Placement volunteers testing the completed 'PowerPal' pico-hydro unit in the rain in Sri Lanka
The best photographs taken by engineers who used their skills to build vital amenities in third world countries are on display at a three-day exhibition at London’s Imperial College this week.
In a show aiming to inspire more young technicians to follow their lead, 14 engineering students will present pictures they took while working in countries including Tanzania, Sri Lanka and Nepal, chronicling how their efforts improved the lives of residents through the creation of wells, rainwater harvesters and other structures.
Organisers from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) picked the participants from more than 1,000 entries as part of the Engineers Without Borders (EWB) scheme, a student-led charity which helps young people learn about the industry’s role in developing countries.
The assembling of a wind turbine on top of the tower before its completion in Buli, Philippines
“These images demonstrate precisely how important engineering is to the lives of people living in developing countries,” said IMechE’s Colin Brown. “The reality is that not all countries are privilege to the amenities of the western world and the volunteer work undertaken by engineering students is crucial in helping them.
“By hosting the undergraduate exhibition at IMechE, we are raising the profile of the excellent contribution by young engineers.”
Lily Ryan-Collins works with members of the El Abra community in Ecuador to construct a chimney for a new cooking stove being demonstrated in the community
The exhibition is promising a “grand finale” at IMechE’s headquarters on London’s Birdcage Walk at 5.45pm on Wednesday (January 21 2009), featuring talks by Director of Engineering Colin Brown, EWB Chief Executive Andrew Lamb and photographer Richard Cuncliffe.
“The work presented at the exhibition expresses how students have applied the engineering skills they have learned to make a difference to the lives of real people,” said Cuncliffe. “I hope it will inspire more engineering students to lend their skills to development.”
Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7. Call 020 7589 5111 for details.
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