The Global Engineering Innovations (GEI) program was started by Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology (INBT) to give Hopkins-trained engineers the chance to solve the community problems of developing nations. Now in its third year, INBT seeks new applicants for the next round of projects.
"As a part of GEI, I was able to collaborate with the staff of the Indonesian nonprofit Kopernik—some of the coolest, most passionate people I have ever met," said Sakina Girnary, biomedical engineering (Class of 2015). "The interactions I had with the warm and friendly locals felt truly genuine, and the work we carried out was the most fulfilling I have ever accomplished in my life."
DSCF9434-webINBT has obtained university funding to annually support two engineering mission teams composed of two to four students at a variety of international host sites. Teams will have two mentors: one from the Johns Hopkins faculty and one from the host site. Together, they will develop budgets, timelines, and project plans to address a problem identified at a host location. Once teams, mentors, and challenges are defined, the team or team leader will travel to site to further evaluate the challenge and design constraints. Returning to Baltimore, the teams will meet to further research the challenge and brainstorm potential solutions.
The Global Engineering Innovation program gives Johns Hopkins' graduate students and select undergraduates an opportunity to investigate and tackle engineering challenges in the developing world. The JHU School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) will be consulted so that students will be aware of the social and political atmosphere that may impact utilization and potential distribution of the engineering solutions.
Applications are now being accepted for Global Engineering Innovation projects designed to give Johns Hopkins' graduate students and select undergraduates an opportunity to investigate and tackle engineering challenges in the developing world. Undergraduate and graduate opportunities are available.
CIMG1403-webJohns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology has funding for five additional students to join a team working on a Fish Dryer and Rice Harvesting machine for rural East Java, Indonesia. The team is mentored by Professor Jennifer Elisseeff and partnering with Kopernik, a nonprofit that balances a philanthropic and business approach to distributing technology in last-mile communities around the world. The team will have to build prototypes to be tested at the end of this summer in Indonesia.
To be eligible to apply, undergraduate and graduate students should be public health or engineering majors (other majors will be considered if a fit is evident based on application material). Students available this summer are particularly encouraged to apply.
To apply for this unique opportunity, submit an application to Ashanti Edwards at ashanti@jhu.edu.
After the new team is defined, its members will immediately start contributing to the development of the prototype, which will be tested this summer. If the test is successful, potential avenues of translation will be investigated with advisory board members with relevant experience.
If you have additional questions, please contact Makesi Paul (mpaul18@jhu.edu), Yunuscan Sevimli (yunuscan.sevimli@jhu.edu), or Sakina Girnary (sakinagirnary@gmail.com), for more information on the application process.
http://inbt.jhu.edu/2014/05/16/applications-now-being-accepted-for-global-engineering-innovation/
