Rice University Engineers Without Borders

Engineers Without Borders - USA Overview

Engineers Without Borders - USA (EWB-USA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to engineering service in less developed nations. The organization's overarching goal is to develop plans for providing basic needs to communities around the world. Through this, students will develop hands-on skills not taught in the classroom, all while serving communities in need. EWB Logo

In April of 2000, EWB-USA was founded by Bernard Amadei, a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Colorado. Since then, other chapters have been formed and a variety of projects have been developed for communities all over the world. The national organization organization continues to expand and is now composed of nearly 80 university chapters.

Rice Engineers Without Borders Overview

The Rice University Chapter of Engineers Without Borders (Rice-EWB) was chartered in April, 2003 by students Abigail Watrous, Michael Higuera, and Tamar Losleben. The chapter is officially affiliated with the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department and is advised by faculty member Dr. Matt Fraser and staff member Robert Dawson. A board of 13 students runs the chapter.

The Rice EWB Mission Statement is as follows:

The Rice University Chapter of Engineers Without Borders is a student-run organization dedicated to collaboration with communities in the developing world aimed at provided sustainable and culturally appropriate engineering solutions that improve quality of life without harming society or environment while forming strong intercultural relationships and understanding. Through these projects, Rice-EWB encourages the development of socially and environmentally conscious engineers with outstanding leadership skills and practical, hands-on, international engineering experience.

Rice-EWB has grown tremendously and now has over 75 active members, four international engineering projects in three countries, and a budget of approximately $40,000. Rice-EWB, one of the most active and established chapters in the country, was most recently awarded the 'Most Appropriate Technology Award' at the 2007 EWB-USA National Conference. For more information on Rice-EWB, please use the list of links on the left sidebar.

In addition to the Rice University student chapter, there are two professional chapters in the Houston area:EWB-Houstonand EWB-JSC.

EWB-USA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt corporation. EWB-USA is also a member of the Engineers Without Borders - International network.