members are helping the local community.
“[We are also working] with Stillwater middle schools to encourage students to participate in science fairs,” Nguyen said.
Engineers Without Borders formally became a campus organization last fall.
Dr. Karen High, an associate professor of the engineering school, said she is excited to be chosen as EWB’s faculty adviser.
“For several years, I had been thinking that an Engineers without Borders Chapter would be a good opportunity for our students to have,” High said. “I have always felt that it was important that students use their engineering expertise to provide service to society. I imagine that the students knew of this interest that I had, so that is why they asked me.”
High said she believes she will bring several strengths to the organization as it continues to grow.
“EWB students will need (…) organization to handle all of the tasks that are ahead - fundraising, community service to Stillwater, project management to develop their overseas project, increasing membership, learning about other cultures and travel arrangements, to name a few,” High said.
Vice President Tyler Weirick explained what EWB has planned for fundraising.
“We’re having our next Souper Tuesday fundraiser [today], from 11:45 p.m. — 12:30 p.m. outside of Engineering North 108. We’ll be selling two types of homemade soup for $3 a cup,” Weirick said.
With about 15 due-paying members, High believes one of the biggest concerns is student involvement.
“The students are going to need to get more people involved in the organization if they are going to tackle a large international project,” High said.
“The students that are part of the organization are absolutely fantastic young people, people that I am very proud to be associated with, but they need help.”
Nguyen agreed, and hopes that any person that is interested will come see what the organization has to offer.
“Our next general meeting is Feb. 18th at 6:00 p.m. in Engineering North 107 — everyone is invited, whether you’re an engineer or not,” Nguyen said. “It doesn’t take an engineer to help with fundraisers, logistics and marketing.”
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