Write a short essay (as defined previously) in which you describe an aspect of humanitarian engineering (as briefly introduced in Section 1.3.3) and explain why it has particular meaning to you personally.

Transcribed Image Text:

Humanitarian Engineering An area of particular interest as we look to the future of engineering is "humanitarian engineering." Humanitarian engineering is the practice of engineering under constraints designed to meet the needs of marginalized or underserved groups. Clearly, wealth and opportunity are spread unequally across the world, and there are many who suffer because they lack basic necessities of life. Engineering can play an important role in improving the quality of life at home and abroad, and we have a responsibility as a profession to use our training and skills to help others (e.g.. see Figure 1.2). Successful efforts must be sustain- able and must interface with and respect the local culture. It is not necessary to choose between the bottom line (profit) and humanitarian goals. Rather, we seek solutions that benefit people, protect the planet, and are economically and technically sustainable. Figure 1.2 A chemical engineering student from Brigham Young University talks to villagers in Peru about a fuel system that students are installing in their village (courtesy of Jeff Ashton)