New partnerships linking universities and NGO's on education for development engineering - Case study from engineers without borders Australia

Abstract

The role of engineers in overcoming the significant challenges of local, national and international sustainable community development is now well established. Designing and implementing curricula for engineering students that emphasises this role, encourages deep technical understanding and develops appropriate graduate attributes is a complex task faced by curriculum designers and academics. Supporting this curriculum development is an emerging body of knowledge around beneficial teaching and learning strategies, as well as an increasing understanding of the importance of engaging students with real world problems in order to encourage strong educational outcomes. Through an active partnership between a number of Australian universities and the non-government organisation (NGO) Engineers Without Borders Australia (EWBA) these strategies have been used to create innovative curricula content and delivery methodologies for development engineering learning. Engineers Without Borders Australia is a not-for-profit member-based NGO founded in 2003. EWBA works in partnership with developing communities in Australia and South- and South-East Asia to gain access to the self-identified knowledge, resources and appropriate technologies needed to improve their livelihoods. EWBA focuses on developing the capacity of the local technical sector through small scale, grassroots engineering program. These programs aim to ensure that innovative, appropriate and sustainable solutions to issues that impede development are locally generated and driven. To achieve these objectives EWBA works across five areas; Member Engagement, Curriculum and Research (C&R), Leadership and Training, Knowledge Centre and Community Development. This paper provides an overview of EWBA's university-based Curriculum and Research initiatives, the objectives and structure of the new university partnerships and how they are being implemented by a number of Australian universities to support their curricula and diverse student learning. Case studies from specific engagements at six university partners are provided, outlining the benefits for faculty staff and students, EWBA and community partners and organisations. Show more