KU to host Engineers Without Borders regional conference


LAWRENCE — More than 150 engineering professionals and students are expected at the University of Kansas School of Engineering for the annual Engineers Without Borders Midwest Regional Conference, set for Friday, Nov. 8, to Sunday, Nov. 10, at Eaton Hall.

Engineers Without Borders is a nonprofit humanitarian organization whose chapters partner with developing communities worldwide to improve their quality of life. The Midwest region is composed of 17 student and seven professional chapters in Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.

The conference will feature sessions covering topics such as solar power, water filtration, mixing concrete and surveying, as well as tips for building a stronger student or professional EWB chapter, including recruiting members and fundraising.

“Everyone gets to see how other chapters do things – how they handle their projects and how they operate, and that’s a big benefit,” said Jessica Haberstock, conference organizer and senior in architectural engineering at KU. “It’s a great time to make connections, share ideas and gain insight from others.”

One highlight of the conference is an address from Cathy Leslie, EWB-USA executive director.  The full conference agenda is available here.

The KU Engineers Without Borders chapter, which has more than 50 members, has an ongoing project assisting a remote Bolivian village with sanitation and clean water needs. The chapter also makes an annual trip to New Orleans to help rebuild in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. In addition, KU EWB members have assisted the tornado-ravaged communities of Joplin, Mo., and Moore, Okla.

Thu, 11/07/2013

author

Cody Howard

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Cody Howard

School of Engineering

785-864-2936