Introduction to EWB-UK ewb-uk

1. Introduction to EWB-UK www.ewb-uk.org

2. Contents • History • EWB-UK: why? • Structure • What do we do? • Training • Research • Placements • Bursaries • Professional network

3. History • The idea behind Engineers Without Borders is not new. • EWB was first started in France over 20 years ago and has been active in Spain for over 12 years. • The EWB idea was copied in Canada in 2000, and in the UK in 2001. • EWB-UK has no affiliations with any other EWB, but is building a relationship with ISF in Spain, and investigating others.

4. EWB-UK: why? • Many students and graduates want to get involved in development work… • … but it is difficult to gain experience in this field. • EWB-UK aims to exploit the skills of students while educating them about development work; to provide the development and relief sectors with the professional people they need and to increase awareness of development among all engineers. • EWB-UK is not directly operational and does not seek to usurp existing organisations. To facilitate human development through engineering

5. EWB-UK: what do we do? • Training & teaching: EWB-UK arranges courses, seminars, workshops and other activities to teach students about and expose them to development theory and practice. • Research: EWB-UK aims to promote, arrange and fund research into overseas development issues, both technological and social. • Placements: EWB-UK gives those truly interested in development the opportunity to work with experienced professionals on real projects. • Bursaries: to provide funding for self-initiated research and overseas projects.

6. EWB-UK: structure • EWB-UK is run by a national “core” of volunteers, currently based in Cambridge. • In addition to this small group EWB-UK consists of a number of university branches, active in their particular area. • The branches contribute to the whole of EWB-UK’s work, such as corporate fundraising and organising projects, as well as providing activities for EWB university members. • We have a board of trustees who determine the policy and direction of EWB-UK. It is comprised of five experienced professionals and five students/recent graduates. • We are also seeking funding for full-time employees.

7. Training and teaching • Each EWB-UK branch arranges talks by experts in the field of development. • EWB-UK branches are starting to set up practical training courses for those interested in development work. • The next training courses run by EWB-UK in conjunction with members of RedR Cambridge will be at Clare Farm, near Cambridge, on 27-29 Oct 2006

8. Training at branches • EWB Imperial: ‘Energy for the Developing World’ training course. • EWB Birmingham and EWB Cardiff: visits to the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales. • EWB Cambridge: visit to Cranfield University for a ‘Pump Construction Day’. • EWB-UK and Objective Security: security training course for placement students going to Rwanda, Nigeria and Nepal.

9. Research • EWB-UK works with universities and other organisations to promote research on aspects of development work. • This year we will publish a list of possible university projects on our website for students and supervisors to take up. • One of our longest-running collaborations has been with Shelter Centre, a humanitarian aid agency based in Cambridge. • Shelter Centre supports the transitional settlement and shelter of populations affected by conflict and natural disasters. • This project has involved: students volunteering in their vacations, students performing research as part of a degree or PhD, and graduates working full-time.

10. EWB-UK Placements EWB-UK placements enable volunteers to make effective contributions to a development organisation and its beneficiaries and offer valuable experience in the development sector.

11. Placements • EWB-UK placements are run with UK and overseas NGOs to assist them with technical problems, design and research. • Most placements are for 2-3 months in the summer vacation but some last up to a year. • Placements are open to students and recent graduates who are residents in the UK. • Began in 2002 when two students went to Pondicherry in India, involved in researching the potential for the use of solar power. • 2005 placements included…

12. 2006 Placements Summer placements: 31 opportunities with partner organisations in the UK and overseas. Suitable for undergraduates or postgraduates with a strong interest in development work. Projects in a number of fields including renewable energy, small-scale appropriate technology, environmental research and more. Year-long placements: 3 opportunities overseas for graduates with a strong commitment to development work. Projects include rural road construction, solid waste management and wind power.

13. 2006 Placements - levels Entry-level: The project is mainly suitable for 1st to 3rd year undergraduates or above, or those with limited experience. Intermediate-level: The project is mainly suitable for 2nd to final year undergraduates or above, and will require some specific skills. Advanced-level: The project is mainly suitable for 3rd to final year undergraduates or above, and will require quite specialised skills and experience. These categories are a guide only.

14. 2006 Placements information Summer placements are for 10-12 weeks over the summer vacation (roughly late June/early July until September). Year-long placements start in summer 2006. Placements are open to students and recent graduates (up to 4 years from graduation) who are UK residents. Selected interns are responsible for arranging their travel preparations and finalising project details themselves. This is done in conjunction with the EWB-UK placements team placements@ewb-uk.org All placement students MUST attend a training course at Clare Farm, near Cambridge. Some projects may require additional training eg. security awareness, which will be provided by EWB-UK.

15. 2006 Placements information Placements are NOT a holiday – you will be expected to work hard. All placements will require very thorough research and preparation to be done in the UK before departure. Some will need you to learn new skills such as languages. On your return you will have to complete publicity and technical reports as appropriate and complete an extensive evaluation form. You will also have to give presentations about your experiences as part of EWB events. Some of these projects could lead to further research in the UK, for example as a final year project.

16. 2006 Placement costs Summer overseas placements: EWB-UK provides grants of between 50% and 67%of the total placement cost. The remainder of money must be fundraised personally by chosen placement students – usually in the region of £400-800 but may be more. Summer UK placements: Basic living costs are fully funded by EWB-UK. Year-long overseas placements: Fully funded through EWB-UK although the intern will be expected to join the UK fundraising team to raise funds for the project. Personal contribution should be no more than for a summer placement.

17. Application procedure Applications open February 2007 for next year’s summer placements. Candidates will be selected based on the evidence in the application form and interview of their technical and social suitability for the placement and their potential future contribution to development.

18. Bursaries • The EWB-UK bursary scheme has been created to provide funding for self-initiated projects: • UK-Based Research Projects: Costs associated with research in the area of development engineering, at the level of undergraduate course projects, Masters/PhD projects, or independent research. • Non-EWB-UK Proposed Overseas Placement: Expenses associated with the applicant undertaking an overseas placement self-organized outside of the standard EWB-UK placement process. • www.ewb-uk.org/bursaries

19. Bursaries in 2005 • Successful applications included: • Waste Management, Kilns & Water Filters; Guatemala • Improved Household Water Storage Solutions in Low-Income Countries; Bolivia & UK • Eritrean Stove Optimisation; Eritrea & UK • Data Analysis & Software Support for Soil Erosion Management; Vietnam

20. Professional Network • In order to make best use of the skills of professional engineers EWB-UK has set up a Professional Network for practising engineers and other professionals to support and augment the work of EWB-UK. • The professional branch will offer support to the organisation and its projects, and give professionals the opportunity to get involved with EWB and development work in a constructive manner. • So far professionals have already helped run training courses, assisted with interviews for placements and bursaries, reviewed project proposals and mentored projects. • www.ewb-uk.org/profnetwork

21. Other activities… • Local fundraising, events and socials at branches. • Promoting development education as part of university courses. • Joint events between branches to help people get to know each other. • And your ideas! We are always open to suggestions about where we should be heading and what we should be doing, so get involved and let us know....

22. enquiries@ewb-uk.org for questions about EWB-UK in general www.ewb-uk.org